Klipfolio’s Post

With AI generating fake job postings and fake hiring manager profiles keep this in mind.

Interesting article; strange that the Times put it in the Style section, as opposed to Business. "Digital life is cluttered with bogus text messages, spam calls and phishing attempts. You can try to block, encrypt and unsubscribe your way out of it, but you may not succeed." "Welcome to Scam World" https://lnkd.in/e3R8TnJ3 "You open your eyes and grope for your phone. You check your inbox and discover dozens of spam emails that made it past the filter. Tapping over to Instagram, you find a request for a supposed brand collaboration in your DMs. Your WhatsApp notifications, meanwhile, consist solely of strangers asking you to invest in a cryptocurrency exchange. A recruiting manager has contacted you through LinkedIn to say they are “impressed with your unique background and journey” and want to discuss “exciting job opportunities” at several Fortune 500 companies. While scrolling social media on your lunch break, you see Tom Hanks promoting a dental plan and Taylor Swift peddling a cookware giveaway. (Or at least that’s what seems to be going on.) On the way home from work, you receive a text alert from FedEx, with a tracking number and a link to update your delivery preferences — except you don’t remember any pending shipments to your home. Should you click the link? Pick up that call? Pursue that job opportunity? Is the person who texted you “hey” just now from a number you don’t recognize someone you actually know? Welcome to Scam World, the seedy layer just beneath the world we live in every day. It’s cluttered with these bogus text messages, spam calls and phishing attempts. In Scam World, any engagement with a stranger is a risk. Thanks to spoofing, for example, which cloaks the identity and location of the computer or phone being used, a call could be from a helpful customer service representative or a cyber criminal pretending to be one. The internet is moving too fast for regulators to keep up with the quickly evolving deceptions. There are political donation scams, in which someone masquerading as a campaign worker seeks a contribution. There are sextortion scams, in which a person posing as a hacker claims to have recorded you watching porn through your laptop camera. There are medical billing scams, rental scams, employment scams. Seemingly every facet of daily life now comes with its attendant scam — even death, when details in online obituaries result in identity theft. And the prospect that we may be deceived at any time “leaves us feeling vulnerable,” said Pamela Rutledge, the director of the Media Psychology Research Center in Boston. “The lack of trust means you’re not able to take information at face value,” she said. “You’ve got a heightened state of vigilance.”"

☕️ Great start to the week! This morning I had my first substandard attempt at a scam as I was enjoying my coffee. Following a recent phishing attempt this scam made sense but the execution of this attempt left a lot to be desired. ❌1/10 for execution here “Geovany”. Please take your time to check for red flags before following email instructions. These include: - Fake logo in the email - Mismatched logo in the header - Non-corporate email in the header - Separate reply email in the header - Generic email text referring to my email address rather than my personal name - Informing me about something that is easily verifiable by logging into the Coinbase application Etc. 🔍While this is probably an obvious scam to most people in my network, it might not be to some people that may make the mistake for clicking the link in this email out of curiosity. Some won’t even have a Coinbase account and will click. Please encourage people to click “Report spam” instead. 🥯Have a great week everyone and stay safe.

YOU REALLY NEED TO READ THIS. I have been SCAMMED. Beware of New Scam Tactics Targeting Job Seekers. Scammers are targeting job seekers with fake profiles, posing as HR representatives from legitimate companies. They share company websites and documents, even providing links to team pages that match the fake HR profile. Subsequently, they request to organize online meetings to discuss further. They provide meeting links or set up a calendar invitation. In my case, the link added to my calendar led to a website called "meethub.gg (SCAM) or meetone.gg (SCAM)" which requires downloading a client app for Windows/Mac/Linux. However, this client app is designed to copy and transmit encrypted data (such as blockchain wallet information) to the scammers, who then attempt to brute force passwords. Many people use simple passwords for their crypto wallets, making them easy targets. I strongly advise against this. It's crucial to use complex password. Don't think this is the only site. Scammers may change the site's name or create multiple sites to deceive victims. Avoid searching online about these sites, as scammers often populate social media platforms with fake profiles and posts to lend legitimacy to their schemes. My recommendation is simple: if someone suggests a meeting on an unfamiliar platform, insist on using Google Meet instead. I'm not suggesting you to "avoid opening any links sent to you" because you're all professionals. However, if you do open such a link, never connect your wallets or provide any credential information. Stay safe. (By the way, I managed to transfer all my assets immediately. I reset more than 200 passwords and activated 2-step authentication for over 50 accounts. As of now, 48 hours later, I believe I am safe.)

