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If you think your Gmail account’s been hacked, you’ll want to act. And act quickly.
The fact is that your email has all manner of personal info in there. Receipts, tax correspondence, medical info, and so on. With a hacked account, that info might get deleted, shared, or used against you for identity theft.
Luckily, Google has mechanisms in place to restore a hacked Gmail account. We’ll walk through the steps here — and a few others that can keep you secure in the long term after you have your account back.
Several things can tip you off, including:
With varying degrees of certainty, those are some signs that your account has been hacked.
Also, many people have a Google Account linked with their Gmail password and login. Beyond email, that might include files in Google Drive, photos, a YouTube account, and other features that contain personal info. In those cases, that only increases the potential harm of a hacked account.
Additionally, services like Google Pay and Google Play complicate matters more in the event of a hacked account because they contain financial info.
If you see any unusual changes in those apps or services, that might be a sign of a hacked account as well.
If you think someone else has changed your password or deleted your account, head to Google’s account recovery page. It’ll take you through a multi-step process to restore your account.
With that, you’ll want to do some quick prep. First, do your best to begin the recovery process with a device that you typically use to access your account. Also, if possible, do it in a location where you typically access your account. This provides Google with identifiers that you are who you say you are.
After that, gather up your Gmail account passwords, old and current. The recovery page will ask for them, along with other questions. Do your best to answer each question the very best you can. There’s no penalty for a wrong answer and the more info you can provide, the better.
If you can log into your account, yet worry it’s been hacked, take these steps:
Next, run a virus scan on your device. Your password might have gotten compromised in one of several ways, including malware. This can remove any malware that might be spying on your device (and your passwords).
At this point, create a new password that’s strong and unique. Use at least 14 characters using a mix of upper- and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers. Or have a password manager do that work for you.
And finally, set two-factor verification on your account if you aren’t already using it. This makes your account far tougher to hack, as two-factor verification requires a unique code to log in. One that only you receive. And just like with your password, never share your unique code. Anyone asking for it is a scammer.
By taking the steps we just covered, you’ve done two important things that can protect you moving forward. One is setting up a strong, unique password. The second is using two-factor verification.
The next thing is to get comprehensive online protection in place. Protection like you’ll find in our McAfee+ plans offers several features that can keep you and your accounts safe.
Once again, your password got compromised one way or another. It could have been spyware on your device. It could have been a phishing attack. It could have been a data breach. The list goes on. However, we refer to it as comprehensive online protection because it’s exactly that. In addition to antivirus, our McAfee+ plans have dozens of features that can protect your devices, identity, and privacy.
For example:
The important thing is this: if you think your Gmail account got hacked, act quickly. You might have much more than just your email linked to that account. Files, photos, and finances might be tied to it as well.
Even if something looks just slightly off, act as if your account got hacked. Log in, change your password, establish two-step verification if you haven’t, and take the other steps mentioned above. Above and beyond your email and all the personal info packed in there, your account can give a hacker access to plenty more.
The post How to Reset Your Gmail Password After Being Hacked appeared first on McAfee Blog.
Ever take a look at an ATM and feel like something’s off? You might have come across an ATM skimmer.
It works like this… A crook tampers with an ATM by attaching a physical device that skims card info as cards people grab or deposit money. From there, a keypad overlay or tiny pinhole camera captures your PIN as people tap it in. And with that info, the crook has everything they need to create several counterfeit cards.
Of course, that thief has to transfer that info. In some cases, the thief creeps back, removes the skimming device, downloads your data, and burns it to a blank ATM card. More sophisticated skimmers are connected, so thieves can download stolen info from the skimmer and then use that info to buy stuff online. Either way, a skimmer can take a big chunk out of your bank account.
However, you have ways of spotting these sketchy ATMs. And yet, there are more ways to protect your finances if you fall victim to a carefully concealed skimmer.
