Internet SCAM!!!

Beware of Internet support scams! These scams are widespread, especially in the United States. Scammers pose as tech support reps from well-known companies like Microsoft or Apple and attempt to convince individuals that their computers have critical issues that demand immediate attention. The scammers aim to deceive people into paying for unnecessary technical support services, granting remote access to their computers, or disclosing sensitive personal information. Be vigilant and cautious of such fraudulent activities.

Disclaimer
Strike Securities will never call you to report issues with your PC/Network. If you receive a call from an unknown caller claiming to be from Strike Securities, Hang up the call immediately. Contact our Support Line at 1-866-770-2264 or email us at [email protected] to verify the legitimacy of the call.

Here's how you might recognize and respond to these scams:

1. Unsolicited Calls or Pop-up on a computer or mobile device: 
   A common tactic is unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to work for tech companies. Alternatively, pop-up warnings might appear on your computer screen stating that malware has been detected and providing a phone number for help.
2. Pressure Tactics:
   Scammers often pressure you by claiming your computer is at imminent risk or infected with viruses/malware to create urgency.
3. Requesting Personal Information: 
   They may ask for financial details or other sensitive information under the guise of billing for services rendered.
4. Remote Access Requests:
   These often force you to control your computer remotely, ostensibly to 'fix' the issue, but they aim to install malicious software or steal data.
5. Payment Requirements:
   They may demand payment through untraceable means such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrencies before they fix the nonexistent problem.

How to Respond:

1. Be Skeptical: 
   Do not trust unsolicited calls or pop-ups about your computer's security status.
2. Do Not Provide Personal Information: 
   Never give out personal data like financial details, passwords, and social security numbers over the phone unless you initiate contact with a trusted source and verify their identity.
3. Refuse Remote Access: 
   Never allow unknown persons remote access into your device; this could lead to them stealing information or infecting it with malware.
4. Keep Software Updated:
   Ensure all software, including antivirus programs, is up to date and can help prevent actual viruses and malware infections.
5. Hang Up: 
   If you are uncertain about the caller's authenticity, hang up. Legitimate tech companies will not call customers out of the blue to offer unscheduled technical support.
6. Use Official Channels: 
   If you suspect an issue, contact the tech company's official customer service channels instead of relying on contact details provided during an unsolicited call or pop-up alert.
7. Report Scam Attempts: 
   Report any suspected scam attempt to FTC (Federal Trade Commission) USA via https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/ as well as the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov/

It's essential to be aware of unsolicited calls and pop-ups claiming an issue with your computer. These can be common tactics used by scammers to trick individuals into believing that their computer is compromised. Always be skeptical of such unsolicited communications and avoid providing any personal information or granting remote access to your computer in such situations. It's essential to be aware of unsolicited calls and pop-ups claiming an issue with your computer. These can be common tactics used by scammers to trick individuals into believing that their computer is compromised. Always be skeptical of such unsolicited communications and avoid providing any personal information or granting remote access to your computer in such situations. It's essential to be aware of unsolicited calls and pop-ups claiming an issue with your computer. These can be common tactics used by scammers to trick individuals into believing that their computer is compromised. Always be skeptical of such unsolicited communications and avoid providing any personal information or granting remote access to your computer in such situations.

Refund SCAM!!!

A refund scam in the USA, or anywhere else, is a fraudulent scheme where scammers deceive victims into believing they are owed money from a business or government agency. The scam can operate in various ways, but the most common methods include.

1. Overpayment Scam:
   The scammer pays for goods or services with a check that exceeds the purchase amount. Then, before their bank reveals that the check was fraudulent, the scammer requests that the victim refund the difference.
2. Tech Support Refund Scam:
   A caller claiming to be from a well-known tech company informs you that you're due for a refund related to services or software you supposedly purchased. During this process, they may ask for remote access to your computer and then manipulate your screen to show a fake refund form, which leads to them "accidentally" refunding too much money into your account. They usually request that the overage be returned via gift cards or wire transfers.
3. Government Agency Impersonation:
   Scammers pose as representatives from government agencies such as the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) and SSA (Social Security Administration), claiming that you're entitled to an unexpected tax refund or grant or have overpaid on some fees they must return.
4. Financial Services Refund:
   This involves fraudsters pretending to be from banks or credit card companies. They say there has been a charge error and offer an immediate refund if personal banking details are provided.

In each case, once victims provide their bank details under false pretenses of receiving a refund or send back 'overpaid' amounts, they lose money instead of gaining any reimbursement.

Here's what individuals can do to protect themselves against such scams:

• Be skeptical about unsolicited calls offering refunds.
• Never give out personal information like Social Security numbers or bank account details over the phone unless you initiate contact
• Verify all requests by contacting businesses through official channels.
• Remember, legitimate organizations will never ask for payment through gift cards.
• Report suspected frauds immediately to local law enforcement agencies, such as police departments, and federal agencies, like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

It's always important to be aware and vigilant against these types of scams because they constantly evolve as scammers develop new tactics, regularly trying to trick unsuspecting people out of their hard-earned money.
 

