Scammers continue to prove that there’s no rest for the wicked. While their goals—to get your personal information and money—remain the same year in and year out, their strategies constantly change with the times, according to experts of online casino. Fraudsters know people are most vulnerable when they’re desperate or scared, and they may use crises and pressure tactics to prey on their victims.
As in previous years, many of the latest scams in 2023 are twists on existing scams, and the measures that have protected you for years can still apply. However, watch out for a few new types of attacks curated to this article by https://www.choiceonlinecasino.com/casino-bonuses/.
Student Loan Forgiveness Scams
When student loan forgiveness applications opened in 2022, the FBI warned borrowers to watch out for scams targeting applicants. Student loan forgiveness scammers may contact you via phone or create phoney application sites aimed at stealing your Social Security number or your bank account information. They may put pressure on their victims with fake urgent messages that encourage them to apply for debt relief before it’s too late. Then they’ll charge you a hefty application fee. In reality, it’s a scam.
It costs nothing to apply for student loan forgiveness, so anyone who asks you to pay a fee is committing fraud. In addition, the U.S. Department of Education won’t contact you by phone. You can stay safe and avoid student loan forgiveness scams by going directly to the Department of Education website for information about applying for forgiveness.
One-Time Password (OTP) Bots
As an alternative to SIM swapping, some scammers are using so-called OTP bots to trick people into sharing the authentication codes that are sent to them via text or email, or that they have to look up in an authentication app or device.
The bots may initiate a robocall or send you a text imitating a legitimate company. For example, the robocall may look and sound like it’s coming from a bank. The voice asks you to authorize a charge and tells you to input the code you’re texted if it’s not one you made. In reality, the bot is attempting to log in to your account, which triggers the system to send you the code. If you share the code, the scammer can then log in to your account.
Zelle Scams
Scammers are turning to Zelle, the peer-to-peer payment app, as a means to steal people’s money. The scammer will email, text or call you pretending to work for your bank or credit union’s fraud department. They’ll claim that a thief was trying to steal your money through Zelle and that they have to walk you through “fixing” the issue. Then, they may instruct you to send the money to yourself, but the money will actually go to their account.
Cryptocurrency Scams
As cryptocurrencies continue to buzz, people may fear missing out on investment opportunities. The scams can take different forms but often involve fake prizes, contests, giveaways or early investment opportunities. The scammers may impersonate celebrities or popular cryptocurrency websites to lure victims into sending them money, sharing login information or “investing” in a project. Crypto exchange accounts have also been the target of OTP bots because you might not be able to get your crypto back if the scammer drains your account.