Spotting a hacked ATM can get a bit tricky, yet you can look for a few signs. Generally speaking, ATMs are sturdy by design. If a card reader or keypad wiggles at all or the keypad feels too spongy or sticks when you tap the buttons, you might be looking at a hacked ATM. Also keep an eye out for extra pieces of plastic stuck to the ATM, which can be places where a crook has concealed a camera. Often, they’ll disguise cameras in brochure holders and overhead lights.
Another clue of a hacked ATM — scanners and other components that don’t match the color and style of the machine. In all, anything that looks tacked on or out of place gives you a good reason to use another ATM.
To protect yourself further, follow these tips:
Be choosy.
While out and about, consider using ATMs installed at a bank. These are watched more closely than ATMs in public places, which makes them harder to tamper with.
Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
Thieves need your card number and your PIN to access your account with a copycat card. By covering the keypad, you prevent cameras and onlookers from seeing your PIN.
Check your bank and credit card statements often.
If your card does get skimmed, acting quickly counts. Thieves can quickly rack up purchases and out a chunk of your account. Banks typically watch for fraud and will contact you about unusual activity.
Better yet, you can keep a closer eye on your accounts yourself. Our McAfee+ plans offer several types of account and transaction monitoring. Together, they can alert to strange transactions across bank, credit, retirement, and other accounts. They can also alert you if any of your info at the bank gets changed, which helps prevent account takeovers.
The post What is ATM Skimming? appeared first on McAfee Blog.
How do you protect yourself when you use public Wi-Fi on your phone? For the 40% of people who say they use public Wi-Fi that way, it’s a good question to ask.
A recent study from Forbes found that plenty of people use public Wi-Fi — with 35% saying they use it at least four times a month.[i]
People have plenty of reasons for using public Wi-Fi on their phones. First off, they might want to save their cellular data usage. Maybe they want the speed it offers over a cell connection, like when they hop on a video call. In other cases, they might have a lousy cell signal indoors and want a better connection with Wi-Fi.
All are valid reasons for using public Wi-Fi. And all are reasons for knowing how to play it safe when you do.
In an ideal world, public Wi-Fi is quite safe. The operator has it set up with the latest protection protocols, like the WP3 standard. The operator also has current, updated network equipment. You’re using it to connect to a site that uses “https” for security. And there’s no hackers or snoops in the network mix.
Of course, you can’t count on any of that every time you use public Wi-Fi.
So, what are your options if you want or need a public Wi-Fi connection?
The readiest answer is to use a VPN. As a “virtual private network,” it runs your data connection through a secure, encrypted tunnel exclusive to you. This way, it shields you and what you do from any prying eyes on public Wi-Fi.
The important bit here is to go with a trusted VPN provider. Ironically, many VPNs out there put you at risk. Some collect user info, particularly free VPNs. This gets bought and sold, and sometimes falls victim to data breaches — putting all kinds of personal info at risk.[ii] Moreover, some so-called VPNs install malware on phones instead. Others serve up ads in return for the free service.
With that, choosing a secure and trustworthy VPN provider is a must. A VPN like ours has both your security and privacy in mind. In a VPN, look for:
Not every VPN offers these features. Selecting one that does gives you the protection you want paired with the privacy you want.
Turn off automatic connections.
Be choosy about the networks you connect to. Turning off automatic connections on your phone allows you to select the trusted networks you know best.
Keep your phone updated.
Set your operating system and apps to update automatically. Updates often include security fixes that shore up recently discovered shortcomings.
Watch out for extra taps to log in.
Hackers set up sketchy public Wi-Fi as bait. With it, they might siphon off personal info as you browse, bank, and shop. Others use it to install malware, like spyware that also steals personal info. Avoid any public Wi-Fi that asks you to download extra software or apps.
Prevent third parties from collecting your info.
Some internet service providers (ISPs) offer public Wi-Fi networks in various places. However, many ISPs track, gather, and sometimes share connection info. A VPN can put a stop to plenty of that, which makes this one more good reason to use one on public Wi-Fi.
Skip public Wi-Fi altogether.
If possible, use your data connection instead. Most mobile phone providers encrypt the traffic between cell towers and your device.
