July 10 Weekly Cyber Security Column

Tap to reset your Instagram password: A Colorado citizen received a text message with a link to reset her Instagram password. It turns out this is a common Instagram and Facebook scam. Never click on a link in a text message like this – if you’re concerned, log into your account, and change your password there.

Amazon Prime Days start July 11: Criminals are already sending emails and texts with deals too good to be true. CyberWyoming note: Never send payment info via text or email, don’t call a random number that pops up in your inbox, and only shop for Prime Day deals on Amazon.com. – Brought to you by The Current Tech News

Facebook Marketplace scams: There has been a 270% increase in internet searches on “Facebook Marketplace scams.” The Better Business Bureau says most of the scams are for concert tickets, pre-sale items, and expensive items like cars and pets. CyberWyoming note: Be careful when purchasing on Facebook Marketplace or any internet store. If a price is too good to be true, believe it and do not pursue it. Likewise, if the seller wants you to contact them outside Facebook, or pay via gift card or cryptocurrency, walk away. It is likely a scam. - Brought to you by The Current Tech News

Beware fake plane tickets: Someone (travel agent, website, friend of a friend of a friend) promises you a great deal on plane tickets. You provide personal information and your credit card, and they provide the ticket number. You look it up with the provided link, and you see your ticket. However, if you check three days later, your ticket will have vanished. It’s because the scammer only reserved your tickets – they weren’t purchased, and now you are out the price of the ticket and the scammer has sold your information on the dark web. CyberWyoming note: It’s best to pay the extra money to purchase the tickets either from the airline website or a reputable travel site. - Brought to you by The Current Tech News

Scammers Cash in On Americans' $150m Collagen Spend: The jury is still out on whether collagen will make a difference in your skin health or make you look younger. The only studies as to the benefits of collagen have been conducted by collagen manufacturers who have a vested interest. There are a number of scams that make misleading claims as to what collagen can do for you, provide fake or low-quality products, use faked before-and-after images of celebrities, or trick you into providing your personal information and credit card for a trial offer…that you can never cancel. CyberWyoming note: It’s best to get professional advice from a dermatologist and ignore any claim about miraculous results. – Brought to you by Scambusters

Scammers want to gain your trust: That’s why they keep pretending to work for government agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission. They might use the names of real FTC employees, but the stories they tell are a bunch of lies. Scammers have a long list of tall tales they tell. They might say you won a prize (you didn’t) and must pay to collect it (you don’t). Or that there’s a virus on your computer or an issue with one of your accounts (there isn’t).

The scammers’ stories change, but here’s what won’t.

• The FTC will never call you to demand money.

• The FTC will never threaten you with arrest.

• The FTC will never promise you a prize.

Anyone who does is a scammer. Report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

- Brought to you by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Why Criminals Want Your Driver’s License: There is a black market for driver’s licenses because they are used for all sorts of reasons: to validate identity when you buy something expensive like a car, or get a job, get on a plane. If your driver’s license is stolen, report it to the police as soon as possible and make sure the DMV gives you a new number on the replacement license. Or you may end up with tolls, warrants, bills, or any other consequence of identity theft. – Brought to you by AARP Fraud Alert

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. If you use these products, make sure the software (or firmware) is updated.

Data Breaches in the News: USAA, Tik Tok, Instagram, Yahoo, Nebraska Supreme Court, South Dakota Boards and Commissions, Texas State Behavioral Health, Pennsylvania Provider Self Service, South Carolina Criminal Justice Information Services.

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 [email protected] to alert your friends and neighbors.

Other ways to report a scam:

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

• Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection

o Email [email protected]

o 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/#/

• 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 [email protected]

• 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 http://www.aarp.org/fraudsupport to learn more about the free program and register.