Scam Alert! Tips for avoiding online marketplace scams. Scam Alert! Tips for avoiding online marketplace scams.
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Safeguard Your Vote: Top Tips to Outsmart Election-Related Scams

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With many global elections occurring over the next 6 weeks, we’ve seen an increase in election-related scams targeting unsuspecting voters. A recent survey conducted by Norton44 found that more than half of Americans have already been targeted by one of these scams, with younger voters being most likely to be targeted. These scams have become more sophisticated this election season with the improvements in AI.

What do you need to look out for? This year has seen an increase in AI-powered audio, images, and videos designed to sow confusion and cloud the political debate – like the deep fake images of Taylor Swift and Swifties supporting Donald Trump45 and the fake AI audio endorsement of a Chinese-backed candidate in this year’s Taiwan elections46. In addition, bad actors are also using impersonation scams and robocalls to spread misinformation to or direct voters to a fraudulent donation site. Finally, you should be on the lookout for calls and texts that question your voter registration status or change your voting location. 

Here are tips to protect yourself this and every election season:

  • Wait before you share it. Make sure you check multiple sources before you share election focused memes, audio, video and social media posts
  • If someone calls and claims you’re not registered to vote, do not share your personal information. Go to a trusted voter registration site and check your status.
  • If you are considering donating to a campaign, do your research and confirm that it is a legitimate group.
  • Don’t click on survey and poll links from unsolicited emails and texts.

Stay #CyberFlexed!

ticket scams

Watch Out for Ticket Scams!

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Ticket scams are on the rise, and even Taylor Swift fans (aka Swifties) aren’t immune. As Taylor Swift returns to North America for the final leg of her Eras Tour, scammers are targeting eager fans, and it’s estimated that over $1 million has already been lost to fraudulent ticket sales. With these scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, knowing how to protect yourself when purchasing tickets online is more important than ever.

What Is a Ticket Scam?

A ticket scam occurs when someone sells you a fake, duplicated, or non-existent ticket. Often, you won’t realize the ticket is fraudulent until you arrive at the venue—by which time, it’s too late. Not only have you lost your money, but you’ve also missed the event you were excited about. Scammers are skilled at making their schemes appear legitimate, often using fake websites, classified ads, or social media platforms to target unsuspecting buyers.

Red Flags to Watch Out For:

  1. Too Good to Be True Prices: If the price is significantly lower than the standard rate, be cautious. Scammers use these “too good to be true” prices to lure buyers into rushing the purchase without further investigation.
  2. Pressure Tactics: Scammers often create a false sense of urgency by claiming that tickets will sell out quickly. This tactic is meant to rush your decision, leaving you little time to evaluate the offer’s legitimacy.
  3. Unverified Sellers: Always check if the seller is verified. Whether through a ticket marketplace or a social media contact, it’s crucial to verify who you’re dealing with. Look for reviews, ratings, and feedback from previous buyers to ensure the seller is legitimate.

Top Tips to Avoid Ticket Scams:

  1. Avoid Buying Tickets Through Social Media: Even if the offer comes from a friend or a friend of a friend, be cautious. Scammers often hack accounts and post fake ticket listings, making it appear as though the ticket is coming from a trusted source.
  2. Buy from Reputable Sites: Always purchase your tickets from well-known, reputable ticket-selling platforms. To ensure the website is secure, double-check the URL for a lock icon and ensure the address starts with “https://”. You can also confirm if the resale site is listed on verifiedticketsource.com to ensure it’s trustworthy.
  3. Research the Prices: Before purchasing, check the ticket prices across multiple platforms. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often lure buyers with unusually low prices to scam them out of their money.
  4. Use Secure Payment Methods: Avoid paying via unsecured methods like wire transfers or gift cards, as these are harder to trace and recover. Instead, use payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as credit cards or secure online payment systems like PayPal.
  5. Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a ticket scam, report it immediately. By reporting, you can help protect others from falling victim to similar scheme
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Alert! Beware of Fake Police Calls & Messages!

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We’ve seen an uptick in reports of cyber criminals impersonating law enforcement or other government agencies to scare you into paying a “fine” to avoid being arrested! This is a scam!

Just to be clear, no law enforcement, police force, or other government agency will contact you and make these demands! 

Some examples include telling you there’s a warrant for your arrest for unpaid parking fines, missed jury duty, or anything else. This is a form of social engineering using fear as the motivating factor to react and send money. 

Here are some tips to keep you safe:

  • Don’t answer calls or respond to text messages or emails from numbers/senders you do not recognize
  • Don’t click on links or open documents in emails or text messages/emails that you were not expecting
  • Never give others your banking or other personal information 
  • Never send money/bitcoin or buy gift cards 
  • Report the scam immediately to the agency or organization being impersonated
  • Other reporting options can be found here: How to Report Scams

If you think you’ve fallen victim to one of these scams, call your bank immediately and report it! There are also resources to help you recover!

Stay safe.

Stay CyberFlexed!

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Alert! 6 Signs to Spot Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

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When so many people are struggling with student debt, it’s disheartening to see scams tricking vulnerable borrowers who are desperate for help. In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking legal action against these scams, but they keep popping up in new forms. This means borrowers must be extra careful, especially since there have been several student loan forgiveness programs proposed by the U.S. government.

Here are six red flags to watch out for:

  1. False Promises

Forgiveness programs often promise immediate relief in exchange for a fee. However, legitimate federal programs require time and eligibility criteria to be met, as exemplified by the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

  1. Upfront Payments

Demanding money upfront is illegal. To avoid unnecessary fees, borrowers should apply for forgiveness programs or loan consolidation themselves.

  1. Sensitive Information Requests

Scammers may ask for personal information, posing identity theft risks. Legitimate agencies won’t request such details over the phone or email.

  1. False Affiliations

Some companies claim affiliation with government agencies, using official logos to appear credible. However, these claims are untrue, as the Department of Education does not endorse such entities.

  1. High-Pressure Tactics

Scammers often rush borrowers into decisions, exploiting fears of missed opportunities. Legitimate processes allow time for research and consideration.

  1. Power of Attorney Requests

Signing such forms grants undue control over loan accounts, posing significant risks. Do NOT sign one!

If you’ve fallen victim to a scam:

  • Contact your loan servicer immediately.
  • Inform your bank or credit card company.
  • File complaints with relevant authorities.
  • Monitor your credit report and change passwords.

Legitimate avenues for loan relief exist, such as income-based repayment plans, loan consolidation, refinancing, and debt counseling. Research thoroughly and avoid exorbitant fees. Remember, you can safely navigate the student loan landscape with awareness and diligence. You can access more resources from our Resource page.

Using Weak Passwords: Cyber Red Flags Series

Passwords: Unleash Your Creativity for Your Security

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Cyberattacks, data breaches, and online threats are ever-present, potentially compromising our personal information, financial security, and privacy. 

One of the most basic steps you can take is to use strong and unique passwords.  

Here are three simple tips:

  1. Be unpredictable! Create strong, complex passwords combining leTteRs, numb3rs, and special ch@rac+er&. NEVER use personal info like pet names, birthdays, or parts of your social security number.
  2. Let your accounts be unique! Use a different password for each online account to prevent a single breach from compromising multiple accounts.
  3. Use the tools!. Using a reputable password manager to generate, store, and autofill complex passwords securely, and/or take advantage of your browser’s password manager feature for low risk accounts.

A small investment of your creativity and time goes a long way to better security! Don’t be weak!