[i] https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/public-wifi-risks/
[ii] https://www.cpomagazine.com/cyber-security/free-vpn-data-leak-exposed-over-360-million-user-records/
The post How Do I Protect Myself When Using Wi-Fi? appeared first on McAfee Blog.
“Vishing” occurs when criminals cold-call victims and attempt to persuade them to divulge personal information over the phone. These scammers are generally after credit card numbers and personal identifying information, which can then be used to commit financial theft. Vishing can occur both on your landline phone or via your cell phone.
The term is a combination of “voice,” and “phishing,” which is the use of spoofed emails to trick targets into clicking malicious links. Rather than email, vishing generally relies on automated phone calls that instruct targets to provide account numbers. Techniques scammers use to get your phone numbers include:
Once vishers have phone numbers, they employ various strategies to deceive their targets and obtain valuable personal information:
To protect yourself from vishing scams, you should:
Staying vigilant and informed is your best defense against vishing scams. By verifying caller identities, being skeptical of unsolicited requests for personal information, and using call-blocking tools, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to these deceptive practices. Additionally, investing in identity theft protection services can provide an extra layer of security. These services monitor your personal information for suspicious activity and offer assistance in recovering from identity theft, giving you peace of mind in an increasingly digital world. Remember, proactive measures and awareness are key to safeguarding your personal information against vishing threats.
The post How to Protect Yourself from Vishing appeared first on McAfee Blog.
My mother recently turned 80, so of course a large celebration was in order. With 100 plus guests, entertainment, and catering to organise, the best way for me to keep everyone updated (and share tasks) was to use Google Docs. Gee, it worked well. My updates could immediately be seen by everyone, the family could access it from all the devices, and it was free to use! No wonder Google has a monopoly on drive and document sharing.
But here’s the thing – hackers know just how much both individuals and businesses have embraced Google products. So, it makes complete sense that they use reputable companies such as Google to devise phishing emails that are designed to extract our personal information. In fact, the Google Docs phishing scam was widely regarded as one of the most successful personal data extraction scams to date. They know that billions of people worldwide use Google so an invitation to click a link and view a document does not seem like an unreasonable email to receive. But it caused so much grief for so many people.
Emails designed to trick you into sharing your personal information are a scammer’s bread and butter. This is essentially what phishing is. It is by far the most successful tool they use to get their hands on your personal data and access your email.
‘But why do they want my email logins?’ – I hear you ask. Well, email accounts are what every scammer dreams of – they are a treasure trove of personally identifiable material that they can either steal or exploit. They could also use your email to launch a wide range of malicious activities from spamming and spoofing to spear phishing. Complicated terms, I know but in essence these are different types of phishing strategies. So, you can see why they are keen!!
But successful phishing emails usually share a few criteria which is important to know. Firstly, the email looks like it has been sent from a legitimate company e.g. Microsoft, Amex, or Google. Secondly, the email has a strong ‘call to action’ e.g. ‘your password has been changed, if this is not the case, please click here’. And thirdly, the email does not seem too out of place or random from the potential victim’s perspective.
Despite the fact that scammers are savvy tricksters, there are steps you can take to maximise the chances your email remains locked away from their prying eyes. Here’s what I suggest:
Never respond to an unexpected email or website that asks you for personal information or your login details no matter how professional it looks. If you have any doubts, always contact the company directly to verify.
Make sure you have super-duper internet security software that includes all the bells and whistles. Not only does internet security software McAfee+ include protection for daily browsing but it also has a password manager, a VPN, and a social privacy manager that will lock down your privacy settings on your social media accounts. A complete no-brainer!
Avoid using public Wi-Fi to log into your email from public places. It takes very little effort for a hacker to position themselves between you and the connection point. So, it’s entirely possible for them to be in receipt of all your private information and logins which clearly you don’t want. If you really need to use it, invest in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) which will ensure everything you share via Wi-Fi will be encrypted. Your McAfee+ subscription includes a VPN.
