COVID-19 Stimulus Cyber-Scams
Many of us will be receiving the COVID-19 stimulus from the IRS in the coming weeks and months, but are you prepared for the different stimulus cyber-scams? Here are the three most common stimulus scam attacks:
- SMSishing: You may receive a text from a strange number stating that
you need to accept your stimulus by clicking the link and you must do so quickly or you will lose it. - Phishing: Instead of a text message, you may receive an email from an unknown, or spoofed email address, stating that you need to accept your stimulus by clicking the link and you must do so quickly or you will lose it.
- Vishing: It is even possible to receive a phone call asking you for your banking information so they can deposit your stimulus.
It is important to be diligent of these and other stimulus scams, like the one reported here by KrebsonSecurity. I personally received a SMSishing scam (seen at right) already asking me to claim my stimulus and to do so quickly by clicking the link in the text message. For any questions or further information on the COVID-19 stimulus, it is recommended to visit IRS.gov. For more information on other COVID-19 related cyber-scams check out Small Business, Big Threat. Stay healthy and think before you click!