While the world continues to navigate life during a pandemic, countless families and individuals are struggling financially. In a truly malicious response to the situation, scammers are launching phishing attacks that claim to offer financial assistance to those in need.
The phishing email impersonates your local government and it states that you are eligible to receive financial aid. You’re directed to click a link in the email for more information. If you click the link, you are taken to a phony government website. The site asks for personally identifiable information, including your social security number. Once you’ve provided this information, the site claims that you will be contacted regarding your aid. Don’t be fooled! Anything you enter here is sent directly to the cybercriminals.
Alert from KnowBe4 - Financial Assistance Scams
Jan 22, 2021 10:55:42 AM / by KnowBe4 posted in IT, security, Cyber-Security, Cybersecurity, Email Compromise, Cybercrime, Cyber Crime, Financial Relief, Phishing
Alert from KnowBe4 - Exploiting the Coronavirus: Financial Relief Scam Targeting Organizations
Aug 20, 2020 9:00:00 AM / by KnowBe4 posted in Cyber-Security, Cybersecurity, Coronavirus, Email Compromise, Business, Financial Relief, Phishing
The Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact organizations across the globe. This hardship gives cybercriminals the perfect bait: a promise of financial relief. Currently, cybercriminals are impersonating the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) with a very convincing phishing email. While this specific scam targets organizations in the US, this tactic could be used in any country, for any kind of relief fund.