Public computers should also be avoided even just to ‘check your email’. Not only is there a greater chance of spyware on untrusted computers but some of them sport key-logging programs which can both monitor and record the keys you strike on the keyboard – a great way of finding out your password!
Ensuring each of your online accounts has its own unique, strong, and complex password is one of the best ways of keeping hackers out of your life. I always suggest at least 10-12 characters with a combination of upper and lower case letters, symbols, and numbers. A crazy nonsensical sentence is a great option here but better still is a password manager that will remember and generate passwords that no human could! A password manager is also part of your McAfee+ online security pack.
Even if you have taken all the necessary steps to protect your email from hackers, there is the chance that your email logins may be leaked in a data breach. A data breach happens when a company’s data is accessed by scammers and customers’ personal information is stolen. You may remember the Optus, Medibank and Latitude hacks of 2022/23?
If you have had your personal information stolen, please be assured that there are steps you can take to remedy this. The key is to act fast. Check out my recent blog post here for everything you need to know.
So, next time you’re organising a big gathering don’t hesitate to use Google Docs to plan or Microsoft Teams to host your planning meetings. While the thought of being hacked might make you want to withdraw, please don’t. Instead, cultivate a questioning mindset in both yourself and your kids, and always have a healthy amount of suspicion when going about your online life. You’ve got this!!
Till next time,
Stay safe!
Alex
The post How To Prevent Your Emails From Being Hacked appeared first on McAfee Blog.
I think I could count on one hand the people I know who have NOT had their email hacked. Maybe they found a four-leaf clover when they were kids! Email hacking is one of the very unfortunate downsides of living in our connected, digital world. And it usually occurs as a result of a data breach – a situation that even the savviest tech experts find themselves in.
In simple terms, a data breach happens when personal information is accessed, disclosed without permission, or lost. Companies, organisations, and government departments of any size can be affected. Data stolen can include customer login details (email addresses and passwords), credit card numbers, identifying IDs of customers e.g. driver’s license numbers and/or passport numbers, confidential customer information, company strategy, or even matters of national security.
Data breaches have made headlines, particularly over the last few years. When the Optus and Medibank data breaches hit the news in 2022 affecting almost 10 million Aussies apiece, we were all shaken. But then when Aussie finance company Latitude was affected in 2023 with a whopping 14 million people from both Australia and New Zealand, it almost felt inevitable that by now, most of us would have been impacted.
The reality is that data breaches have been happening for years. In fact, the largest data breach in Australian history happened in 2019 to the online design site Canva which affected 139 million users globally. In short, it can happen to anyone, and the chances are you may have already been affected.
The sole objective of a hacker is to get their hands on your data. Any information that you share in your email account can be very valuable to them. Why do they want your data, you ask? It’s simple really – so they can cash in!
Some will keep the juicy stuff for themselves – passwords or logins to government departments or large companies they may want to ’target’ with the aim of extracting valuable data and/or funds. The more sophisticated ones will sell your details including name, telephone, email address, and credit card details to cash in on the dark web. They often do this in batches. Some experts believe they can get as much as AU$250 for a full set of details including credit cards. So, you can see why they’d be interested in you.
The other reason why hackers will be interested in your email address and password is that many of us re-use our login details across our other online accounts. Once they’ve got their hands on your email credentials, they may be able to access your online banking and investment accounts, if you use the same credentials everywhere. So, you can see why I harp on about using a unique password for every online account!
There is a plethora of statistics on just how big this issue is – all of them concerning. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, of all the country’s cybercrime reports in 2024, about 21.9% involved identity theft and misuse. The Australian Bureau of Statistics adds that the identity theft victimisation rate has steadily increased from 0.8% to 1.2% from 2021 to 2024, respectively.
Meanwhile, The Australian Government revealed that at least one cybercrime is reported every 6 minutes, with business email compromise alone costing the national economy up to $84 million in losses. Regardless of which statistic you choose to focus on, we have a big issue on our hands.
Hackers use a range of techniques—some highly sophisticated, others deceptively simple—to gain access. It is important to know how these attacks happen so you can stay ahead and prevent them.
