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Tuesday, August 6, 2024

FBI Warns: Don't Fall for This Debit Card Scam

FBI Warns: Don't Fall for This Debit Card Scam

The FBI has issued a public service announcement warning about a fraudulent scheme where impersonators trick bank customers into surrendering their debit cards.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 6, 2024

Have you received an unexpected call from your bank about suspicious activity on your account?

Did they ask you to cut up your debit card and provide your PIN?

Here's a Cool Tip. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

In a recent public service announcement, the FBI warned about a fraudulent scheme where impersonators trick bank customers into surrendering their debit cards.

FBI Warns Against Using Public USB Charging Stations

Did you use free USB charging ports when you are out in public?

Your phone may be at risk.

Here's why.

The concern in that cables and USB ports can be modified to introduce malware into phones that connect to the charging port.

The FBI's Denver office issued this specific warning to the public to avoid using free charging stations that are commonly found in public spaces such as airports, hotels or shopping centers.

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Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead.

So what can you do to prevent this?

Keep your phone charged before you leave your home.
Bring your own USB charging cables and plug your phone directly into standard electrical outlets to charge it.
You can also use your own mobile battery charger to recharge your phone between charging using secure electrical outlets.

Criminals are always looking for ways to commit fraud.

Stay informed and aware.

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Sunday, July 30, 2017

FBI Warns Parents About Internet Connected Toys

Beware of the toys. They may be watching, listening and sharing.

That's the warning to parents from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about internet connected toys.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recently issued a statement to parents "to consider cyber security prior to introducing smart, interactive, internet-connected toys into their homes or trusted environments."

The concern is that the toys could pose identity theft and exploitation threats due to microphones, cameras and geo-location data that is improperly used, shared or stored.

The full notice is worth reading but here are a few points:

Only connect and use toys with trusted and secure Wi-Fin internet access.
Closely monitor children’s activity with the toys (such as conversations and voice recordings) through the toy’s partner parent application, if such features are available
Ensure the toy is turned off, particularly those with microphones and cameras, when not in use
Use strong and unique login passwords when creating user accounts (e.g., lower and upper case letters, numbers, and special characters)
Carefully read disclosures and privacy policies

Should we be concerned? Maybe to Probably. It can happen.

Nearly two years, we warned readers about the problem caused by one company.

In that case, Vtech a major tech toy company, poorly stored sensitive children data on the web.

So the best thing we can do is to be cautious and knowledgeable.

Source: FBI