Phishing and Phone Scams

Creation date: 6/27/2019 3:20 PM Updated: 7/16/2024 1:51 PM

We have been made aware that scammers have been targeting our work numbers pretending to be a reputable company such as Apple. This is very common and you may have already experienced calls like this on your cell phone as well. I have written some information, tips and links for more information because scammers are not always obvious. Do not ever provide private or financial information over when someone calls, sms, emails, or messages you on social media. Here is a video about Vishing or voice phishing

If you are in need of contacting companies for personal reasons, always call the number listed on the company’s website. Do not call the number the caller gives you. This number probably just dials them. Please be discerning about search engine results when you search for a company, as these answers can be manipulated by the same criminals. Please use your judgement when you search for a company and make sure it is the official site and not another scam site that claims to be the company.

Scammers can initiate contact over email, sms, fraudulent advertisements on websites, telephone calls, and messages on social media.
Do not send anyone money via Western Union.
Do not let anyone besides our department remotely control your pioneer equipment.
Be wary if someone is demanding you pay in gift cards, because this is a common way for scammers to acquire gift cards to resell at a discount for cash.
Please be careful when submitting payments and make sure they are through official sources for the particular company. If you have a history with the company you should be aware of what is normal.
Do not enter your password without first looking at the domain of the website. Phishing scams links will always try to replicate official looking sites. Also be sure that you are trying to give this entity access to your account if you are trying to link accounts.

If you wish to protect your personal accounts with Gmail, Instagram, Facebook etc, you may wish to enable two factor authentication, or 2FA. This protects you in the event that you do accidentally divulge your password, that they also need your 2FA device to login to your account. This video shows you how to use google authenticator 2fa for your google account. Google Authenticator can be used for many websites such as Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox, Twitter, Amazon, and Wordpress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVIxzH4EWmA Microsoft has an authenticator app that even allows you to never have to use a password on a personal Microsoft account again and can be used for these same sites listed earlier.

Here is a FTC link about recognizing and avoiding phishing scams

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams

Here is the youtube video URL about “Vishing”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vHrzxhoZT0

Article about specifically this apple scam call.

https://macfinesse.com/the-latest-scam-is-from-applecare-tech-support/

Article on couple who lost $130k on wire scam when they thought their realtor emailed them.

Here is a list of common technology companies and their respective contact website to show you examples of legitimate sites.

Phishing and Phone Scams

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