We all know hacking is perhaps the biggest threat to our digital lives. If you feel you’re never 100% safe or secure from potential cyber scammers, that’s probably because it’s true. Not even major corporations spending millions on cybersecurity are immune from data breaches or paying ransoms.
Hackers pose a threat to corporations, governments, and individuals alike. We often write about privacy and security tips and device settings to help mitigate risk and always encourage iOS updates because they usually include security patches. We’ll continue to cover any actions you can take to help maintain your online privacy and security.
Today, we’re sharing the FBI’s warning about what NOT to do to protect you and your money from hackers.
A new hacker modus operandi (MO) is spreading across the globe, which the FBI calls “phantom hacking.” This includes a familiar strategy where scammers call individuals and pose as tech support agents that tell targets their device has been infected by a “phantom” hack (one that doesn’t actually exist) to convince their targets to give the hackers remote access to their devices.
However, this has been extended with a newer tactic, where the scammers call and impersonate your banking institution. Instead of trying to convince you that your computer has a virus or malware, they claim your bank or credit card account has been compromised and that you need to transfer your money out to a new, “safe” account.
This latest version of the phantom hack may be as simple as asking you to make a transfer within your standard banking app. However, the scheme has also evolved to direct the target to download an app to their computer or smartphone that they can use to access their bank accounts and review them for unknown transactions. This allows the hackers to identify which account contains the most money. The hacker then informs the target they’ll receive a call from the bank’s fraud department. Of course, the “fraud department” is the fraudster, who will ask them to move their money to an account controlled by the thieves.
Here’s what NOT to do online or on the phone to protect your bank and credit accounts. The rules are simple:
- Never move money at the direction of someone who has reached out to you unsolicited on the phone.
- Never send money to a person online that you’ve never met.
- Never install any app or software on your iPhone or computer after being contacted by someone claiming to be tech support or a banking representative.
- Never give an account’s login credentials (name/email/password/answers to security questions, etc.) to someone who contacted you on the phone.
- Never give control of your computer to an unknown person who has contacted you.
- Never click on unknown pop-ups, links sent via text from unknown numbers, or links in emails from an unknown address. Never download an email attachment from an unknown sender.
- Do not call any phone number provided in an unsolicited email or text.
The FBI also cautions everyone to be wary of unsolicited calls and messages, whether from a number you don’t recognize or suspicious messages on social media or dating apps. More particularly, don’t yield to the pressure these scammers will likely use to convince you to take any action. Another red flag is when scammers ask to move a conversation from one app to another, especially to an encrypted app.
When it comes to phone calls, never be afraid to hang up. If your bank needs to get a hold of you, they will — and if you’re in doubt, you can always call them using the official number published on the website or your bank statements.
Once you’re familiar with the tactics of these scammers, the most essential action you can take is to trust your gut. If you believe you’ve been victimized, report the matter to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The FBI also publishes more information about staying safe online here. Check out the video below to listen to representatives from the FBI detail these phantom hacking scams and their consequences in deeper detail.
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