Emails with subjects “You have won <various prizes>”:

A Nevada citizen reported receiving emails impersonating Kohl’s and Harbor Freight to join their loyalty programs for free. There are links to join, and you’ll be asked to enter your credit card to pay for the shipping for your “free” prize. (CyberWyoming note: Loyalty programs are always free! The email addresses are odd domains such as the “codwhisperer” which is a giant red flag DANGER. AARP has a fraud watch program with steps to take to prevent identity theft with your stolen personal information – see below.)

AARP Fraud Watch Network:

If you are an AARP member (they currently have a sale – membership is $9 a year), you can sign up to receive alerts from their fraud watch network. They provide steps to prevent identity theft with your stolen personal information, and they will send you text messages about current scams and what to watch for. If you have been targeted by scams or fraud, they have a free helpline for anyone of any age (always listed at the bottom of this weekly brief) that will provide support, guidance, and next steps.

Emails inquiring if you want to purchase a list:

Several citizens have reported receiving emails offering to sell lists of doctors, chiropractors, plumbers – basically any profession that seems to relate to you. CyberWyoming believes these emails are targeting people based on information they scraped from LinkedIn in 2022. These are pure phishing emails, offering to sell you information you can get for free from the internet. CyberWyoming note: Keep in mind that any time you use your credit card to purchase something, the seller now has your name, credit card number, and possibly your address (or at least your zip code).

U.S. consumers reported $9 billion in fraud losses in 2022:

Investment scams doubled in size between 2021 and 2022 to $3.9 billion. Median losses were $5,000. Cryptocurrency was a large part of the investment scams for a total loss of $1.4 billion, and 74% of adults who reported an investment scam suffered a loss. This is significantly higher than losses of other fraud types. CyberWyoming note: We will provide the data on imposter scams next week. – Brought to you by AARP Fraud Network.

Mental Health Apps have been leaking or selling your data:

Mozilla investigated privacy concerns over mental health apps and found that many have either leaked or sold client data. Those clients are being targeted with predatory ads. If you’re interested in which apps have the best and worst privacy rating, you can check out the report here foundation.mozilla.org/en/blog/shady-mental-health-apps-inch-toward-privacy-and-security-improvements-but-many-still-siphon-personal-data. – Brought to you by The Current Tech News

Look who died:

Don’t click on a link making the rounds on Facebook that says, “Look who died.” It’s a scam. Scammers are looking to gain access to your Facebook details. – Brought to you by The Current Tech News

Pet threat:

If you're a pet owner, beware of scammers claiming to be from your county or city animal service department claiming you owe them money from a past due fine. It's just the latest version of a longstanding scam in which crooks pretend to be from local courts or police to demand supposedly overdue payments. - Brought to you by Scambusters

Don't Take that Quiz:

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning to people who enjoy answering quizzes and surveys on social media. Certain questions in some of the surveys can be used to crack your password reset questions, such as the make and model of your first car. CyberWyoming note: One helpful tip? Treat your password reset questions as if they were your passwords. For more information, check out this video created by the WyoCAN (Cybersecurity Action Network) committee: youtube.com/watch?v=jcLiVrderE4.

MS-ISAC and CISA Patch Now Alert:

The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) or the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has published a patch now (update your software) alert for Google Chrome, Apple products. If you use these products, make sure the software (or firmware) is updated.

5/29 Data Breaches in the News:

SuperVPN, Amazon PillPack, Dish, Sysco. Note: If you have an account with one of these companies, be sure to change your password and consider placing a credit freeze on your accounts through the three credit reporting agencies: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax.

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Please report scams you may experience to phishing@cyberwyoming.org to alert your friends and neighbors.

Other ways to report a scam:

• Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker: bbb.org/scamtracker/us/reportscam
• Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection 307-777-6397, 800-438-5799 or ag.consumer@wyo.gov
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Report your scam to the FBI at www.ic3.gov/complaint
• Reported unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registration. Online at donotcall.gov/report.html or call 1-888-382-1222, option 3
• Office of the Inspector General: oig.ssa.gov
• AARP Fraud Watch Network (any age welcome) Helpline 877-908-3360
• IRS: report email scams impersonating the IRS to phishing@irs.gov
• Call the Wyoming Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for assistance with potential Medicare fraud, abuse, or errors at 1 800 856-4398
• Victim Support: The AARP Fraud Watch Network and Volunteers of America (VOA) created a new, free program to provide emotional support for people impacted by a scam or fraud, called ReST. Visit www.aarp.org/fraudsupport to learn more about the free program and register