Phishing Scams What is a Phishing Scam? Phishing involves scammers pretending to be trustworthy sources (like banks or familiar companies) to trick you into sharing personal information. They often use fake emails or texts with links that lead to counterfeit websites. How to Protect Yourself: Double-Check Links – Hover over links to see where they lead. Look for unusual URLs or misspellings. Don’t Share Personal Info – Never enter sensitive details via links sent to you. Visit the official website instead. Watch for Urgency – Scammers often create a sense of urgency to make you act without thinking. Fake Job Offers What is a Fake Job Scam? Fake job scams target job seekers with offers that seem too good to be true. Scammers may ask for personal details, upfront payments, or even bank information, claiming it's part of the application process. How to Stay Safe: Research the Company – Verify the company’s legitimacy by checking official websites and reviews. Beware of Upfront Fees – Legitimate employers will never ask for payments during the hiring process. Look for Red Flags – Poor grammar, vague descriptions, or excessive promises of high pay are warning signs. Investment and Cryptocurrency Scams What are Investment and Crypto Scams? These scams promise high returns or guaranteed profits through fake investment platforms or cryptocurrency schemes. Scammers often use flashy websites, fake testimonials, and social media to lure victims. How to Stay Safe: Research the Platform – Ensure the platform is licensed and check reviews from trusted sources. Beware of "Guaranteed" Profits – No legitimate investment is risk-free or offers guaranteed returns. Avoid High-Pressure Tactics – Take your time to research instead of succumbing to pushy sales tactics. Stay Vigilant: Protect yourself and others by staying informed. #CyberSecurityTips #StaySafeOnline #DigitalAwareness #OnlineSafety2024 #CyberFriday

WhatsApp scams have evolved significantly in recent years, with scammers deploying a variety of sophisticated methods to deceive users. Here's a roundup of the latest scams and how to protect yourself: 1.    Impersonation and Identity Scams: Scammers often impersonate loved ones or WhatsApp support staff to trick users into providing personal information or transferring money. Always verify the identity of the sender through a separate communication channel before responding to any requests. 2.    Gift Card and QR Code Scams: Messages that entice users to click on links to claim a gift card or scan a QR code for a prize are common. These links often lead to malicious websites that can steal personal information or install malware on your device. Be wary of such offers, especially from unknown contacts. 3.    Fake Job Offers and Bank Scams: Lucrative job offers or urgent requests from 'banks' asking you to update your payment details are typical phishing tactics. Verify the legitimacy of any job offer or bank communication independently, and never enter personal details based on a WhatsApp message alone. 4.    Crypto and Investment Scams: Offers promising high returns on investments, especially in cryptocurrency, should be approached with caution. Scammers might use fake profiles or even romantic engagements to persuade you to invest through dubious platforms. 5.    Lottery and Giveaway Scams: Be skeptical of messages claiming you've won a lottery or giveaway, particularly if they ask you to click a link or provide personal details to claim the supposed prize. 6.    Unauthorized Verification Code Sharing: A common tactic involves scammers pretending to accidentally send their login verification code to your number, then asking you to send it back. Never share your WhatsApp verification code with anyone 7.    International Hoax Calls: Scammers also make unsolicited calls from international numbers. It's wise to not respond to or engage with calls that come from unexpected foreign numbers. WhatsApp and various security firms advise users to activate two-factor authentication, be cautious with unsolicited messages, and use the app’s reporting features to block and report suspicious accounts. Always remember to stop and think before acting on any suspicious messages, and use in-built security features to enhance your safety on WhatsApp.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗜𝗻𝗰. - "Enhancing your business securely through innovation and technology." This trend will continue as the gig economy expands and more people seek remote work opportunities. Protect yourself by staying informed and vigilant against suspicious job offers and phishing attempts. Always verify the legitimacy of job postings and use trusted platforms for job searching. Vistem Solutions is dedicated to ensuring the security of your business and personal information. Stay safe and secure in the digital age. #cybersecurity #cryptoscams #fraudprevention #stayvigilant #VistemSolutions

