Have you ever been afraid of falling victim to online fraud? Today we’ll tell you how to avoid it and discuss the various types that exist.
Technology has become an integral part of our lives, offering numerous advantages that make life easier. However, are these advantages a double-edged sword?
In the last year, cybercriminals have increased their activity in businesses by 44%. This surge has been observed during the declaration of the Spanish state of alarm. Spain, like other European countries, has witnessed the rise of cybercrime since 2011.
Over the past decade, online fraud has seen a growth of 813% in Spanish territory, with businesses being the most affected in 2020.
So, today we explain the types of deception to help you avoid them and prevent them from reaching your company or organization.
Types of Online Fraud
Companies can fall victim to various types of theft, with the majority being perpetrated through email.
Email spoofing, or the impersonation of a company’s identity, is the favorite tool of cybercriminals aiming to deceive consumers of that brand. Through this technique, scammers impersonate the identity of companies to send spam, spread malware, or engage in phishing practices.
Phishing is one of the most common actions to obtain customers’ personal data by impersonating their identity.
Types of Identity Theft:
- Fake Microsoft Technical Support:
This scam involves a Microsoft technician contacting the company under the pretext of “fixing various technical issues with the computer.” This allows them to obtain confidential information from the company without arousing suspicion.
- CEO Fraud:
This online fraud is based on deceiving a worker in the financial department with access to banking transactions. The employee receives an email from the “CEO, president, or director of the company” requesting an urgent and confidential transaction to another account, which belongs to the scammer.
- HR Fraud:
This scam targets the company’s Human Resources personnel. The department receives an email from a “worker” who wants to change the account where they receive their salary. A request like this results in the theft of an employee’s salary, transferring it to the scammer’s account.
- Sextortion Campaign:
This scam involves threatening a worker with the disclosure of personal or intimate content to their entire contact list if they do not make a payment to the provided account. This practice has various variants, including the use of other content to extort the company or the worker.
- Ransomware:
This scam involves blocking the company’s computers until an immediate financial transaction is made. Access to the computers is typically gained through the execution or download of specific content sent via email.
- Web Skimming:
Cybercriminals exploit unpatched vulnerabilities in content management systems or phishing campaigns to gain access to the store. This allows them to steal all personal information entered by customers.
- Website Impersonation:
One of the most commonly used online frauds involves copying the official website to obtain personal data and money from purchases. This is carried out through cybersquatting techniques, creating an exact copy of both the design and information on the website.
Identify online fraud in your inbox
Email is one of the primary working methods for companies; hence, scammers will attempt fraudulent practices using this system.
Here are some elements to consider when receiving suspicious notifications:
1. Senders:
Pay special attention to the senders of your emails; most of them have one of these structures:
- They do not match official addresses and are often similar (remember that if you want to confirm the contact, you can call the official entity).
- The email starts with “Dear taxpayer” or “Dear customer” with the invoice number hidden. Companies usually identify themselves from the beginning.
- They are different from previous messages or request personal information.
2. Links:
When receiving any link in the email, it is advisable not to open it until confirming its source. You can analyze the way the link is written.
Pay special attention to punctuation marks, the security certificate, spelling mistakes, or if it is very different from the official website link.
3. Attachments:
Attachments are another tactic used to spread malware or obtain personal data from your customers. Be suspicious when the sender is unknown, or your company has not requested such information.
According to a study by TransUnion, an international analysis and information organization, the most affected sectors are telecommunications, financial services, and gambling.
Another indicator in recent years has been the development of these scams in major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia.
With the technological leap we have experienced due to the COVID-19 health crisis, it was expected that these scams would increase.
Therefore, we have wanted to create this article to make you aware of how to protect your company from these frauds. Feel free to follow the advice we have provided.
