We talk a lot about hackers targeting businesses to steal their data and money. But the bad guys also target individuals too. A recent news report from the Austin, Texas, CBS affiliate tells how a couple was duped into wiring $140,000 in down payment funds to a cyber criminal, instead of to the bank.
Apparently the hacker broke into the home purchaser’s email account and studied the correspondence between the parties involved in the transaction. Then, the hacker created a very legitimate-looking email to the purchaser with wiring instructions.
Cyber criminals are very smart, and phishing scams are a low cost way for them to make money. Whether at work or at home, be ever-vigilant when transferring sensitive information or funds via the internet.
Now, the real estate firm sends customers a letter before closing that tells them “Do not comply with email instructions to wire funds.”
Would you like to train your company’s employees on how to avoid phishing attacks? Contact us at INSUREtrust. We can help with that.