Thought leaders, be alert! Your social media account logins are keys to the kingdom for scammers, and you’re a hot target: Why? It took you years to build up your LinkedIn profile. It’s a gold mine of trust for scammers across the globe to exploit. They will DM people you’re connected to. They will advertise crypto scams under your name and trying to lure people in to lose their savings because your friends and relatives trusted YOU. 📸 This guy I knew on Facebook shared an occasional photo to keep his family and friends in the loop. Now, this trash is going out under his name and profile. To all of his friends and family. Who trust him. AI wrote the post. That’s why it’s so clean. I’ve reported all of the slick posts probably 10 times. While infuriating and distressing for us to see this, as it’s clearly fraudulent, Meta is clearly not in a hurry to crack down on fraud. 😳 Which means your name and profile will continue to be used by scammers perhaps for many years to come. You have little recourse to get your accounts back, and no control over what happens. 👉 Guard your account with an Authenticator App - not 2FA that goes to email or text, those are not secure anymore. All of those data hacks have released your email passwords - they’re out there. with access to your email account, they’ve got everything needed to take you down, across every account you own. Think of all the statements and personal information inside of your email account. ✅ These are scary times we live in but with prevention and vigilance, people like you and me - non techie, laymen - sharing about the danger, we’re going to be OK! Tell 20 friends please. ♻️

Scam Spotting Having conducted online business for over five years, I've avoided scams, although I narrowly avoided one today. Over the past week, I've been in contact with someone who purported to be the manager of Silicon Valley business. We discussed a safety presentation script that he expressed interest in. Initially, I verified his identity on LinkedIn, where everything seemed legitimate. Today, he sent me the script, which appeared well-crafted. However, I noticed something suspicious in the final lines: a Gmail address, often a red flag for potential scammers. I decided to investigate further by searching his alternative email address online, only to find warnings indicating it was linked to phishing activities. Had I proceeded, the next step would have been a request for my bank details under the guise of payment. Scammers avoid PayPal due to its security measures, often offering flimsy excuses. I advise anyone conducting business online to be careful, especially when encountering Gmail addresses and individuals who are reluctant to use PayPal. These can often be indicators of potential scams. Nice Try Scammer Scame Showcase

🔒🚨 Breaking news alert for all my tech-savvy friends! 🔒🚨 👀 Hold onto your keyboards, IT pros and cybersecurity experts! The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has just dropped some major truth bombs on the most impersonated companies in 2023. And guess who topped the charts for these cyber hoodlums? 🤔 None other than the tech giant Microsoft! But hey, don't worry, you won't find Bill Gates pulling scams on your grandma anytime soon! 😂 What's the deal, you ask? Well, it seems the shady characters out there are getting creative... impersonating companies like Best Buy, Amazon, and PayPal to get their hands on that sweet, sweet, ill-gotten gain. 🕵️♂️💰 Now, let's put our cyber thinking caps on and dive deeper into this cyber conundrum: 🔍 Impersonation 101: Cyber criminals are like chameleons, adapting and impersonating top dogs to steal your data and hard-earned cash. Beware, they're lurking in the shadows! 🚫 Security Checkpoint: Is your cyber armor ready to repel these cyber criminals? It's not just about installing the latest antivirus software; it's about staying one step ahead and being cyber savvy! 💻🔒 💭 The Crystal Ball: What does the future hold for cyber impersonation? Will we see more sophisticated scams or will our cyber defenses level up? Share your predictions! 🔮💬 Let's chat, tech wizards! What are your thoughts on this latest FTC revelation? Drop your comments, tag your tech-savvy friends, and let's decode this cyber mystery together! 💬🔍 #ainews #automatorsolutions #CyberSafety #TechTrends #StaySafeOnline #CyberSecurityAINews ----- Original Publish Date: 2024-05-24 15:29