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Image Source: Social Security Administration
Image Source: Social Security Administration

Social Security Benefits Increase in 2023

Approximately 70 million Americans will see a 8.7% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2023. On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January.

 

 

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Image Source: KnowBe4
Image Source: KnowBe4

Instagram Phishing: Scammers Exploit Instagram Verification Program

Researchers at Vade warn that an email phishing campaign is informing users that their Instagram account is eligible to receive a blue verification badge. If a user clicks the link, they’ll be taken to a spoofed Instagram login page designed to steal their credentials.

 

 

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Image Source: Federal Trade Commission
Image Source: Federal Trade Commission

Did You Get An Email Saying Your Personal Info Is For Sale On The Dark Web?

People are telling us they’ve gotten emails warning that their sensitive personal information is being sold in the shadowy marketplaces of the dark web. Some emails list the stolen information, like all or part of the person’s Social Security number, date of birth, and driver’s license number.

 

 

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Image Source: SOS Daily News
Image Source: SOS Daily News

Email Identity Crisis! Top Brands For Email Phishing And How To Tell The Difference

Some say impersonation is the greatest form of flattery, but it this case, it’s all about email phishing. Cybercriminals use some companies more than others because they’re well-known globally and have better odds for success. A look at who these companies are and how to avoid email phishing in their name benefits us all.

 

 

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Image Source: Federal Trade Commission
Image Source: Federal Trade Commission

Did You Hear About The Student Loan Announcements? Scammers Did, Too

You’ve probably already heard about the new government plan that will forgive some federal student loans, once it’s up and running. Also in the news: the federal student loan payment pause has been extended to December 31, 2022.

 

 

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Image Source: KnowBe4
Image Source: KnowBe4

Social Engineering Targets Healthcare Payment Processors

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued an alert warning of an increase in phishing and other social engineering attacks against healthcare payment processors.

 

 

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Image Source: KnowBe4
Image Source: KnowBe4

Gaming-Related Phishing Trends

Researchers at Kaspersky have found that the vast majority of gaming-related malware lures are targeted at Minecraft players. Roblox came in at a distant second, and the researchers note that both of these games are frequently played by children, “who have much less knowledge of cybersecurity due to a lack of experience.”

 

 

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Image Source: KnowBe4
Image Source: KnowBe4

Do Not Use Easily Phishable MFA and That Is Most MFA!

Everyone should use multifactor authentication (MFA), where they can, to protect valuable information. Everyone!

The problem is that the MFA used by most people and companies is barely better than passwords and just as easy to compromise. If possible, you and your company should strive to use phishing-resistant MFA.

 

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Image Source: SOS Daily News
Image Source: SOS Daily News

When Sharing Isn't Always A Good Thing: TikTok Shares Your PII

rowing up, our elders taught us to share with others. Of course, we know they weren’t talking about sharing personal information online. If anything, the latest TikTok hack should be a lesson to us all to be extremely careful about the PII (personally identifiable information) we share online, especially on social media sites.

 

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Image Source: KnowBe4
Image Source: KnowBe4

Security Practices Are Improving, But Cybercriminals Are Keeping Up

A survey by the Spanish GetApp software rating site has found that the number of organizations using phishing simulations has risen from 30% in 2019 to 70% in 2022.

 

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Image Source: Federal Trade Commission
Image Source: Federal Trade Commission

FTC And American Consumers Win Two Cases Against Pandemic Scammers

The FTC’s hard work pays off for American consumers. A few months into the pandemic, the FTC filed complaints against two online sellers — Glowyy and American Screening — which falsely promised fast delivery of in-demand face masks, sanitizers, gloves, and other personal protective equipment.


 

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Image Source: Federal Trade Commission
Image Source: Federal Trade Commission

Is That Health Insurance, A Health Product, Or A Scam?

Looking for health insurance can be confusing. But if you run across a company that deliberately tricks you into signing up for insurance or health products that don’t deliver (and are hard to cancel), it’s even harder.


 

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Image Source: Federal Trade Commission
Image Source: Federal Trade Commission

Did You Get An Email Saying Your Personal Info Is For Sale On The Dark Web?

People are telling us they’ve gotten emails warning that their sensitive personal information is being sold in the shadowy marketplaces of the dark web. Some emails list the stolen information, like all or part of the person’s Social Security number, date of birth, and driver’s license number.

 

 

Read The Original Article >>