Yes, absolutely. An email account is often the central hub of your digital life. Once a cybercriminal controls it, they can initiate password resets for your other online accounts, including banking, shopping, and social media. They can intercept sensitive information sent to you, such as financial statements or medical records.
With enough information gathered from your emails, they can commit identity theft, apply for credit in your name, or access other sensitive services. If you suspect your email was hacked, it’s crucial to monitor your financial statements and consider placing a fraud alert with credit bureaus.
If you find yourself a victim of email hacking, these are a few very important steps you need to take. Fast.
Using a separate, clean device, this is the very first thing you must do to ensure the hacker can’t get back into your account. It is essential that your new password is complex and totally unrelated to previous passwords. Always use random words and characters, a passphrase with a variety of upper and lower cases, and throw in some symbols and numbers.
I really like the idea of a crazy, nonsensical sentence – easier to remember and harder to crack! But, better still, get yourself a password manager that will create a password that no human would be capable of creating. If you find the hacker has locked you out of your account by changing your password, you will need to reset the password by clicking on the ‘Forgot My Password’ link.
This is time-consuming, but essential. Ensure you change any other accounts that use the same username and password as your compromised email. Hackers love the fact that many people use the same logins for multiple accounts, so it is guaranteed they will try your info in other email applications and sites such as PayPal, Amazon, Netflix – you name it!
Once the dust has settled, review your password strategy for all your online accounts. A best practice is to ensure every online account has its own unique and complex password.
Most email services have a security feature that lets you remotely log out of all active sessions. Once you’ve changed your password, signing out from your email account also signs out the hacker and forces them to log-in with the new password, which fortunately they do not know. These, combined with two- or multi-factor authentication, will help you to regain control of your account and prevent further compromise.
A big part of the hacker’s strategy is to get their claws into your address book to hook others as well. Send a message to all your email contacts as soon as possible so they know to avoid opening any emails—most likely loaded with malware—that have come from you.
Two-factor or multi-factor authentication may seem like an additional, inconvenient step to your login, but it also adds another layer of protection. Enabling this means you will need a special one-time-use code to log in, aside from your password. This is sent to your mobile phone or generated via an authenticator app. So worthwhile!
It is common for hackers to modify your email settings so that a copy of every email you receive is automatically forwarded to them. Not only can they monitor your logins to other sites; they can also keep a watchful eye on any particularly juicy personal information. So, check your mail forwarding settings to ensure no unexpected email addresses have been added.
Also, ensure your ‘reply to’ email address is actually yours. Hackers have been known to create an email address that looks similar to yours, so that when someone replies, it will go straight to their account, not yours.
Don’t forget to check your email signature to ensure nothing spammy has been added, as well as your recovery phone number and alternate email address. Hackers also change these to maintain control. Update them to your own secure details.
Regularly scanning your devices for unwanted invaders is essential. If you find anything, please ensure it is addressed, and then change your email password again. If you don’t have antivirus software, please invest in it.
Comprehensive security software will provide you with a digital shield for your online life, protecting all your devices – including your smartphone – from viruses and malware. Some services also include a password manager to help you generate and store unique passwords for all your accounts.
If you have been hacked several times and your email provider isn’t mitigating the amount of spam you are receiving, consider starting afresh. Do not, however, delete your old email address because email providers are known to recycle old email addresses. This means a hacker could spam every site they can find with a ‘forgot my password’ request and try to impersonate you and steal your identity.
Your email is an important part of your online identity so being vigilant and addressing any fallout from hacking is essential for your digital reputation. Even though it may feel that getting hacked is inevitable, you can definitely reduce your risk by installing some good-quality security software on all your devices.
Trusted and reliable comprehensive security software will alert you when visiting risky websites, warn you when a download looks dodgy, and block annoying and dangerous emails with anti-spam technology. It makes sense really – if you don’t receive the dodgy phishing email – you can’t click on it. Smart!