Ouboud SCAM!!!           

Outbound call scams, robocalls, or phone fraud are common in the USA. These types of scams typically involve automated calls (robocalls) or live callers who pose as representatives from various organizations to obtain personal information or money from unsuspecting individuals fraudulently. Here's how they usually operate:

1. Spoofed Numbers:
   Scammers often use spoofing technology to display a different number on the recipient's caller ID, sometimes matching it with a number from a known and trusted organization.
2. False Representations:
   To gain your trust, they may claim to be from government agencies (like the IRS or SSA), banks, credit card companies, charities, lottery organizations, etc.
3. Pressure Tactics:
   The scammer might create a sense of urgency or fear by saying that you owe money to the IRS that must be paid immediately or face arrest, that you've won a prize but need to pay fees first, that your bank account is compromised and needs verification, etc.
4. Requests for Personal Information/Money Transfer:
   They attempt to collect sensitive information like social security numbers, bank account details, credit card numbers, etc., or ask for money transfers via cash apps, gift cards, or wire transfers under various false pretenses.

Here are some tips on how one can protect themselves against outbound call scams:

• Do not trust Caller ID completely because it can easily be spoofed.
• Don't provide any personal information over an unsolicited phone call.
• Government agencies typically correspond through the mail first and don't demand payment over the phone.
• Hang up on robocalls instead of pressing buttons as instructed by the automated voice—this only confirms active number scammers.
• Be skeptical about being asked for immediate payment, especially through unusual methods like gift cards or wire transfers.
   

Phishing SCAM!!!

Phishing scams are among the most prevalent types of online fraud in the USA and globally. In these scams, fraudsters pose as legitimate institutions such as banks, credit card companies, or even government agencies to try to trick individuals into providing sensitive data like usernames, passwords, credit card details, and social security numbers.

Here's how phishing scams usually work:

1. Deceptive Emails/Texts:
   Scammers send emails or texts that appear to be from a trusted source. These messages often create a sense of urgency — for instance, by claiming your account has been compromised, and you need to update your information immediately.
2. Malicious Links:
   These emails/texts often contain links that direct victims to fake websites identical in appearance to the actual site they're impersonating.
3. Data Harvesting:
   On these fake websites, victims are asked for their private information, which is then collected by the scammers – who can use this data for identity theft or other fraudulent activities
4. Attachments:
   Sometimes, phishing emails come with attachments containing malware designed to infect your device and steal personal data directly.

To protect yourself from phishing scams:

• Be skeptical about unsolicited communications asking for personal information.
• Check email addresses carefully; if they don't exactly match the organization's real address, it might be a scam.
• Do not click on links received through suspicious emails or texts — instead, go directly through the official website.
• Use two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
• Keep anti-virus softwarantiviruson all devices.
• If you suspect an email might be a scam report it both the institution impersonated Federal Trade Commission FTC.

Remember, knowledge and understanding are key to preventing falling victim to phishing scams. Always double-check any requests for sensitive information and practice safe online habits.

Online Shopping SCAM!!!

Online shopping scams involve scammers pretending to be legitimate online sellers, either with a fake website or a fake ad on a genuine retailer site. Here's how they typically operate:

1. Fake Websites:
   Scammers create fake websites that mimic legitimate online stores. To appear authentic, they might use sophisticated designs, stolen logos, and even a '.com' domain name.
2. Too Good To Be True Prices:
   items are usually listed at incredibly low prices to attract more victims.
3. Payment Methods:
   Scammers often ask for hard-to-retrace or recover payment methods, such as wire transfers, pre-loaded debit cards, or cryptocurrencies.
4. Goods Never Arrive:
   You may never receive the product you paid for once you pay.
5. Counterfeit Goods:
   You may sometimes receive goods, but they may not be counterfeit as described in the advertisement.
6. Data Theft:
   Fake web stores can also serve as fronts for stealing sensitive personal information such as credit card details and addresses.

To protect yourself from online shopping scams:
 

1. Do your research before purchasing something from an unfamiliar website; check reviews and ratings if available.
2. Never buy anything advertised via unsolicited emails (spam).
3. When possible, you should always use secure payment options like credit cards; avoid direct money transfers unless they are through reputable platforms.
4. If prices seem too good to be true - they probably are.
5. Before entering sensitive information, look for secure transaction symbols such as https:// and the padlock icon in your browser window.
6. Regularly update your computer antivirus software to protect against the latest threats
7. If you have been scammed, report it to local law enforcement. The Federal Trade Commission ensures others don't fall victim to the same scam .

Remember, a safe smart internet user requires vigilance and awareness of potential threats always important to remain skeptical of too-good-to-be-true deals