Shownotes Transcript
Hey there, folks It's Scotty here, and I'm about to give you the lowdown on the latest scams that have been making headlines. As we wrap up 2024, it's clear that cybercriminals have been working overtime to come up with new ways to deceive and exploit us.Let's start with the resurgence of tech support scams. These scammers have been posing as employees from major companies like Microsoft or Apple, convincing victims that their computers are infected with viruses and then tricking them into paying for unnecessary software or granting remote access to malicious actors[1]. It's a classic tactic, but it still works, unfortunately.But that's not all. Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams have also been on the rise. These scammers use compromised emails to trick employees into transferring large sums of money or sensitive information. They've even been known to mimic the tone and communication style of company executives to make their scams more convincing[1].And then there's the world of social media, where fake profiles and scams are rampant. Cybercriminals have been using fake profiles to impersonate celebrities, influencers, and even friends, offering fake prizes, exclusive deals, or investment opportunities[1]. It's a wild west out there, folks.But here's the good news: law enforcement has been cracking down on these scammers. Just recently, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested two individuals in connection with ongoing elder fraud investigations. One of the suspects, Jirui Liu, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering[2].And if you think you're safe because you're not an elder, think again. Scammers are targeting people of all ages. Take the case of the "Amazon scam," where scammers spoof their phone number to make it look like it's Amazon calling. They'll tell you that there's a problem with your account or identity, and then try to convince you to drain your bank or retirement accounts[3].So, what can you do to protect yourself? First, be wary of any unsolicited calls or messages. If someone claims to be from a company or government agency, don't trust them unless you can verify their identity. And never, ever give out sensitive information or grant remote access to your computer.And finally, keep an eye out for fake stores and social media ads. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, scammers are using large language models (LLMs) to create fake product descriptions and boost search rankings[4]. It's a cat-and-mouse game, folks, but with a little vigilance, we can stay one step ahead of these scammers.That's all for now, folks. Stay safe out there, and remember: if it sounds too good (or bad) to be true, it probably is. Happy holidays from Scotty