We’re all familiar with tech support scams – where scammers trick the unwary into granting remote access to their computers, believing that the “tech support person” will solve a non-existent “problem” (such as a “virus infection”) or issue a refund after allegedly detecting fraudulent activity on the account.
It’s not uncommon for the scammer, who can use their honed social engineering skills when talking to their intended victim, to make it look like they’ve accidentally transferred too much money into their target’s online bank account, and tell the victim to return the extra money or the scammer will lose their job.
Many times the victim will be asked to transfer money, or put money in a gift card, or use a cryptocurrency or a money transfer application – as these are transfers that are difficult to return.
But according to A A new bulletin from the FBITech support scammers are increasingly telling their victims to send actual cash, hidden in a newspaper or magazine, through a courier company.
It’s unclear why scammers are using the rather old-school offline method of getting money, but it may have something to do with the FTC’s action against payments company Nexway, which was accused of processing fake credit card payments on behalf of tech support scammers.
Would it be a surprise if tech support scammers, deprived of their usual avenues for receiving funds, would look for other methods to help her hide payments from detection by the authorities?
Recently, according to the FBI bulletin, scammers have instructed their victims to send the packages of money to retail businesses that are able to receive packages from shipping companies on behalf of their customers.
The FBI is asking anyone who has received, or fallen for, such scams to contact FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)including details of:
- The name of the person or company who contacted you.
- Communication methods used, to include websites, emails and phone numbers.
- The address to which the cash was sent and the name of the recipient.
My guess is that most readers of security situation Not likely to fall for a scam like this. Will we really be tricked into sending hidden money in a package to a random address because someone claims to represent a legitimate company? I think it is unlikely.
But the truth is that you may have friends or relatives who are less security savvy and more vulnerable to fraud. And if they “saw” with their online eyes what appeared to be an accidental deposit into their bank account (when in fact it was manipulation of a browser window by a remote fraudster) they might find it hard to believe.
And don’t make the mistake of thinking that only the elderly can fall for tech support scams. Research from 2021 by Microsoft found out That Gen Zers (ages 18-23) and Millennials (ages 24-37) also tend to lose money to scammers.
It is vital for all of us with an interest in cyber security and online privacy to ensure that we are helping our loved ones, and those who may be more vulnerable to fraudsters than ourselves, to share advice about the tricks online fraudsters use, and to keep a watchful eye.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in this guest article are solely those of the contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Tripwire.
