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Operation MiddleFloor targets Moldova’s October elections, spreading EU disinformation via email

The data breach exposed more than 10m customer conversations from an AI call center platform in the Middle East

The EU’s Cyber Resilience Act requires cybersecurity standards for all connected products throughout their entire lifecycle

Marriott will pay $52m to 50 US states for a data breach impacting 131.5 million American customers, and has agreed to implement stronger security practices

The non-profit digital library was also hit by at least two DDoS attacks in two days

Two former RAC employees have been handed suspended prison sentences for trading in personal data

Supply chain victim numbers surge as more than 240 million US residents are impacted by data breaches in Q3 2024

An Australian news agency is reporting that robot vacuum cleaners from the Chinese company Deebot are surreptitiously taking photos and recording audio, and sending that data back to the vendor to train their AIs.

Ecovacs’s privacy policy—available elsewhere in the app—allows for blanket collection of user data for research purposes, including:

• The 2D or 3D map of the user’s house generated by the device
• Voice recordings from the device’s microphone
• Photos or videos recorded by the device’s camera

It also states that voice recordings, videos and photos that are deleted via the app may continue to be held and used by Ecovacs.

No word on whether the recorded audio is being used to train the vacuum in some way, or whether it is being used to train a LLM.

Slashdot thread.

In the aftermath of a major disaster like Hurricane Helene and Milton, people come together to rebuild and recover. Unfortunately, alongside the genuine help, there are always opportunistic scammers ready to exploit the chaos for personal gain. Knowing what to look out for can help protect you and your community from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.  

The National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF), established by the Justice Department after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, reminds the public to be cautious of hurricane-related solicitations. As natural disasters, like Hurricane Helene, often bring out the best in people eager to help, they also provide an opportunity for criminals to exploit the situation by stealing money or personal information. Here are some of common scams and fraud to watch out for, and how you can safeguard yourself. 

1. Unlicensed Contractors and Repair Fraud

As residents begin to rebuild, many turn to contractors for help with repairs. Scammers often pose as legitimate contractors but lack proper licensing or qualifications. They may demand upfront payment and then disappear without completing the work or do subpar repairs.  

How to Protect Yourself: 

• Verify that the contractor is licensed and insured by checking local or state licensing boards. 

• Ask for references and check reviews from previous customers. 

• Never pay the full amount upfront. A reasonable down payment is typical, but reputable contractors will bill after work has been completed to your satisfaction. 

• Always research contractors through your local Better Business Bureau or trusted referrals. 

2. Fake Charity Solicitations

Disasters often inspire a wave of generosity, but they also give rise to fake charities. Scammers may set up fraudulent organizations that claim to be helping victims of Hurricane Helene and Milton, only to pocket the money for themselves. 

How to Protect Yourself: 

• Always research a charity before donating. Use resources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Charity Navigator, or GuideStar to verify that the charity is legitimate. 

• Avoid giving donations in cash, gift cards, or through wire transfers, as these methods are harder to trace. 

• Be wary of unsolicited emails, social media posts, or phone calls asking for donations. Always donate directly through the charity’s official website.

3. Price Gouging

After a major disaster, there is often a sharp increase in demand for essential goods like water, fuel, and building supplies. Unscrupulous businesses or individuals may take advantage by charging exorbitant prices. 

How to Protect Yourself: 

• Report any suspiciously high prices to your state’s Attorney General or consumer protection agency. 

• Keep receipts and note down prices before and after the disaster to provide evidence of price gouging.

4. Impersonation of Government Officials

Scammers may pose as FEMA representatives, insurance adjusters, or other government officials. They’ll claim to help expedite your relief or insurance claim in exchange for personal information or payment. 

How to Protect Yourself: 

• FEMA and other government officials will never ask for money to process claims or offer help. 

• Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent a government agency by asking for official identification and cross-referencing their contact information with official websites. 

• Never share sensitive personal information, such as your Social Security number, over the phone or via email.

5. Phishing Scams

Cybercriminals often send out emails or texts that look like they’re from legitimate organizations, trying to trick people into clicking on malicious links. These phishing scams can lead to identity theft or financial loss. 

