Tech Scams Targeting Small Towns: How to Spot and Avoid Them
In our community, we pride ourselves on looking out for one another. We don’t always like each other, but that’s family. The digital age has brought new challenges to our doorstep. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting small towns, believing that our trusting nature and potentially less robust digital defenses make us easy prey. Today, let's discuss some recent tech scams targeting communities like ours and learn how to protect ourselves and our neighbors.
Recent Scams to Watch Out For
1. The "Local Business" Phishing Scam
phish·ing
/ˈfiSHiNG/
noun
the fraudulent practice of sending emails or other messages purporting to be from reputablecompanies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.
"respondents named ransomware and phishing as leading security concerns"
Scammers are creating fake websites and social media profiles that mimic local businesses. They might send out emails or social media messages claiming to be from your favorite local shop, offering special deals or requesting updated payment information. Always verify such requests directly with the business using contact information you trust, not links provided in the message.
We recommend that if you receive an email offering a service or value and you don’t recognize the name, you do at least the following:"
Check the sender's email address carefully
Sometimes scammed do similar names to popular services like “help.googlle.net” vs “help.google.com”Look for urgent or threatening language
If the email is threatening you in any way shape or form, and also not addressing you correctly it’s usually scammers who obtained an email from a leak and auto-sending threats for money. Unfortunately this happens much too often. If you feel like you’re in danger we recommend you contact the authorities, but if the language is vague (and sometimes mis-spelled) its usually safe to assume its someone overseas trying their hardest to steal money rather than work an honest job.Hover over links without clicking to preview the URL
Most browsers when “mousing over” a link (putting the mouse on the link without clicking) will show a preview of the actual URL under whatever text it appears in.
Try it out here.
You should see “insulalabs.com” pop-up either under the mouse or at the bottom of your screen (depending on the browser)
Already been phished?
2. Fake Online Marketplaces
With the rise of community buy-and-sell groups on social media, scammers are taking advantage by creating fake listings for high-demand items at suspiciously low prices. They often claim to be new in town or moving away, pressuring you to act quickly. Always insist on meeting in person at a safe location for local transactions. I have seen this myself from posters in Sault Ste Marie the FB marketplace buying or selling, and then when attempting to engage with them they will say “please just drop it off and I’ll mail you a check,” or “sign up for the service” and I can pay you that way for <some reason>.” Don’t fall for it! If you don’t know the person and they are attempting to get you to do something you’re uncomfortable with, just stop interacting with them. That’s the beauty of the online nature of things. You owe them nothing, and while you should be respectful, you don’t have to go out of your way to accommodate.
3. Tech Support Scams
Criminals are calling residents, claiming to be from well-known tech companies like Microsoft or Apple. They say they've detected a problem with your computer and need remote access to fix it. Remember, legitimate tech companies won't call you unsolicited about computer problems.
If you get one of these calls, politely ask them to validate who they are. These companies have ways to do this (via email, text, etc) if they show ANY defensive behavior, just hang up.
If they keep calling or this is a common occurrence for you reach out to us, we might be able to help.
4. Utility Company Impersonation
While it has not been too much of a concern here on the Island, scammers will often pose as representatives from local utility companies, threatening to cut off services unless immediate payment is made through gift cards or wire transfers. Legitimate utility companies will never demand payment in this manner. If they are bold enough to show up to your house you will most likely recognize them or not, and if not, ask them who they know in the area. It’s a simple litmus test to weed this one out. If you’re getting texts/emails/calls of this nature and you’re unsure what to do, reach out to us, we have some options we can explore to stop the harassment.
5. COVID-19 Related Scams
Another one we are pretty immune to here, but even though pandemic has eased, scammers are still exploiting it. They might offer fake vaccination appointments, sell counterfeit health products, or impersonate health officials to obtain personal information. The answer to this scam is simple “just hang up.” If they say you missed an appointment and will be charged unless you give them credit information or something, just call the clinic here or up in the Sault (wherever you choose to go). They’ll confirm if they or someone on their behalf reached out.
How to Spot These Scams
1. Urgency: Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to pressure you into acting without thinking.
2. Unusual Payment Methods: Be wary of requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
3. Unsolicited Contact: Be suspicious of unexpected calls, emails, or messages, especially those asking for personal information.
4. Too Good to Be True: If a deal seems unrealistically good, it probably is.
5. Poor Grammar and Spelling: While not foolproof, many scams originate overseas and contain linguistic errors.
6. Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate organizations rarely ask for sensitive information via email or phone.
Protecting Yourself and Our Community
1. Verify Independently: If you receive a suspicious message from a local business or organization, contact them directly using information from their official website or a trusted source.
2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Employ a different, complex password for each online account. Consider using a reputable password manager to help, or getting a “password” notebook that you can keep secured in your home.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. This can be very irritating, but it’s definitely worth it.
4. Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your devices' operating systems and applications to protect against known vulnerabilities. Another thing we can help with!
5. Be Cautious with Links: Hover over links to preview the URL before clicking. If in doubt, navigate to the website manually.
6. Educate Others: Share this information with friends and family, especially those who might be less tech-savvy.
7. Report Scams: If you encounter a scam, report it to local law enforcement and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Vigilance
Just as we look out for suspicious activities in our physical neighborhood, we must extend this vigilance to our digital community. If a scam is going around post it on the community Facebook and let us all know what’s going on! While we here try to do so as well, we aren’t the primary target of these types of scams so we at Insula Labs might not be aware of what’s going on. If you see a new digital scam, tag us on the Drummond Island community page and we’ll help get the word out.
Remember, there's no shame in falling for a scam – these criminals are sophisticated and constantly evolving their tactics. If you think you've been scammed, act quickly: contact your bank, change your passwords, and report the incident.
By staying informed and looking out for one another, we can make our community a safer place, both offline and online. Let's work together to keep the Island a step ahead of these folk.
