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Quick Overview

• Sharing Scam Knowledge Over the Holidays

• FBI Issues Warning to Seniors on Tech Support and …

  • How to Protect Yourself from this Tech Scam

  • How to Report this Tech Scam

Sharing Scam Knowledge Over the Holidays

The holidays are here!🎄For many, it means getting to see loved ones and catching up on the year.

This holiday, I urge you to help drive awareness of scams to everyone you know. It’s estimated that scammers will steal over $1 Trillion globally in 2024, making it one of the largest transfers of wealth.

Did you know that nearly 1 in 10 older Americans report experiencing some type of fraud? These scams can range from online phishing to more sophisticated schemes.

Yes, scammers frequently target seniors, but every age is a target for these criminals. This year, dozens of teenagers committed suicide over sextortion scams and countless adults drained their bank accounts in romance scams.

What can we do to stop these scammers from winning? Talk about these scams. Awareness and education is key to stay one step ahead of the scammers. Especially with the rise of AI and deepfake technology.

This week, I’m covering a recent warning put out by the FBI. Here’s a video the FBI has on their YouTube in hopes of driving awareness.

Stay safe out there,

FBI Issues Warning to Seniors on Tech Support and Government Impersonation Scams

Last week, the FBI Office in Columbia, South Carolina issued a warning of a rise in tech support and government impersonation scams that are targeting seniors. So far this year, seniors in South Carolina reported losses of more than $9 million to tech support scams. Sadly, it’s estimated that less than 15% of victims report scams, which means this number could be as high as $60 million.

The FBI is currently investigating cases where scammers are targeting elderly people in South Carolina. They are telling these individuals to sell their cash and buy gold bars, which couriers will pick up, to fix fake problems with devices and financial accounts. This scam is happening throughout the state and has been reported across the country.

According to the FBI, this is typically what’s occurring with these scams:

• Scammers pose as tech support from a legitimate company (Microsoft, Apple, etc…) and contact victims through computers or other devices connected to the internet and inform victims that there is an issue with their device.

• Next, the scammers provide victims with a number to call. Victims that call the number are ensured the problem can be repaired. Then, scammers warn victims that their financial accounts have been hacked and their money should be moved to a third-party account or transitioned to another currency - gold, bitcoin, etc..

• The scammer then connects them to another scammer posing as a government official or bank representative who can help them resolve the financial issues. This step helps criminals legitimize the scheme and gain victims’ trust.

• Victims are then instructed to liquidate assets into cash and/or purchase gold or other precious metals to be picked up by couriers at their homes or other locations. Scammers may also instruct victims to wire money to other accounts under their control.

• Some scammers provide passcodes to victims and instruct them to state the passcode prior to handing off the gold/precious metals. In addition, some scammers are sending fake documents on what appears to be U.S. Government letterhead to further legitimize the scam, and the involvement of multiple people.

How to Protect Yourself from this Tech Scam

The FBI suggests the following to protect yourself from being a victim:

• Do not click on unsolicited popups, links through text messages, or e-mail links and attachments.

• Do not contact unknown numbers provided to you in communications.

• Do not authorize unknown individuals access to your computer.

• Do not download software at the request of unknown individuals.

• Do not meet with unknown individuals to deliver cash or precious metals.

• Know that U.S. Government agencies will not request that you wire money, cryptocurrency, send precious metals, or purchase gift cards to mitigate an alleged issue with your finances or digital devices.

• Slow down before taking action. Scammers depend on victims to make quick decisions.

• Visit a financial institution in person to inquire about the alleged activity.

How to Report this Tech Scam

If you’ve been a victim of this scam, it’s important to report it. The FBI can try to help find the scammers and can alert others of the scam.

Here are two links to keep handy:

1. Contact your local FBI office

2. Report a cyber crime