New Year New Threats

Start the year off safe

Author

The Help Desk
January 02, 2024

Dear Readers,

It’s a new year, and as technology continues evolving to make our lives easier, it also makes it easier than ever to be a victim of a hacker. Let’s look at threats currently being used and ways to avoid them.

How bad guys steal money from your Iphone:

  • A former thief, revealed his tactics for stealing iPhones to access bank accounts. He exploited vulnerabilities in phone security, particularly targeting college students. Targets would be tricked into sharing their phones and passcodes. Then the thief would quickly disable tracking and use Face ID for financial gains. These methods led to substantial earnings, prompting Apple to enhance security features in their upcoming iOS update.

Uncle Sam’s tips on avoiding scams:

  • For 2024, consider New Year's resolutions to combat scams. Be cautious when sharing personal information, especially in response to unsolicited requests. Use strong, unique passwords and consider a password manager. Be careful with QR codes, which can be manipulated by scammers. Protect your social media profiles by adjusting privacy settings and monitoring your friends list.

FBI warning about elder fraud:

  • A former FBI and CIA Director and his wife were targeted in a Jamaican lottery scam. The couple's experience highlights the importance of vigilance against such scams, which often involve bogus lotteries or romance ruses, leading to significant financial losses for older Americans. They stress the need for families and caregivers to protect the elderly, who may be more vulnerable due to traits like trustworthiness or loneliness.

Woman tricked out of life savings by hackers:

  • A senior citizen in Florida was defrauded of $21,000 through a sophisticated bank scam involving Bitcoin. Scammers, masquerading as her bank, coerced her into transferring her savings to Bitcoin ATMs. Authorities emphasize the need for caution and urge potential victims to report similar incidents to the relevant authorities.

These threats are becoming an increasing certainty in the digital age for the senior community. Knowing about them can help to prevent being an easy target. A few takeaways to avoid these situations: never share your passwords, do not over share personal information with strangers, and always consult directly with a trusted family member or local banker before moving large sums of money. Overall, stay informed and vigilant to safeguard against digital threats.

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Stay informed,

The Help Desk

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