The recent quarantine and social distancing guidelines set by the
CDC due to COVID-19 have people ditching face-to-face socialization and running
to the next best thing… social media! With go-to social media platforms like
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and businesses using standard email and the
Zoom video conferencing app people are utilizing online communication
technology more than ever.
With an increase in online communication comes an increase in
scammers. Scammers, like any money-making businesses, seek opportunities
whenever they see them. Unfortunately for those who are just trying to connect
with friends or work from home, these scammers are using this upsurge in online
activity as an opportunity to target those whom they think they can scam.
Here are 3 things to keep in mind as you navigate safely online:
- Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: Never
accept friend requests or reply to messages from someone you do not actually
know or who has a duplicate account without verifying it's really them. Even if you have mutual friends, your
friends could have been duped by these dubious scammers as well, making it look
like they know the same people you know. This is just a tactic used to make
them seem more trust worthy. The scammer will friend as many people as will
accept them to look as if they are a local person in your circle of friends.
- Email: Common
among businesses are scam emails requesting you to “make a purchase” on someone
else’s behalf. It may look like a real person you know; a friend, co-worker, or
even your boss, but do not be fooled. This type of scammer will say whatever it
takes (usually promising gifts) to get you to buy gift cards or give them your
company bank account information. If you ever get an email of someone (even a
co-worker or boss) wanting you to “make a purchase”, do not reply to it.
Better yet, call the person on the phone and verify if it’s them - more than
likely it’s NOT them. NEVER send bank account information, gift card
numbers, or anything having to do with money over an email without first
calling and speaking to the person requesting it on the phone.
- ZOOM/video apps:
The app with the highest growth during this home lock-down saga has got to be
ZOOM. People are using ZOOM for business conference calls, church meetings,
school lessons, exercise classes, and to just hang out “face-to-face” with
friends. As convenient and versatile as this app is, it too comes with its own
set of security and safety issues. The most prevalent concern thus far is that anyone can join a ZOOM meeting. A cyber attack referred to as "Zoombombing" is when someone you do not know joins in your meeting and basically hijacks the session and in some cases begins flooding the meeting with profane and/or pornographic material. They may also be recording the hijacking to then post on TikTok or YouTube for the entertainment of others. Since the creation of this article, ZOOM is now working on this security issue and are testing "Waiting Rooms" and other means of filtering who can join a ZOOM session.
- Another more comical issue is where someone does not realize another person is on a
ZOOM meeting and says something or is dressed (or not dressed) in a manner not
intended for public viewing, then proceeds to say something or walk-by in the
background of the ZOOM viewing area. While these video clips of people are popular online, they can also pose a security and safety threat. Your
personal information being viewed online or someone being unknowingly exposed
indecently are things to be aware of when starting a ZOOM session. Let everyone
in your household know when you will be in the ZOOM app and try to position
yourself where no personal information can be displayed.
Some of these tips may seem like common sense, but sometimes
when we are in the moment we don’t
stop and think “is this who I think it is”, then before you know it, you’ve
replied to someone who’s not who you thought. Use these apps wisely and
continue to stay connected keeping your employees communicating, and your business
running smoothly, even from home.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay connected.
Written by Shanda Anders
Our hope is that you are safe, healthy, and can rest assured knowing C2 Freight is working hard to take care of you and your freight during this trying time for our great nation.
