Tips, tricks and scam alerts

Prime Time for Caution: A Wyoming citizen reported a scam email with the subject line "Complete your Verification tmx" from an email address "Prime ® contact_support.qhp@greatplacetowork.com.mx". The email contains a suspicious link labeled "2024PricesAreHere". CyberWyoming Note: This link likely leads to a phishing website or a malware download disguised as a verification process. Recipients are advised to avoid clicking on the link and to report the email as spam or phishing. 

Norton Knockoff: A Laramie citizen reported receiving a suspicious email with the subject line 'Transaction Confirmation Sent DPN_32071' from an unknown sender named 'Alexandra Holmes.' Despite being addressed as 'Sir,' indicating a lack of personalization, the email claims to confirm a purchase and contains an attachment labeled 'Thank You So Much for Your Business!!' The attachment preview suggests an order for a Norton Antivirus service renewal with an order number #ND00589POAEFF. However, Google flagged the attachment as suspicious, advising against opening it due to potential malware risks. This impersonal email likely aims to deceive recipients into interacting with the attachment, posing significant cybersecurity threats. There have been multiple reports of similar scams involving the impersonation of well-known brands like Norton Antivirus, indicating a broader trend that recipients may receive such emails even when not having ordered the service. CyberWyoming Note: Exercise caution with unsolicited emails, especially those containing attachments or links. Avoid opening suspicious attachments or clicking on unfamiliar links to mitigate the risk of malware infections or phishing attempts. When in doubt, verify the legitimacy of emails from unknown sources and refrain from engaging with suspicious content to safeguard personal information and devices. 

Deploying Deception: Cheyenne residents are being targeted by scammers posing as military personnel from F.E. Warren AFB, with reports of individuals adopting various personas and tactics, such as claiming to be sellers or using military-related stories to deceive victims. It's crucial to remain vigilant and recognize red flags such as requests for funds over the phone, via text, or on social media, and suspicious communication methods like email-only interactions and requests for payment via wire transfer or gift cards. To combat these scams, residents are urged to report any suspicious activity promptly, as each report is investigated by OSI to protect the community from falling victim to fraudulent schemes. 

– Brought to you by Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce 

Timeshare Tension: Mexican Cartel Targets Seniors' Timeshares: The Jalisco New Generation cartel, known for its violence, has expanded its operations to scam seniors out of their timeshares. Operating through call centers in Mexico, they pose as sales representatives offering to buy back timeshares, only to disappear after victims wire large sums of money. This scheme has netted the cartel millions and even led to the discovery of the remains of call center employees. U.S. officials warn of the sophistication of these operations, which target American and Canadian timeshare owners, sometimes through resort employees leaking guest information. Despite the risks, many victims do not report the fraud. – Brought to you by The New York Times 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/21/world/americas/mexico-timeshare-fraud-cartel.html 

Atlas VPN Closure ALERT: Atlas announces the closure of Atlas VPN, citing challenges in the cybersecurity landscape and sustainability issues. To facilitate a smooth transition, all paid subscribers will be transferred to NordVPN, a sister company of Atlas VPN, offering similar services. Details are provided for different subscription types and platforms, ensuring users understand the process. Users are encouraged to reach out for assistance or to opt out if they prefer. https://atlasvpn.com/blog/announcement 

Love, Lies, and Crypto: Online romance scams have evolved to incorporate cryptocurrency investment schemes, with criminals using "errant" text messages as a starting point to build relationships and eventually persuade victims to invest in fake crypto schemes. These scams, perpetrated by transnational criminal enterprises, have resulted in significant financial losses, with reported losses reaching $1.3 billion in 2022.  

How It Works: 

• Victims receive misleading texts, sparking conversations that lead to trust. 

• Scammers then introduce victims to cryptocurrency investments. 

What You Should Know: 

• Romance scams fuel a $1.3 billion cryptocurrency fraud industry. 

• Criminal organizations recruit and manipulate individuals for these schemes. 

What You Should Do: 

• Report suspicious texts to industry authorities. 

• Avoid engaging with unknown individuals online and refrain from clicking on unfamiliar links. 

• Verify the authenticity of communications from authorities, retailers, utility companies, or banks through trusted channels. 

–  Brought to you by AARP Fraud Network 

MS-ISAC and CISA Patch Now Alert: The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) or the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has published a patch now (update your software) alert for Google Chrome and Apple products. If you use this product, make sure the software (or firmware) is updated. 

Data Breaches in the News:  

Vans, North Face, and Ray (a popular open-source AI framework used by Amazon, Spotify, LinkedIn, Instacart, Netflix, Uber, and OpenAI).  

Note: If you have an account with one of these companies, be sure to change your password and consider placing a credit freeze on your accounts through the three credit reporting agencies: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. 

Please report scams you may experience to phishing@cyberwyoming.org to alert your friends and neighbors. 

Other ways to report a scam: 

• Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker: www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us/reportscam 

• Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection 

  • Email ag.consumer@wyo.gov 

  • Complaint form https://attorneygeneral.wyo.gov/law-office-division/consumer-protection-and-antitrust-unit/consumer-complaints 

• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/  

• Get steps to help at https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/Info-Lost-or-Stolen  

• Report your scam to the FBI at https://www.ic3.gov/Home/FileComplaint  

• Reported unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registration. Online at https://www.donotcall.gov/report.html or call 1-888-382-1222, option 3 

• Office of the Inspector General:  https://oig.ssa.gov/ 

• AARP Fraud Watch Network (any age welcome) Helpline 877-908-3360 

• IRS: report email scams impersonating the IRS to phishing@irs.gov 

• Call the Wyoming Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for assistance with potential Medicare fraud, abuse, or errors at 1 800 856-4398 

Victim Support: The AARP Fraud Watch Network and Volunteers of America (VOA) created a new, free program to provide emotional support for people impacted by a scam or fraud, called ReST. Visit www.aarp.org/fraudsupport to learn more about the free program and register.