Finally, don’t forget that hackers love social media – particularly those of us who overshare on it. So, before you post details of your adorable new kitten, remember it may just provide the perfect clue for a hacker trying to guess your email password!
Reporting an email hack is a crucial step to create a necessary paper trail for disputes with banks or credit agencies. When reporting, gather evidence such as screenshots of suspicious activity, unrecognized login locations and times, and any phishing emails you received. This information can be vital for the investigation.
Generally, no. Deleting the account can cause more problems than it solves. Many online services are linked to that email, and deleting it means you lose the ability to receive password reset links and security notifications for those accounts.
More importantly, some email providers recycle deleted addresses, meaning a hacker could potentially re-register your old email address and use it to impersonate you and take over your linked accounts.
The better course of action is to regain control, thoroughly secure the account with a new password and multi-factor authentication, and clean up any damage. Only consider migrating to a new email address after you have fully secured the old one.
Each email provider has a specific, structured process for account recovery. It is vital to only use the official recovery pages provided by the service and be wary of scam websites or third-party services that claim they can recover your account for a fee. Below are the official steps of the major providers that you can follow.
Your email account is the master key to your digital kingdom, and protecting it is more critical than ever since many of your other accounts are connected with your email. Realizing “my email has been hacked” is a stressful experience, but taking swift and correct action can significantly limit the damage.
By following the recovery steps and adopting strong, ongoing security habits like using a password manager and enabling multi-factor authentication, you can turn a potential crisis into a lesson in digital resilience. Stay vigilant, stay proactive, and keep your digital front door securely locked.
To add another wall of defense, consider investing in a trusted and reliable comprehensive security software like McAfee+. Our solution will help you dodge hacking attempts by alerting you when visiting risky websites, or downloading questionable apps, and blocking malicious emails with anti-spam technology.
The post What to Do If Your Email Is Hacked appeared first on McAfee Blog.
It’s that time of year again – tax season! Whether you’ve already filed in the hopes of an early refund or have yet to start the process, one thing is for sure: cybercriminals will certainly use tax season as a means to get victims to give up their personal and financial information. This time of year is advantageous for malicious actors since the IRS and tax preparers are some of the few people who actually need your personal data. As a result, consumers are targeted with various scams impersonating trusted sources like the IRS or DIY tax software companies. Fortunately, every year the IRS outlines the most prevalent tax scams, such as voice phishing, email phishing, and fake tax software scams. Let’s explore the details of these threats.
So, how do cybercriminals use voice phishing to impersonate the IRS? Voice phishing, a form of criminal phone fraud, uses social engineering tactics to gain access to victims’ personal and financial information. For tax scams, criminals will make unsolicited calls posing as the IRS and leave voicemails requesting an immediate callback. The crooks will then demand that the victim pay a phony tax bill in the form of a wire transfer, prepaid debit card or gift card. In one case outlined by Forbes, victims received emails in their inbox that allegedly contained voicemails from the IRS. The emails didn’t actually contain any voicemails but instead directed victims to a suspicious SharePoint URL. Last year, a number of SharePoint phishing scams occurred as an attempt to steal Office 365 credentials, so it’s not surprising that cybercriminals are using this technique to access taxpayers’ personal data now as well.
In addition to voice phishing schemes, malicious actors are also using email to try and get consumers to give up their personal and financial information. This year alone, almost 400 IRS phishing URLs have been reported. In a typical email phishing scheme, scammers try to obtain personal tax information like usernames and passwords by using spoofed email addresses and stolen logos. In many cases, the emails contain suspicious hyperlinks that redirect users to a fake site or PDF attachments that may download malware or viruses. If a victim clicks on these malicious links or attachments, they can seriously endanger their tax data by giving identity thieves the opportunity to steal their refund. What’s more, cybercriminals are also using subject lines like “IRS Important Notice” and “IRS Taxpayer Notice” and demanding payment or threatening to seize the victim’s tax refund.
