We all like to think were immune to scams.
We scoff at emails from an unknown sender offering us 2 million, in exchange for our bank details.
But the game has changed and con artists have developed new, chilling tactics.
They are taking the personal approach and scouring the internet for all the details they can find about us.
Scammers are getting so good at it that evencybersecurityexperts are taken in.
This is it, I thought.
Im finally getting recognition from the people at the top.
Something wasnt right, though.
Why was the pro-vice chancellor using his Gmail address?
I asked how I could meet.
But I never heard back from him.
And fraudsters know it too.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
Scammers dont need to spend much time researching corporate structures.
Im at the conference and my phone ran out of credit.
Can you ask XXX to send me report XXX?
runs a typical scam message.
Targets are normally chosen based on their rank, age or social status.
Fraudsters are using spam bots to engage with victims who respond to the initial hook email.
Recent examples include theRoyal Mail chatbot scam,DHL Express, andFacebook Messenger.
Unfortunately for the public, many companies offer free and paid services tobuild a chatbot.
Social media is making it easier for scammers to craft believable emails called spear phishing.
The data we share every day gives fraudsters clues about our lives they can use against us.
It could be something as simple as somewhere you recently visited or a website you use.
When we check our full inbox, we often pick out something that strikes a chord.
This is referred to in psychology asthe illusory correlation: seeing things as related when they arent.
How to protect yourself
Even if youre tempted tobait email scammers, dont.
Even confirming your email address is in use can make you a target for future scams.
One simple way to avoid being tricked is to double-check the senders details and email headers.
If you have another means of contacting that person, do so.
We should all be careful with our data.
The rule of thumb is if you dont want someone to know it, then dont put it online.
The more advanced technology gets, the easier it is to take a human approach.
Video call technology and messaging apps bring you closer to your friends and family.
But its giving people who would do you harm a window into your life.
So we have to use our human defenses: gut instinct.
If something doesnt feel right, pay attention.
