Tech support scams, a notorious form of cybercrime, have been a persistent issue for many years. These scams typically involve fraudsters convincing unsuspecting individuals that their computer has a non-existent problem, such as a virus infection, or that fraudulent activity has been detected on their account. The fraudster, using their adept social engineering skills, often tricks the victim into believing they’ve received an accidental overpayment into their bank account, urging the victim to return the extra funds or risk the scammer losing their job. The victims are usually asked to transfer the money via methods that are difficult to trace or reverse, such as wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or money transfer apps. However, in a recent twist, the FBI has reported an increase in tech support scammers instructing their victims to send physical cash, concealed within a newspaper or magazine, through a shipping company.
The reason behind this shift to an old-school offline method is not entirely clear. However, it could be a response to the Federal Trade Commission’s action against Nexway, a payments firm accused of knowingly processing fraudulent credit card payments for tech support scammers. With their regular channels of receiving funds compromised, scammers might be resorting to methods that can better evade detection by authorities.
According to the FBI, the scammers have recently instructed victims to ship the money packages to retail businesses that can receive packages on behalf of customers. The FBI encourages anyone who has been a victim of such scams to report the incident to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), providing details such as the name of the person or company that contacted them, the methods of communication used, and the address where the cash was shipped.
While it may seem unlikely that many would fall for such a scam, the reality is that there are individuals who are less tech-savvy and more susceptible to these scams. Even those who might consider themselves immune to such tactics should be aware that a 2021 study by Microsoft found that Gen Zers (aged 18-23) and Millennials (aged 24-37) are also susceptible to losing money to scammers. In the face of this evolving threat, it’s crucial for everyone, particularly those with an interest in cybersecurity and online privacy, to educate their loved ones about the tactics used by online fraudsters and to remain vigilant. After all, knowledge is the best defense against such scams.
