SCAMS, HACKING & MORE ~ What To Look Out For & How To Protect yourself…
© 2023 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
(Please note that Google’s BlogSpot, the provider we use to publish this monthly column, has changed the allowable format style. So, if the column’s format looks a bit strange it’s due to Google and BlogSpot, not THE GADGETEER.)
I’ve written about email scams and hacking in previous columns, but it’s becoming more prevalent, so here’s a bit of an update.
Above, you’ll see an email that I received recently. As shown, it looks pretty official and even includes an iCloud logo. I happened to be in Beverly Hills next to an Apple store in the Beverly Centre Mall when I received it. I knew it was bogus after having *checked the available memory on my iPhone, but just to be certain I checked with Apple. Sure enough, I was told that this has become a regular scheme with scammers and to disregard and trash it at once! Since receiving this one I’ve received several others similar in content, but minus the iCloud image logo. If you complied with their instructions you would soon be hacked and could have serious complications with using your iphone and other devices thus requiring re-establishing your account with Apple and maybe even infecting your various other accounts, files and contact information, not to mention giving them access to this info. To *check your available memory on an iPhone simply: Click on SETTINGS> GENERAL> iPHONE STORAGE. This will display how much memory you have used and how much iCloud memory you still have remaining. Android owners, let this be a warning too as you can be just as easily hacked and vulnerable!
Other scams to watch for: Shipment being held by USPS, UPS & FedEx, wanting you to contact them immediately to provide info possibly including credit card information; Purchases with a stated dollar amount having been successfully made and asking you to respond to a number, or email link if this is not your purchase. This includes phony merchants claiming to have charged purchases to your PayPal account; Bit coin purchases with a stated dollar amount asking for you to contact them to dispute the transaction if incorrect; The discontinuance of your Amazon Prime Account due to numerous attempts to charge your credit card for PRIME benefits and failing; McAfee subscription late renewal; FaceBook “MESSENGER” ~ Be on the lookout for messenges supposedly sent by friends asking how you are followed by directing you to a link where you can get some sort of financial benefit they claim they received. Simply replying to the message is enough to allow access to your device, and clicking on the link opens the possibilities even further. When hacked on FaceBook, or Messenger you will need to change your password immediately. If you’re unsure how to accomplish this on a specific device, Google for instructions listing specifics such as device type. (You’ll now need to update the new password on other devices that feature FaceBook) When in doubt with requests from merchants, etc., always contact the merchant directly and only use a phone number, or email link that you know is valid & legitimately published. Never use phone numbers, or links included in the suspected email that you received! This is what they want you to do and may result in becoming a hack victim costing you time, money and the sharing of your device’s information. Lastly, delete all such emails immediately! You can remove the displayed MESSENGER APP from your iPhone screen, however it’s not possible to remove the MESSENGER APP itself from it or your other devices. Your iPhone will still show that you have messages in the top upper right corner of the FaceBook screen. If you click on this indicator it will open up MESSENGER, something you do not want to do.
Good luck, and always STAY CYBER SAFE!
Graphic credits: Amazon & Google Images
Bob Skidmore is a freelance writer, who may be contacted at bskidmore@mac.com or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent, or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his points of view and not those of the manufacturer, or any legal resource. The manufacturer generally supplies products and press releases at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior ratings.
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