Latest news with #onlinefraud
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
99 Dangerous TikTok Accounts You Must Not Follow
Do not become a TikTok victim. While most TikTok warnings focus on the perceived threat from its ownership and whether or not U.S. data is openly or secretly transmitted to China, there are other threats for its vast user base as well — these are very real and happening now. The team at Guardio has just warned that 'there's an ongoing scam on TikTok involving dozens of accounts that post emotional videos that link to websites that either collect donations (usually claiming to support animals) or sell products.' The videos (1,2) 'are highly manipulative and some have millions of views and hundreds of comments.' The products are as you'd expect, 'cow slippers, dog lamps, and more.' The researchers say these videos 'often ask viewers to 'watch for 9 seconds to help the cause' and are designed to tug at your emotions to encourage donations or purchases.' But it's all fake. 'Some likely use AI or deepfakes, while others use videos stolen from real accounts without consent.' And as is the tendency with TikTok, it's spreading like wildfire as 'new fake accounts keep appearing on the platform.' Unsurprisingly, Guardio warns that 'if you donate through these scam sites, your money won't reach any animal shelter. And if you buy something, you might receive it — but it's usually a cheap product, not the handmade item the video promised.' The warning for TikTok users is not to watch these videos as they're misleading fakes, but also more critically never to click on any links or buy any products or provide any information if asked. And even more simply — do not follow any of these accounts. These accounts also rely on casual shares and likes, spreading their dangerous viral content — do not do that either. You would be sending malicious links to your own followers, putting even more money into these scammers' pockets. Scam website preying on TikTok users While new accounts are being set up continually, below is the latest list from Guardio on those you should avoid. If you have any doubts, check the list: 1. @cozymoos 2. @injesusname7777 3. @customlovebricks 4. @milkstep5 5. @ 6. @ 7. @ 8. @thethronelight 9. @meow_slipps 10. @wonderglowlamps 11. @ 12. @happypowcollection1 13. @ 14. @maybleandclyde 15. @robersfarm7 16. @saddleslips 17. @ 18. @ 19. @mooberryslips 20. @ 21. @whiskerloafers 22. @potterbirkins 23. @cappyslippers 24. @cuddlecowslippers 25. @@purrpawshub 26. @ 27. @myfluffislippers 28. @myfluffislippers 29. @purrslippers 30. @Catslides 31. @catslidess 32. @plushpuff_ 33. @ 34. @faithrugs 35. @fluffislippersshop 36. @kittenkickss 37. @eternalembracelove 38. @pawzyco 39. @mooluxe_slippers 40. @fuzzyflips 41. @theholyblankets42. @ 43. @themooluxe 44. @davidsslippershop 45. @davidsslippersco 46. @fluffislippers2 47. @catslides2 48. @catslidesus 49. @plushypods 50. @kittykicksofficial 51. @flappybirdtoy 52. @flappyybirdyy 53. @ 54. @pawpawslippers 55. @ 56. @meowpaws_1 57. @mymeowslides 58. @pawsywawsi 59. @meowandvibes 60. @ 61. @ 62. @ 63. @cowslideslips 64. @ellyslides 65. @purrfits_ 66. @milkstep4 67. @shopdachslides 68. @purr_pads 69. @ 70. @moo_slips 71. @ 72. @meowwings_go 73. @shleepersco 74. @ 75. @pawmadeslippers 76. @moozyslipper 77. @zacapyslides 78. @pugfooty 79. @mymeowslides 80. @ 81. @doggydwellers 82. @fluffypaws327 83. @cuddlecowslipper 84. @moozies2 85. @swiftyslips86. @ 87. @ 88. @themoooves_ 89. @farmslippers_official 90. @mooluxe_slippers8 91. @ 92. @littledaisyslips 93. @stitch_timeofmygrandpa 94. @ 95. @papamooslippers 96. @snuggslipsrescue 97. @capybarakicks 98. @ 99. @shoppetwear
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Bank account emptied of more than $25K after Ontario woman put banking info into fake CRA website
Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Ruth Jean of London, Ont., recently wanted to open a business account with the Canada Revenue Agency. When she did a quick Google search in March, it led her to a website which she said looked a lot like the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), making her believe she was using the actual website. 'How was I supposed to know it was a scammer. I didn't know that,' Jean told CTV News Toronto. Jean operates her own company and said she needed to set up a business account with the CRA and clicked on the first website that appeared on top of a search page. 'I went on Google and typed in 'CRA Business login' and clicked on it. The CRA name was on there,' Jean said. She said she was asked to put in her Social Insurance Number as well as other personal information. Then, she was asked for her banking details. 'It asked for the card number, the ATM password and the expiration date for the card, and all that information, so I put it in,' said Jean. 'After I submitted the information, the screen went black.' Jean then realized she was on a spoofed CRA website that looked like the real thing. Once the scammers gained access to her banking account, she said they emptied it of $26,820. Earlier this year, CTV News reported on a senior who was trying to buy GIC's but also got caught in a fake website scam, costing him $750,000. CTV News reached out to Google and Microsoft, the parent company of the search engine, Bing. While Microsoft did not provide a comment, a spokesperson for Google said in a statement, 'Protecting our users is a top priority and we have strict policies that govern the ads on our platform. These scams are prohibited on our platforms and when we find ads that breach our policies we take immediate action, including removing the ads and suspending advertiser accounts when necessary.' However, a cybersecurity expert told CTV News there are ways to circumvent those policies. 