Phishing Scams Targeting Beaumont Businesses Are on the Rise

Phishing Scams Targeting Beaumont Businesses Are on the Rise

Key Points:

• “Phishing” attacks – where cyber criminals pose as a legitimate company to gain access to your personal or financial information – are becoming more common, and businesses are increasingly being targeted.
• IT experts have issued warnings to businesses in Beaumont, advising them to be on the lookout for phishing text messages from their bank.
• Fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods to try and trick people into giving them their personal or financial details.

The Latest Phishing Scam Targeting Beaumont Businesses

Cybercriminals are nothing if not creative when it comes to creating new techniques for scamming people. The latest phishing scam making the rounds is targeting Beaumont businesses by using text messages. Recent reports suggest that businesses in the Beaumont area are being targeted by phishing attacks, with fraudsters sending text messages purporting to be from banks. The scam works like this: businesses receive a text message from what appears to be their bank.

The message states that there has been suspicious activity on the business’s account and that they need to verify it. The text message will contain a link that takes the business leader to a fake website that looks very similar to their bank’s website. The website then prompts the business leader to enter their login information. Once the cybercriminals have the business owner’s login information, they can access the account and transfer money out of it. This scam is particularly insidious because it takes advantage of the fact that many business owners are busy and may not have time to call their bank to verify the message.

Do not click on the link if you receive a text message like this. Always look for other signs that a website may be fake, such as misspellings or odd-looking URLs.

Is Your Bank Texting You?

Please be advised that your bank will never send you a text message doing the following:

• Asking you to click on a link to verify your account
• Asking for your personal or financial information
• Requesting your bank PIN number, access code, or security password

Fraudsters use time-sensitive language to try and trick people into taking action without thinking. If you receive a text message that makes you feel rushed, take some time to think about it before taking action. If you are unsure whether or not a communication is from your bank, please call your bank directly to verify before taking action.

How to Practice Good Cyber Habits

Fraudsters have been exploiting the online banking system for years, and their methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated. While there is no foolproof way to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of fraud, there are some measures you can take to reduce your risk.

Here are some tips:

• Usernames and Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for each online account. Avoid using easily guessed words like your name, birth date, or pet’s name.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: Many online banking platforms offer an additional layer of security known as multi-factor authentication. This usually involves receiving a code via text message or email that you must enter in addition to your password when logging in.
• Monitor Your Accounts Regularly: You often check your account statements and transaction history to look for unauthorized activity. Many banks and credit unions offer alerts that you can set up to notify you of suspicious activity.
• Be Suspicious: Being suspicious can be a good thing regarding your finances. If you err on the side of caution, it’s much less likely that you’ll fall for a scam.

How to Identify Phishing Websites

There are a few things you can look for to help you identify a phishing website:

• Check the URL: A phishing website may look identical to a legitimate website, but the URL will usually have subtle differences. If you hover over a link, you should be able to see the URL it will take you to. If the URL looks suspicious, don’t click on it.
• Look for the website’s ownership information: Typically, you can find the website’s ownership details at the bottom of the homepage. The website is likely not legitimate if this information is missing or seems fake.
• Check the website’s content: It is likely not legitimate if it has poor grammar or seems full of typos. Also, be wary of any website that asks you to provide personal or financial information without a good reason.
• Check security indicators: Most browsers will show you if a website is secure. Look for the lock icon, which indicates that the website uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption. Any information you enter on the website will be encrypted and less likely to be intercepted by a third party.
• Use caution with attachments: Be wary of any text messages that contain attachments, as these may be used to deliver malware to your device. If you receive a text message with an attachment from someone you don’t know, do not open it.
• Check certificate authorities: When you visit a website, your browser will check to see if the site has a valid SSL certificate. This certificate is issued by a certificate authority (CA), and it indicates that the website is legitimate. You can usually view a website’s certificate by clicking on the lock icon in your browser’s address bar. If the CA is not recognized or the certificate has expired, likely, the website is not legitimate.

Protecting yourself and your business against phishing can be a challenge. However, by being aware of the threat and taking proactive measures to protect yourself, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim.

Discovery IT Can Help You Stay a Step Ahead of the Cybercriminals

At Discovery IT, we understand the evolving threats Beaumont businesses face, and we are committed to helping our clients stay ahead of the curve. We offer a full range of cybersecurity solutions, including:

• Managed Firewalls: Our managed firewalls provide advanced protection against various threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
• Managed Detection and Response: Our managed detection and response system (MDR) monitor your network for suspicious activity and blocks malicious traffic before it can reach your systems.
• Web Filtering: Our web filtering solution blocks access to malicious websites and helps to protect against phishing attacks.

We can also help you choose the right cybersecurity policy for your business. Our Cybersecurity Policy Consulting Services can help you assess your risks and develop a comprehensive cybersecurity policy that will protect your business from today’s threats. Contact us today to learn more.