Fake Online Shopping and Fake "Essentials" to Fight Corona-virus | Complete Security

Internet scammers are using the coronavirus as best they can. Some play on the feelings of anxious consumers by selling low-quality or nonexistent products.

 

Attackers reach out to users via social networks and sometimes directly via email. Many offer in-demand products such as liquid soaps, hand sanitizers, and masks. However, buyers often receive poor quality products or do not receive them at all.

 

In the United States, there are cases when scammers pretended to be representatives of medical organizations and offered free tests for COVID-19 - if you pay for delivery by card, of course. Some frightened US residents succumbed to deception. Because of this and other cases of fraud amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warning to citizens:

 

“Beware of letters that ask for your personal data and promise to provide compensation from the state - they are sent by scammers. The possibility of such payments has been discussed, but government agencies do not send letters promising compensation in exchange for confidential information. You should also be suspicious of letters offering financial assistance, airline refunds, or non-existent drugs and vaccines. ”

 

How it works

Scammers can create fake online stores or send letters with offers to e-mail. Some even try to sell their products through ads on social networks like Facebook.

 

Most often, scammers offer medical products that are now difficult to find in supermarkets, online stores, and pharmacies: antiseptics, masks, and disposable gloves.

 

Criminals try to attract customers with discounts and limited availability or claim that now only their the store has such a product.

 

Attackers persuade you to buy a large batch to stock up for a long time or argue that the goods are sold out quickly and may not be enough, so the user will quickly agree to purchase and be less attentive.

 

After payment, the buyer will be disappointed. Someone does not receive the goods at all, and someone does, but with defects. In Asia, fraudsters have been able to deceive thousands of people: customers received products of poor quality or completely out of order.

 

In this and in many other cases, the seller disappears soon after the purchase has been paid, it is impossible to contact him and his location cannot be traced.

How to protect yourself

Buy only from trusted and trusted suppliers. If an unfamiliar seller contacts you directly, or you find an online store that you have not seen before, be careful: try to find more information about them on the Internet. Do not make large purchases if you are not 100% sure of the authenticity of the product or store.

 

If you pay for a purchase on a website, check for a security certificate by simply looking at the website's address bar. If the beginning is HTTPS (and not HTTP, for example) - the page is protected.

 

The main thing is, never tell strangers or unfamiliar people your username and password or financial data. To verify the identity of a merchant, ask for their contact information: address, company registration number, and a phone number where you can contact someone else from that company.

 

 

If you think you have been the victim of a scam, contact your bank immediately. They may help you there. Be sure to change passwords that might have been compromised during the transaction.

Attacks on companies during remote work

Individuals are not the only ones at risk of attacks and fraud amid the coronavirus pandemic. Large institutions and important healthcare organizations such as hospitals, universities and research centers are also subject to cyberattacks by COVID scammers.

 

Earlier this year, the Brno University Hospital in the Czech Republic came under a ransomware attack. Doctors were forced to interrupt work and postpone operations. Many organizations around the world have been exposed to hacks and data breaches - even large companies.

 

Samsung Electronics has a data breach during the coronavirus pandemic. Its scale and number of victims remain unknown. According to reports, the data breach may have been linked to strange push notifications that some users of Samsung devices have received. Samsung representatives said the notifications were not related to the leak and that, according to their information, there were "not many" victims.

 

How it works

Oftentimes, attackers target individual employees using different tools from their rich arsenal (such as malicious emails and links) to infect their computers. If successful, attackers can gain access to the corporate network and distribute malware, spyware, and viruses throughout the company.

 

How to protect yourself

Many employees are now working remotely. It is important to remind them to be careful on the Internet and not open emails from unknown or suspicious senders, download attachments from there, or follow links.

 

The more people on the Internet, the more potential victims for scammers. At home, a person feels more comfortable and becomes less attentive, and criminals attack where you do not expect at all. The risks are increasing.

 

It is more important than ever to invest in comprehensive antivirus software for individuals and the entire company to ensure business continuity and data protection.

How are international organizations fighting those who profit from the coronavirus?

There are very few regions in the world that have not been affected by the coronavirus. The government of each country must confront criminals who want to benefit from it.

 

Interpol has released information on coronavirus-related fraudulent transactions.

 

The organization's official website reports on various types of attacks occurring in different countries. In some cases, fraudsters were able to lure hundreds of thousands of dollars from victims, and such crimes were no longer limited to one country. This means that you can also be attacked from abroad.

 

Interpol has published the following official guidelines:

 

Check independent sources for offers from an individual or a company selling any goods.

Be aware of fake websites and pay attention to addresses - some of the fake ones look like the real ones: for example, abc.org instead of abc.com.

Read online reviews of a company before making a purchase. If there are many reviews that buyers did not receive their products, then there is a high probability of being cheated.

Be wary of requests to transfer money to a foreign bank account.

If you think you have become a victim of scammers, immediately report to your bank and collect as much information as possible about the transaction and evidence of its completion.

Do not open attachments and links in emails that were not expected.

Be wary of letters with offers to buy medical equipment or requests for personal information for medical examinations: official medical institutions usually do not send such letters.

Interpol has investigated at least 30 cases of COVID-19 fraud in Asia and Europe. The organization sent out a purple new threat alert to all 194 countries in which it operates.

 

How are governments around the world fighting those who profit from the coronavirus?

The pandemic has swept the whole world, so it is difficult to say exactly what measures are being taken in each country to stop attacks by hackers and fraudsters in the midst of a crisis.

 

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission has issued guidelines for consumers.

 

Here they are:

 

Hang up if you hear a recording voice. Fraudsters can suggest coronavirus medications or work from home over the phone using pre-recorded messages.

Ignore offers to buy vaccination kits or home testing for coronavirus. The sale of such products is regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At the moment, no such set has been approved.

Check all information for accuracy. Do not take any action based on information that you cannot verify, and do not distribute it.

Check online stores. Make sure the salespeople are who they say they are.

Ignore reports and letters of financial aid from the state. You will learn all about state aid through official channels.

Don't open suspicious attachments or links.

Beware of emails from supposedly official sources. Fraudsters can impersonate the Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the World Health Organization, or independent experts.

Take your time to donate. At least until you are sure that the donation is being requested by an organization or person who really needs it.

The FTC is also issuing warnings to sellers of drugs allegedly helping to prevent and treat coronavirus without proper certification and labeling. Be wary of offers such as teas, essential oils, or colloidal silver - they have not been proven to be effective. At the moment, there are no proven treatments or cures for coronavirus at all. Those who say otherwise just want to take advantage of your gullibility.

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