Cybercriminals are even going so far as to impersonate trusted brands like TurboTax for their scams. In this case, DIY tax preparers who search for TurboTax software on Google are shown ads for pirated versions of TurboTax. The victims will pay a fee for the software via PayPal, only to have their computer infected with malware after downloading the software. You may be wondering, how do victims happen upon this malicious software through a simple Google search? Unfortunately, scammers have been paying to have their spoofed sites show up in search results, increasing the chances that an innocent taxpayer will fall victim to their scheme.
Money is a prime motivator for many consumers, and malicious actors are fully prepared to exploit this. Many people are concerned about how much they might owe or are predicting how much they’ll get back on their tax refund, and scammers play to both of these emotions. So, as hundreds of taxpayers are waiting for a potential tax return, it’s important that they navigate tax season wisely. Check out the following tips to avoid being spoofed by cybercriminals and identity thieves:
File before cybercriminals do it for you. The easiest defense you can take against tax season schemes is to get your hands on your W-2 and file as soon as possible. The more prompt you are to file, the less likely your data will be raked in by a cybercriminal.
Keep an eye on your credit and your identity. Keeping tabs on your credit report and knowing if your personal information has been compromised in some way can help prevent tax fraud. Together, they can let you know if someone has stolen your identity or if you have personal info on the dark web that could lead to identity theft.
Watch out for spoofed websites. Scammers have extremely sophisticated tools that help disguise phony web addresses for DIY tax software, such as stolen company logos and site designs. To avoid falling for this, go directly to the source. Type the address of a website directly into the address bar of your browser instead of following a link from an email or internet search. If you receive any suspicious links in your email, investigating the domain is usually a good way to tell if the source is legitimate or not.
Protect yourself from scam messages. Scammers also send links to scam sites via texts, social media messages, and email. Text Scam Detector can help you spot if the message you got is a fake. It uses AI technology that automatically detects links to scam URLs. If you accidentally click, don’t worry, it can block risky sites if you do.
Clean up your personal info online. Crooks and scammers have to find you before they can contact you. After all, they need to get your phone number or email from somewhere. Sometimes, that’s from “people finder” and online data brokers that gather and sell personal info to any buyer. Including crooks. McAfee Personal Data Cleanup can remove your personal info from the data broker sites scammers use to contact their victims.
Consider an identity theft protection solution. If for some reason your personal data does become compromised, be sure to use an identity theft solution such as McAfee Identity Theft Protection, which allows users to take a proactive approach to protect their identities with personal and financial monitoring and recovery tools to help keep their identities personal and secured.
The post How to Steer Clear of Tax Season Scams appeared first on McAfee Blog.
Tax season is a prime time for cybercriminals, especially those running phishing scams to steal W-2s. With many people filing their tax returns, scammers take advantage of the rush to trick unsuspecting individuals into handing over sensitive financial data. This blog highlights the rise in tax-related cybercrime and offers practical tips to keep your information safe.
W-2 phishing scams often involve emails that appear to be from the IRS or another official source, requesting personal information. These phishing emails can be highly sophisticated, often mimicking the look and feel of legitimate communications. The goal is to trick the recipient into revealing confidential data, such as social security numbers and financial information, which the perpetrator can then use for fraudulent purposes. The first step in protecting against such scams is understanding how they work and being able to recognize the red flags.
Phishing scams are fundamentally deception tactics—disguised as legitimate correspondence, they aim to trick the recipient into parting with sensitive information. In the case of W-2 phishing scams, the perpetrator often poses as an employer, government agency, or financial institution. The message may request that the recipient update their personal information, verify their identity, or provide their W-2 form. Typically, these emails have a sense of urgency, indicating that failure to comply will result in adverse consequences.
The contents of a phishing email are often compelling and appear to be authentic. They may contain official logos, legal disclaimers, and even legitimate contact details. However, closer examination often reveals telltale signs of phishing. For example, the email address of the sender may not match the organization they claim to represent, or the message may contain poor grammar and spelling. Additionally, phishing emails often require the recipient to click a link or open an attachment—actions that could potentially install malware on the victim’s device or redirect them to a fraudulent website.
