The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) cautions against a new phone-based impersonation fraud scheme, where scammers pretend to be agency employees. Such scams often involve the use of government employees’ names and titles to deceive victims. CISA underscores that its staff will never request money transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift card payments, nor will they instruct individuals to keep discussions confidential.
Recipients of suspicious calls are urged by CISA to refrain from paying the caller and to note the incoming phone number before hanging up immediately. They are then encouraged to report the incident to CISA or law enforcement authorities. This warning comes in the context of a significant rise in government impersonation scams, which resulted in losses exceeding $394 million last year, according to the FBI.
While phone-based impersonation fraud remains the most common variety, the overall trend of cybercrime has seen an increase in phishing attempts, where fraudsters pose as authorities or legitimate representatives to deceive victims into divulging sensitive information or making payments. With vishing (voice phishing) posing a significant threat, organizations are advised to remain vigilant and educate their employees about the tactics used by fraudsters to mitigate potential risks.
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