The rise of a new threat called ‘boss scam’ in the US is causing individuals to think twice before responding to a text from their supervisor. Recent reports highlight a New York City-based TikToker who was targeted by this attack. In the scam, the individual received a text message that appeared to be from the president of their company. The message requested the purchase of $1,000 in Apple gift cards for clients, which could supposedly be charged to the company card. While the TikToker remained vigilant and did not fall for the scam, thousands of others have fallen victim, resulting in significant financial losses for companies.
The Better Business Bureau explains that scammers conduct extensive research on companies before executing their schemes. They identify the firm, search for information on executives, and target unsuspecting employees. In this particular case, the TikToker received the message while leaving work. The text began with a greeting and mentioned the sender being in a webinar, thus requesting communication through text. However, the TikToker became suspicious when the sender asked for assistance in purchasing Apple gift cards. He questioned whether his boss was actually in a webinar, to which the scammer confirmed falsely. Thankfully, the TikToker realized that something was amiss and did not proceed with the scam.
Unfortunately, cases like these are not uncommon, and many individuals have fallen for similar scams. AT&T, for example, has issued warnings to its customers, advising them to be cautious when receiving text messages from unknown numbers, as they should never respond to such messages. Gift card scams, perpetrated by individuals who disguise themselves as friends or family members, have become increasingly prevalent. These scammers gain access to a person’s email address and send messages to their contacts, requesting financial assistance. To add authenticity, scammers replicate the individual’s writing style and create a sense of urgency. This culminates in a request for high-value gift cards.
In addition to the boss scam, Americans face more than 376 million scam text messages each day, impersonating popular platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and banks. These messages often claim that an individual’s account is frozen or their credit card has expired, prompting recipients to click on a link and disclose personal information. There are also instances where scammers use an individual’s name to offer job opportunities, but potential victims must call a specified number at a particular time.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reported a significant surge in robotext complaints, from 3,300 in 2015 to 18,900 per year by 2022. Americans lost a staggering $10 billion to these scams in 2021 alone. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the effectiveness of fraudsters using messages about non-existent packages or payments, coupled with links to suspicious websites, to deceive people. While most robotexts urge recipients to click on a link, some provide a callback number. This new type of scam involves con artists using AI-powered tools to clone an individual’s voice within seconds.
Netflix has also addressed these schemes, issuing warnings about urgent messages claiming account suspension due to billing issues. The messages contain a link that directs users to a fake Netflix website, where they are prompted to reenter credit card details. Netflix explicitly states they will never ask for personal information via text or email, nor request payment through third-party vendors or websites. They caution against clicking on unfamiliar URLs and entering any information on suspicious websites.
As these scams continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited texts or messages.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
