Summary The DocuSign service is a cloud document service typically for contracts or financial documents. The service is typically used by an agency or business to have documents signed such as tax returns, employment contracts, etc. When a person establishes a DocuSign account, the documents they have signed are saved in the person’s account. Scammers… Continue reading Fake DocuSign Emails
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Why Tap-to-Pay Is Safer Than a Credit Card Swipe
Below is a video from the Wall Street Journal about credit card payment processing security. Wall Street Journal, 17 Apr 2023 — From Apple iPhones to New York City subway turnstiles, tap-to-pay use in everyday American life is growing, thanks in part to its security and ease of use. But tap-to-pay and its small near field… Continue reading Why Tap-to-Pay Is Safer Than a Credit Card Swipe
Fake AI Ransom Calls
Summary A new type of AI-based scam involves creating a copy of someone’s voice using artificial intelligence software, and then calling a family member to pretend that the person has been abducted. The caller requests a ransom and plays the convincing fake audio of the family member. Last year, at the FBI Pittsburgh office last… Continue reading Fake AI Ransom Calls
Microsoft Fake Billing Email
Summary You may receive an email that appears to be from Microsoft about a bill. An example is below. Avoid using any links or phone numbers in suspicious emails. Instead, go to the official website to login or get support. Sample Fake Email Below is an example of a fake Microsoft email you may receive.
DreamHost Fake Email Notification
Summary DreamHost customers are the latest to be targeted by scammers. An example of a fake message is below. Message Content Appearance The colors, fonts, logo, and other branding elements are almost identical to official emails from the website hosting company DreamHost. So, they are likely to mislead people into providing their login credentials. Example… Continue reading DreamHost Fake Email Notification
Check Washing
Summary Scammers are stealing checks from the mail, chemically removing the ink, and then making the checks out to an alias name for cashing. Advice Use a black permanent ink pen that soaks into the check paper. Special pens are sold as anti-fraud pens for checks. Look for “Fraud Proof” in the description. [View Examples… Continue reading Check Washing
American Express Account Restriction Email
Summary In March 2023, an email was identified as a fake notification from American Express. Details are below. Advice As always, confirm the email sender address, and rather than clicking any links in emails, go directly to the official website. If you are on a laptop or desktop computer, hover your mouse/trackpad pointer over any… Continue reading American Express Account Restriction Email
iPhone Theft Financial Fraud Scams
Description Wall Street Journal, 24 Feb 2023: “iPhone thieves across the country are locking people out of their Apple and iCloud accounts and gaining access to Apple Pay and bank apps, draining them of thousands of dollars—sometimes before victims even know what happened. How do they do it and how can you protect yourself? WSJ’s… Continue reading iPhone Theft Financial Fraud Scams
Scam: PayPal Shipment Details Email
Summary You may receive an email claiming to provide “Details about your shipment” for a purchased paid using PayPal. This fraud usually results in the scammer trying to gain access to your PayPal account once you contact them. Action Do not reply or attempt to call the phone number provided. Use only the official PayPal… Continue reading Scam: PayPal Shipment Details Email
Citizens Bank Account Has Exceeded its Limit
Summary A common theme in banking related email scams is to notify the recipient that something is wrong with their account and request that they click a link to correct the problem. The example below is targeting Citizens Bank customers. For this and similar emails, do not reply or click any links. Do not call… Continue reading Citizens Bank Account Has Exceeded its Limit