McAfee Pro Tip: Nowadays, those sneaky social engineering tricks look a lot like legit messages from well-known folks. They’re super well-crafted, with proper grammar, and seamlessly fit into everyday situations. But don’t be fooled by their slick appearance – underneath it all, they’re still after your sensitive info. Keep your personal stuff safe and sound with McAfee+ to dodge the headaches that come with social engineering.
Recent years have seen a significant increase in the number of reported W-2 phishing scams. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), thousands of these scams occur every tax season, leading to substantial financial losses and ID theft. Not only does this affect individuals, but businesses too. In fact, some companies have reported instances where their entire workforce was targeted, resulting in massive data breaches.
The impact of falling for a W-2 phishing scam can be devastating. Once cybercriminals have gained access to your financial data, they can use it in a variety of malicious ways. This may include filing fraudulent tax returns, opening new credit accounts, or even selling the information on the black market. The recovery process from such scams can be lengthy and stressful, as victims have to prove their identity to the IRS, their bank, and credit reporting agencies. Additionally, they need to monitor their financial activity closely for signs of any further unauthorized transactions or fraudulent activities.
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Given the prevalence and potential impact of W-2 phishing scams, it’s crucial to take steps to protect yourself. One of the most effective strategies is to improve your digital literacy, namely your ability to identify and respond appropriately to phishing attempts. This includes being skeptical of unsolicited emails, especially those that ask for personal or financial information. Always verify the sender’s identity before responding or clicking any links. Remember, legitimate organizations rarely request sensitive information via email.
Another important safeguard is to ensure your computer and mobile devices are protected with up-to-date security software. This can help identify and block potential phishing emails and malicious links. Further, regularly backing up data can help mitigate the potential damage caused by a successful breach. Consider using a secure cloud service or an external storage device for this purpose.
Next is to file your tax returns as early as possible. By doing so, you can beat the scammers who might make an attempt to file a fraudulent tax return in your name. Additionally, if you receive an email that appears suspicious, do not click on the links or download the attachments included in that email. Instead, forward the suspicious email to phishing@irs.gov.
Using a VPN also adds an extra layer of security by encrypting your internet connection, protecting your personal data from hackers, especially when accessing sensitive information like tax documents.
Finally, two-factor authentication (2FA) is another excellent way to safeguard your data. By enabling 2FA, you are adding an extra layer of security that makes it harder for cybercriminals to access your data even if they get your password. Additionally, always be cautious about sharing your personal and financial information online. Make sure that you only enter such information on secure websites – those with ‘https://’ in the URL. Regularly check your financial accounts for any suspicious activity and report immediately to your bank if you notice anything unusual.
If you believe you have fallen victim to a W-2 phishing scam, it is crucial to act quickly. If you have divulged your social security number, contact the IRS immediately. They can aid you in taking steps to prevent potential tax fraud. Additionally, it would be wise to file an identity theft affidavit (Form 14039) with the IRS. This form alerts the IRS to the theft of your identity and allows them to secure your tax account.
Additionally, you should report the phishing scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using the FTC Complaint Assistant at FTC.gov. If you have clicked on a link or downloaded a suspicious attachment, run a full antivirus scan to check for malware. You should also consider placing a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit reports, which makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. Finally, you should check your credit reports frequently for any signs of fraudulent activity.
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Protecting your financial data during tax season is crucial, and being aware of phishing scams can save you from a world of trouble. By understanding the nature of W-2 phishing scams and implementing the above-mentioned best practices, you can keep your sensitive information safe. Remember to always be skeptical of unsolicited emails and never share personal or financial information unless you can confirm the legitimacy of the request. By doing so, you will not only protect yourself but also contribute to the collective fight against cybercrime.
Protecting your W-2 information during tax season is not a one-time effort but a continuous process. Always stay vigilant, and remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you ever suspect that you have become a victim of a W-2 phishing scam, take prompt action by reporting it to the relevant authorities and taking necessary measures to mitigate possible damages. The key to staying safe is staying informed, vigilant, and prepared.
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