'Individuals can pay to have listings right to the top and some of the websites are not verified. They are what we call spoofed websites,' said Ritesh Kotak. Kotak said when browsing the internet, you need to make sure you are on the proper website before entering financial information. Installing third-party checkers can also help detect fraud. 'The easiest way is to read up in the browsers and make sure it is accurate and spelled correctly,' said Kotak. 'If you are going to be putting in personal information, look for the padlock in the browser, this means there is a security certificate and your information is encrypted.' Jean told CTV News she's devastated to lose her hard earned money. 'I feel sad and angry. I didn't know this could happen. I was just trying to sign-up for a business account for CRA.' According to Google, the website is investing heavily in the enforcement of its policies and have thousands of employees working around the clock to create and enforce policies at a large scale. In 2024, the website restricted over 9.1 billion ads, suspended over 39.2 million advertiser accounts for egregious policy violations and blocked over 5.1 billion ads for violating its policies.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- The Guardian
Funeral scams: ‘It's hard to imagine a more callous form of fraud'
A Facebook post shares a link to the live stream of a funeral service, or to a fundraising page set up by the family of the deceased. Clicking on that takes you to a separate page where it asks for your card details, and explains there is a £10 fee to watch the virtual funeral, or requests a donation. You make the payment but nothing happens. That's because it's a scam, with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) recently sounding the alarm over a disturbing type of fraud that sees victims share personal information, or tricked into transferring money. Katherine Hart, the CTSI's lead officer for doorstep crime, says: 'It's hard to imagine a more callous form of fraud.' She adds: 'What's particularly upsetting is that victims often feel they can't report what's happened for fear of adding further stress to grieving families. That silence is exactly what these criminals are counting on.' Virtual funerals became common during the Covid pandemic and continue to be popular, as they allow friends and relatives who can't attend in person to pay their respects. But they have become a target for online scammers who often home in on deaths that have been in the media, or those of young people, as they know there will be a lot of public interest. The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) says the scam has been circulating for two years and is happening across the UK and Ireland. As many victims do not report what has happened, it is hard to gauge the number of cases, but the trade body says that anecdotally they continue to rise. Fraudsters are scanning publicly available funeral notices and creating fake Facebook profiles, posing as family members or friends of the deceased, according to the CTSI. The criminals then contact mourners with bogus links to funeral live streams that demand payment, or set up fake donation pages, often on trusted fundraising platforms. Sometimes they send friend requests to people connected to the original site which, if they accept, can give them access to their photographs and details. After clicking on the live stream link, mourners are prompted to pay. The fake link then causes heartbreak as the individual may be missing a genuine live stream, but is also upset by the fact that they have given their card details to a scammer. Don't hand over any money. Andrew Judd, NAFD chief executive, says that, as a rule, funeral directors do not charge for livestreaming. The public should be 'extremely wary of any external links supposedly promoting one and asking for money', he says. 'Similarly, for pages seemingly fundraising, or asking for donations, instead of clicking, always check with the family or the funeral director to see whether it is legitimate.' 'If a funeral is being livestreamed, a funeral director will be able to provide the genuine link and is always happy to be asked if anyone has concerns.' Embarrassed victims often don't tell anyone, but Hart says that 'silence is exactly what these criminals are counting on,' adding: 'We need people to stay vigilant, share warnings and report anything suspicious.' The CTSI reiterates that you should never be charged to attend a funeral, whether in person or via live stream. You should only donate through official, verified channels, and should check with the named funeral director or celebrant if unsure, it adds. On social media, be cautious of friend requests or messages from unfamiliar profiles, even if they appear to be mutual friends. If you think you have given you card details to a fraudster, contact your bank immediately. While trying to raise awareness of the scam, the CTSI says it needs the public to 'speak out, report concerns and protect others from becoming a victim'. If you or someone you know has been affected, and you live in England and Wales, you should contact Action Fraud via its website or by calling 0300 123 2040. Otherwise, call Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or Consumerline in Northern Ireland on 0300 123 6262.
