FTC warns of online task job scams hooking victims like gambling

December 13, 2024 at 02:58PM The FTC warns of a significant rise in online job scams, particularly “task scams,” which lure victims with promises of easy money through simple tasks. Reports soared from 5,000 in 2023 to 20,000 in 2024, causing losses exceeding $220 million, with a notable increase attributed to these scams. ### Meeting … Read more

FTC distributes $72 million in Fortnite refunds from Epic Games

December 10, 2024 at 12:11PM The FTC is distributing over $72 million in refunds to Fortnite players due to Epic Games’ use of misleading practices leading to unwanted purchases. The first refunds average $114 for 629,344 players. Claims can be submitted until January 10, 2025, but caution against scams is advised. ### Meeting Takeaways 1. … Read more

In Other News: OPPC Breach Impacts 1.7M, US Soldier Suspected in Snowflake Hack, Cloudflare Loses Logs

November 29, 2024 at 07:05AM This week’s cybersecurity news roundup highlights significant developments, including the doubling of a data breach affecting OnePoint Patient Care, Meta’s crackdown on scam operations, malware exploiting Avast’s software, and various vulnerability patches from notable companies. Additional stories cover hacking incidents, Cloudflare’s log loss, and recent data breaches at Keesal, Young … Read more

Meta removes over 2 million accounts pushing pig butchering scams

November 25, 2024 at 10:59AM Meta has removed 2 million accounts related to pig butchering and other scams from its platforms since the beginning of the year. ### Meeting Notes Takeaways: – **Action Taken**: Meta has removed 2 million accounts from its platforms. – **Reason for Action**: The accounts were linked to “pig butchering” and … Read more

Now BlueSky hit with crypto scams as it crosses 20 million users

November 21, 2024 at 05:32AM As BlueSky surpasses 20 million users, cryptocurrency scams are emerging, similar to those on X/Twitter. Threat actors are using misleading posts with AI-generated images and impersonating Meta branding. BlueSky’s decentralized nature complicates moderation, leading to a surge in reports of spam and scams, highlighting significant operational challenges. **Meeting Takeaways: BlueSky … Read more

Microsoft 365 Admin portal abused to send sextortion emails

November 18, 2024 at 08:14AM Scammers are exploiting the Microsoft 365 Admin Portal to send sextortion emails that bypass spam filters by using the legitimate “o365mc@microsoft.com” address. These emails claim to have compromising content and demand payment. Microsoft is investigating this abuse, but users should remain vigilant and not respond to these scams. ### Meeting … Read more

Scammers target UK senior citizens with Winter Fuel Payment texts

November 9, 2024 at 04:10PM Scammers are targeting UK seniors with fake “winter heating allowance” texts, exploiting recent government cuts to fuel payments. Fraudulent messages solicit personal and payment information via a deceptive GOV.UK lookalike site. Authorities warn recipients to avoid clicking links and report potential scams to Cyber Security and Action Fraud. ### Meeting … Read more

Norton Report Reveals Nearly Half of US Consumers Were Targeted by a Scam While Online Shopping

October 30, 2024 at 03:41PM A recent Norton report reveals that over 60% of Americans are preparing for online holiday shopping, but nearly half have faced scams. As concerns rise, Norton emphasizes the importance of taking proactive safety measures on Cyber Safety Sunday, December 1, to protect against increased online threats during the holiday season. … Read more

Voice-enabled AI agents can automate everything, even your phone scams

October 24, 2024 at 02:39AM OpenAI’s real-time voice API can enable AI agents to autonomously conduct phone scams at low costs, raising significant concerns about misuse. Researchers found that these agents could successfully execute various scams, revealing potential vulnerabilities in AI safety measures. OpenAI emphasizes its commitment to safety and monitoring to prevent abuse. **Meeting … Read more

FBI warns of fake law firms targeting crypto scam victims

June 25, 2024 at 10:18AM The FBI warns of cybercriminals masquerading as law firms and lawyers offering cryptocurrency recovery services to scam victims. They deceitfully claim collaboration with government agencies and real financial institutions to gain trust. Scammers ask for personal information, upfront fees, and taxes, resulting in victims losing over $9 million to secondary … Read more