How to Protect Yourself: 

• Do not click on links or download attachments from unsolicited emails, especially those that seem urgent or request personal information. 

• Check the sender’s email address carefully for slight misspellings or odd characters. 

• When in doubt, contact the organization directly using verified contact information from their official website. 

• Use a robust and trustworthy scam detection tool. McAfee can block risky sites even if you accidentally click a link in a scam text. When it comes to text messages, our smart AI puts a stop to scams before you click—detecting any suspicious links and sending you an alert.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene and Milton, the most important thing you can do is stay vigilant. While the majority of people are focused on helping and healing, there will always be a small number looking to take advantage. By recognizing the signs of common scams and taking precautionary measures, you can protect yourself and your community from further harm. If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it to local law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately. 

 

The post How to Avoid Scams in the Wake of Hurricane Helene and Milton appeared first on McAfee Blog.

With the election quickly approaching, it’s essential to be informed and cautious about the growing number of voting scams. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, using everything from artificial intelligence to fake text messages to trick people into sharing sensitive information. Here’s a breakdown of the types of voting scams that have already been seen this year and the specific steps you can take to protect yourself.

Text scams

Scammers pretending to be election workers are sending fraudulent text messages to Maryland voters, falsely claiming they are not registered to vote in November. The texts urge recipients to click a fake link to “resolve” their registration status. Similar scams have been reported across the country from Sacramento, California to Marietta, Georgia.

How to protect yourself:

• Use official websites: Always use your state’s official election website to register to vote, check your registration status, or find polling locations. Nonpartisan website Vote.org lets voters anywhere in the country check their registration status.
• Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited texts: Never trust third-party websites linked through unsolicited messages. Legitimate voter registration information is not sent through random text messages. If you receive one, delete it immediately.
• Use threat detector technology: McAfee’s Text Scam Detector uses AI to spot and block scam texts before they can do you harm by automatically identifying and alerting you if it detects a dangerous URL in your texts.
• Report suspicious messages: If you receive a suspicious text, notify your state election board or a trusted election protection hotline to ensure authorities are aware of the scam.

Early voting scams

A new voting scam is targeting seniors in Michigan, where scammers are asking for Social Security and credit card information under the pretense of early voting opportunities. Michigan’s Secretary of State office has received numerous complaints about seniors being approached in person by imposters posing as election workers while trying to steal individuals’ identities.

How to protect yourself:

• Know what’s required for voter registration: Voter registration never requires full Social Security numbers or financial information. Anyone asking for these details is likely a scammer.
• Help vulnerable individuals stay informed: Seniors are often targeted by these scams. Make sure your family members or community members know to avoid giving out personal information to unsolicited callers or visitors. Follow your state’s election office on social media for real-time updates so that you can know of any active scam threats in your community.
• Use identity theft protection software: Installing reputable identity theft protection software can set up 24/7 identity monitoring and alerts, plus up to $2 million in identity theft coverage, for greater peace of mind.

AI Robo Calls

A bipartisan group of 51 attorneys general issued a warning to Life Corporation, a company accused of sending scam robocalls during the New Hampshire primary. These calls used AI to impersonate President Biden and spread false information to discourage voter participation. While this bipartisan task force is committed to tackling illegal robocalls nationwide, citizens should still be aware of the risk of deepfake audio.

How to protect yourself:

• Don’t trust caller ID: Spoofing technology can make robocalls appear as if they’re coming from legitimate sources. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately.
• Never give personal information over the phone: Legitimate election officials will not ask for Social Security numbers, financial information, or other sensitive data over the phone.
• Verify through official channels: Always check information by visiting your local election office’s website or calling their publicly listed phone number. Do not rely on information provided in unsolicited calls.
• Block and report robocalls: Use call-blocking apps or features on your phone to prevent further calls and report suspicious robocalls to your state’s election office or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Scams tend to increase during election years, so be proactive in safeguarding against these latest fraud tactics. By following these steps, you can help protect yourself from falling victim to election-related scams. Voting is a critical part of democracy, and staying vigilant is key to both safeguarding your personal information and your right to participate.

The post Beware of These Voting Scams Happening Now appeared first on McAfee Blog.