A boss scam is a phishing (email) or smishing (text messages) or a phone call scam used by hackers. Hackers send fraudulent emails or texts or make phone calls in the boss scam, impersonating your boss or another executive. Information gathered through such scams can then be used for illegal activities and identity theft.
How Does a Boss Scam Work?
A fake boss email or text scam works by hackers impersonating business executives or bosses. Cybercriminals gain access to official mailboxes and, through them, employee email IDs, personal information, and phone numbers by hacking into an executive’s mailbox.Hackers then use these official IDs to send emails or texts to employees. Cybercriminals can ask for funds, gift cards or even personal information under the ruse of official business. Since the message comes from an official mailbox or number, unsuspecting employees fall prey to the hackers’ tactics.
A fake boss email or text scam works by hackers impersonating business executives or bosses. Cybercriminals gain access to official mailboxes and, through them, employee email IDs, personal information, and phone numbers by hacking into an executive’s mailbox.Hackers then use these official IDs to send emails or texts to employees. Cybercriminals can ask for funds, gift cards or even personal information under the ruse of official business. Since the message comes from an official mailbox or number, unsuspecting employees fall prey to the hackers’ tactics.
Tips to Avoid Scams
Although it can be easy to become a victim of such legitimate-looking scams, there are a few things you can do to help protect yourself. Here is a list of tips you can use to help avoid boss scams:
Although it can be easy to become a victim of such legitimate-looking scams, there are a few things you can do to help protect yourself. Here is a list of tips you can use to help avoid boss scams:
- Verify Emails: Some scammers do not hack into the official mailbox but use a similar email ID instead with minor differences that often go unnoticed. If you sense that the email address seems suspicious, verify it from your boss or the HR department.
- Do Not Fall into Urgency: Scams often create a fake sense of urgency to get you to send them the required details as quickly as possible. Instead, take some time to rethink the importance of the email or phone call and if the matter is urgent. Do not share any requested details on phone without verification!
- Rethink The Message: If something does not seem right about the email or phone call, your gut feeling is probably right. If the email or tone seems contradictory to what your boss might say, always re-check with them through an alternative mode of communication before completing the task. For example, your boss or business is likely not to do business through gift cards or ask you to purchase them.
- Verify Before Completing Transactions: Before going ahead with transactions that seem dubious, always double-check with your boss.
- Beware Of Unverified Links: Do not click on any links that may come with emails that seem out of place, nor should you enter personal information such as passwords to pages that open from these links.
Where to Report Boss Scams?
If you have come across a boss scam, you should report it immediately. Here is where you can report boss scams - call 100 or 112 for police assistance as early as possible.
If you have come across a boss scam, you should report it immediately. Here is where you can report boss scams - call 100 or 112 for police assistance as early as possible.
Be vigilant about other similar frauds and their modus operandis : Click Here
