Scam Alert: Hacked in the Parking Lot

The newest twist in computer cons

On this website, we have discussed many ways hackers have tried to pry your personal financial information from you. Now, hackers have devised an ingenious way to unleash an identity-stealing computer virus from about the last place you'd expect an online attack: a parking lot.

Reports from North Dakota authorities state that scammers are placing phony parking tickets on cars, which direct their owners to an "official" website that claims to have photos of the alleged violation. Once they go to the website, victims inadvertently download a nasty virus that can quickly cost them plenty.

Several drivers found tickets on cars they had parked at shopping malls, hospital and grocery stores. Some went to the designated website - and their computers were compromised.

Potential dangers include:

TRICKING YOU INTO BUYING A FAKE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE- The website instructs you to install a program to see photos of your car. The program then produces a message that announces your computer has a virus, and you're offered worthless "repair" software, that can be downloaded and often priced at fifty dollars or more

CAPTURING KEYSTROKES TO REVEAL PASSWORDS AND ACCOUNT NUMBERS- Usually, the software that is downloaded from a fake site allows the scammer to copy your keystrokes, which allows them access to your on-line banking accounts, and they can remotely wire money from them.

Unlike other malware attacks, this scam doesn't depend on you to open a corrupted e-mail sent by a stranger. Instead, it provides bait to lead you right to the virus. How can you protect yourself?

AVOID UNFAMILIAR WEBSITES- Don't visit a strange website simply because you get an e-mail or letter telling you to. If you do visit the site, never download or install new programs there unless you are sure you can trust the source.

BE WARY OF DOT-COM CONS- One giveaway on the parking ticket website, other than some typos is that the URL ended in ".com." Online addresses of most official agencies end in ".gov."

CONSIDER A "SECURITY SUITE"- These protection programs - from McAfee and Norton - cost about twenty dollars more than traditional antivirus and antispyware software, but it will add another line of security for you and your computer.

To learn more about online security, visit:

Link to StaySafeOnline.org

Link to OnGuard Online.gov

 

MYSTERY/SECRET SHOPPER SCHEMES

The IC3 has been alerted to an increase in employment schemes pertaining to mystery/secret shopper positions. Many retail and service corporations hire evaluators to perform secret or random checks on themselves or their competitors, and fraudsters are capitalizing on this employment opportunity.

Victims have reported to the IC3 they were contacted via e-mail and U.S. mail to apply to be a mystery shopper. Applicants are asked to send a resume and are purportedly subject to an extensive background check before being accepted as a mystery shopper. The employees are sent a check with instructions to shop at a specified retailer for a specific length of time and spend a specific amount on merchandise from the store. The employees receive instructions to take note of the store's environment, color, payment procedures, gift items, and shopping/carrier bags, or other related tasks,  and report back to the employer.

The second evaluation is the ease and accuracy of wiring money from the retail location. The money to be wired is also included in the check sent to the employee. The remaining balance is the employee's payment for the completion of the assignment. After merchandise is purchased and money is wired, the employees are advised by the bank the check cashed was counterfeit, and they are responsible for the money lost, in addition to back fees incurred.

In other versions of the scheme, applicants are requested to provide bank account information to have money directly deposited into their accounts. The fraudster then has acquired access to these victims' accounts and can withdraw money, which makes the applicant a victim of identity theft.

Here are some tips you can use to avoid becoming a victim of employment schemes associated with mystery/secret shopping:

  • Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail.

  • Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.

  • Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as files may contain viruses. Virus scan all attachments, if possible. Only open attachments from known senders.

  • Avoid filling out forms contained in e-mail messages that ask for personal information.

  • There are legitimate mystery/secret shopper programs available. Research the legitimacy on companies hiring mystery shoppers. Legitimate companies will not charge an application fee and will accept applications online.

  • No legitimate mystery/secret shopper program will send payment in advance and ask the employee to send a portion of it back.

Individuals who believe they have information pertaining to mystery/secret shopper schemes are encouraged to file a complaint at:

Link to Internet Crime Complaint Center

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