(NewsInsights.org) – Cyberscams have become rampant globally. Phishing scams have taken in at least 30% of adult users worldwide. So agents took the threat seriously when Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) reported a potential phone hack to the FBI, claiming someone had impersonated Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
On May 1, during remarks to The Hill and Valley Forum, a bipartisan community conference of lawmakers and tech innovators, Graham briefly explained that he thought he had received a text message from Schumer, but “it ain’t from Schumer, and the next thing you know, my phone’s…” Graham trailed off before warning that evil people could hack anything.
Graham’s office confirmed that the Senate Sergeant at Arms was spearheading the investigation. Typically, the FBI does not comment on ongoing investigations and wouldn’t confirm the senator’s assertion that it had his phone.
Still, Graham may have joined the ranks of thousands of Americans who have experienced spoofing firsthand. Spoofing is a technique where criminals disguise who they are by using display names, phone numbers, email addresses, website URLs, or text messages that look like they are coming from trusted sources.
Cybercriminals often use spoofed credentials to solicit confidential information, potentially leading to identity theft. They may also spoof victims to draw them into installing spyware or malware on their devices. Businesses, celebrities, and politicians have all become high-profile targets, causing problems ranging from scandals to data breaches and from loss of income to loss of network control for business empires.
Prevention is the best way to avoid consequences. Steps consumers can take to avoid spoofing include:
- Don’t open emails, links, or attachments from unknown senders
- Don’t log into accounts from email links. Instead, open a new tab or the dedicated app and log in directly
- Invest in reputable cybersecurity software for devices to warn about threats, stop malware downloads, and protect against viruses. Keep your security software updated
- Turn on email spam filters. Often, this one step will prevent spoofed messages from reaching potential victims
- Never provide personal information to anyone making unsolicited queries
People who believe they might have fallen victim to a spoofing or phishing scam should contact the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center. If the action has caused financial loss, people should also contact their local authorities and submit a complaint. Victims can also contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Copyright 2024, NewsInsights.org
