You’ve all heard of phishing emails. You receive an email that entices you to click a link or go to a website that also appears legitimate. There you are asked for information, and you are made to feel that you should legitimately share or enter that information. From there, cyber-criminals steal your password or other information – to take advantage of you. The same can happen with physical snails. If you thought you were safe from cyber-attacks from snail mail, think again. Cybercriminals are always looking at new ways to scam people and "snail mail phishing,"is the latest trend. and it's as sneaky as it sounds. Here's what you need to know.
How do snail mail scams work? Over in Germany, the State Office of Criminal Investigation of Lower Saxony has been waving red flags about postal pirates. One of the scams involves QR codes and this is how it works. Imagine retrieving a letter from your mailbox that has the logo of your bank or other financial institution on them. The letter talks about "urgent" updates to your account and includes a QR code for easy access. Easy? Yes. Safe? Nope. After scanning the QR code you are directed to a website that looks and acts just like your bank site, where they steal your login information when you attempt to access your account. I've talked about QR codes and "quishing" in past blog posts, but this is a rare instance of criminals using snail mail to hook you into a scam. If you're wondering how criminals know about your personal information, it's not hard to get personal details about you with all of the data ke
How to stay safe from snail mail scams. Always be vigilant about unexpected mail that shows up in your mailbox. Never provide personal information unless you've verified the mail's legitimacy, check for suspicious details like poor grammar or urgent requests for money, and contact the company directly if you doubt the authenticity of email.
Other points to remember:
Be wary of enticing offer. Watch out for mail claiming you've won a large prize, received a lottery win, or have been specially selected for a great deal, as these are often scams.
Verify before responding. If you receive a request for personal information or payment, contact the company directly through a known phone number or website to confirm its legitimacy.
Check for red flags. Look for poor grammar, odd formatting, suspicious return addresses, or urgent requests to send money immediately.
Never send cash or wire money. Scammers often ask for payment via wire transfer or cashier's check, which can be difficult to recover.
Protect your personal information. Don't share sensitive details like your Social Security number, bank account information, or credit card details in response to unsolicited mail.
Report suspicious mail. If you suspect a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local consumer protection agency
Hopefully, this will give you tips to help you stay safe from snail mail scams. If you have any questions, please reach out. I'm always available.
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