We recently helped a customer who unfortunately fell victim to a phishing scam. They received a fake email that appeared to be from PayPal and clicked on a malicious link, allowing hackers to access their computer and steal their banking information. As a result, the hackers were able to drain their bank account.
If you have older friends or family members, please have a conversation with them about the importance of being cautious with emails, phone calls, or messages claiming to be from their bank, PayPal, eBay, or other companies. These hackers are very sophisticated and may even try to get the victim to go to their bank in person.
Additionally, be wary of any requests involving gift cards – this is almost always a sign of a scam. Encourage your loved ones to be vigilant and to contact you or their financial institution directly if they have any concerns about the legitimacy of a communication.
Here is an example of a fake PayPal Phishing email that I recived last week.