Free Malaysia Today
19-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang woman loses RM794,000 to online investment scam
Penang police chief Hamzah Ahmad urged the public to verify investment schemes with Bank Negara Malaysia or the Securities Commission. (Bernama pic) GEORGE TOWN : A woman from Bukit Mertajam lost RM794,000 to an online investment scam that promised 100% returns, say police. In a statement today, Penang police chief Hamzah Ahmad said the 47-year-old interior designer came across a Facebook advertisement in early April offering quick profits, and later communicated with a woman, posing as a representative, via WhatsApp. He said the victim was instructed to download an app called CSECdt, register and begin investing. Hamzah said the victim made seven bank transfers to different company accounts between April 11 and June 3, only realising it was a scam when she was asked to pay RM200,000 in taxes to withdraw her supposed RM2 million profit. He said the woman then filed a police report, which is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Hamzah urged the public to verify investment schemes with Bank Negara Malaysia or the Securities Commission before investing. 'Online schemes promising high returns are very risky. Don't fall for scammers hiding behind social media platforms,' he said.
CNET
19-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
DuckDuckGo Can Now Warn You About Fake Crypto Exchanges and Other Online Scams
DuckDuckGo, the privacy-focused search engine, announced Thursday that it updated its browser's Scam Blocker to guard you against more online threats. The company said online that its Scam Blocker can now warn you about fake crypto exchanges, scam e-commerce storefronts and fraudulent virus warnings. Scam Blocker could previously help protect you against phishing sites, malware and other common online scams. Read more: DuckDuckGo Offers a VPN and More in New Privacy Subscription Service According to a report from the Federal Trade Commission, people lost about $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 -- a 25% increase from 2023 -- with online shopping scams being the second most reported type of fraud. DuckDuckGo said online that Scam Blocker is intended to help protect you from these scams while maintaining your privacy. When using Scam Blocker on your browser, you'll still see pop-ups and links to malicious sites. But according to DuckDuckGo, if you click on these links, Scam Blocker won't load them. The company wrote online that Scam Blocker will show you a warning message to let navigate away from the page safely. DuckDuckGo DuckDuckGo designed Scam Blocker in-house, and the company said the feature utilizes a feed of malicious site URLs from the independent cybersecurity company Netcraft. According to DuckDuckGo, Scam Blocker maintains your anonymity by storing Netcraft's list of malicious site URLs on DuckDuckGo servers. Then, the company says it passes the list to your browser every 20 minutes to keep your list as up-to-date as possible. The list is then stored locally on your device. "Scam Blocker uses local storage to minimize the number of times your device communicates with our servers," DuckDuckGo told CNET in an email. "That, along with an anonymized hashing solution that obscures the sites you've visited, means your browsing remains anonymous. And after you load the dataset for the first time, fewer network requests make subsequent checks faster." Scam Blocker is free and available on DuckDuckGo's mobile and desktop browsers. According to the company, it's on by default, so you don't have to search through menus to enable it. For more on DuckDuckGo, here's what to know about the privacy-focused search engine, five reasons why you should use it and what to know about its VPN service.
