A Tucson man recently lost $25,000 to a sophisticated phishing scam that impersonated a well-known technology company. According to KOLD News 13, the scammer used psychological tactics to distract the victim and prevent him from recognizing the fraud. “They are extremely sophisticated. The psychological part of it, they’ve got that down pat,” said the 76-year-old victim (source).
The scam began when the victim received an email that appeared to be from iMyFone, a global tech company. The email claimed that a charge of $199.99 had been deducted from his account, urging him to call a provided number if the withdrawal was an error. When he called, the scammers convinced him to install remote access software, giving them control over his computer. Using deception, they manipulated his bank accounts to make it seem like he had received a refund and persuaded him to send them money.
How to Recognize Phishing Emails
The Better Business Bureau provides several tips to identify phishing scams:
- Urgency: Scammers use scare tactics to create a sense of urgency.
- Suspicious Links and Misspellings: Watch for grammatical errors and unfamiliar URLs.
- Poor Spelling: Legitimate businesses typically have professional communication.
- Attachments: Be wary of unexpected files that could contain malware.
- Sender’s Email: Always verify the email is from an official company domain.
How PC Matic Can Help Protect You
PC Matic offers several layers of protection to help consumers avoid falling victim to scams like this:
1 – Whitelist-Based Antivirus Protection
Unlike traditional antivirus software that relies on blacklists, PC Matic uses a whitelist approach to block unknown and potentially harmful applications, including remote access tools that scammers use to take control of devices.
2 – Real-Time Phishing Protection
PC Matic’s real-time protection scans emails and websites for known phishing indicators, such as fake domains and suspicious links, blocking them before they reach the user.
3 – Identity Theft Protection
With identity theft prevention features, PC Matic helps protect sensitive personal information by blocking access to unauthorized programs and alerting users to potential threats.
4 – Automated Scans and Updates
Keeping your system updated is critical in defending against cyber threats. PC Matic ensures automatic updates to patch vulnerabilities and close security gaps.
5 – Web Protection
PC Matic’s web protection feature blocks access to malicious websites and phishing pages, preventing users from entering their credentials on fake sites.
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
If you believe you’ve fallen victim to an online scam, take these immediate steps:
- Report to IC3: Visit ic3.gov to file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
- Contact Your Bank: Inform your financial institution to attempt to recover any lost funds.
- Change Passwords: Secure your accounts by updating your login credentials.
- Install Security Software: Use tools like PC Matic to prevent further intrusions and malware infections.
Stay Vigilant Against Phishing Scams
As cybercriminals evolve tactics, staying vigilant and informed is the best defense. By using comprehensive security solutions like PC Matic and following best practices for email safety, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling for scams like the one that targeted the Tucson man.
To learn more about how PC Matic can protect you from phishing and other cyber threats, visit www.pcmatic.com.