Are you under A.T.T.A.C.K?

Social manipulation, in the context of fraud, is the art of manipulating end users into providing personal or confidential information. Personal cyber-attacks come in many forms. Here are a few tips that can help you to spot them.

A – An Email

Phishing emails may look legitimate, but you should always question links, attachments, threads, or emails from someone unexpected.

T – Trick Websites

These are made to look like trusted websites but often have spelling or grammar errors or a slightly different URL. Farming the data from these trick websites allows criminals to gather personal details and record your keystrokes.

T -Text Messages

Social engineers will send you a text message about an urgent bill payment or some type of attractive offer. Also, beware of fake messages that appear to be from the government asking you to click a link to receive your rebate, return or payment. If you click these links on a mobile device message it could put your mobile phone at risk.

A – A Telephone Call

Fraudsters may call and say they are from Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Post or Microsoft, or maybe even your financial institution, and proceed to ask you to disclose personal information. Before going ahead with this, you need to ask yourself what valid reason would there be for you receiving the call and why would you provide those details if you didn’t initiate the call? If you still cannot determine the legitimacy of the caller, ask them to proceed via email because you cannot speak in depth at the moment.

C – Contest Winner

“Congratulations! You’ve won a big contest!” This message can come to you via email, text or phone. But did you even enter a contest? If not, it is more than likely an attempt by a fraudster to gather personal information from you. Do not fall for it!

K – Key Loggers

You’re browsing a familiar website and receive a pop-up of an offer that looks too good to be true! If you click the pop-up that social engineer may be trying to capture sensitive information.

When in doubt……..Hang up! Delete! Exit!

Social Engineering is on the rise. Watch for these signs of an attack and take these steps to protect yourself. Ask questions. Do not feel pressured into providing any information you may not be comfortable providing. Never share your ID, passwords, or any answers to your security questions. Use caution when entering sensitive information with websites that don’t begin with HTTPS or when something arrives that you were not expecting. Always remember to report anything suspicious.

YNCU members, if you know, or think you have been ATTACKED please contact our Service Excellence Centre at 1-800-413-YNCU (9628).

You can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Center at 1-888-495-8501. Check out this video for more information on protecting yourself against a cyber-attack.