Urgent: Terms To Keep Utahns From Being Vulnerable To Scams

I just hung up with a nice older lady who told me that she got a message recently that seemed suspicious, then she saw the same message on the news explaining that the message was a scam.

We have talked about avoiding scams before but knowing the new terms that are floating around will help you be better informed and prepared.

Here is an incomplete list (because, just like the terms, the strategies keep changing to try and trick us with something new) of terms people might use when describing online scams.

Phishing: The most common type of scam going on today. For a time criminals were trying to hack through our security systems, recently they realized it is far easier to trick humans than computers and criminals started to target us trying to get us to reveal sensitive information. This strategy of trying to trick you by saying they are someone else, like a relative in trouble, a long-lost friend or a business you need to contact is called phishing.

Mishing: This is phishing, but now they are using your mobile device to try to trick you.

Quishing: When you are seduced into trusting a QR code because they are usually set up by legitimate sources.

Evil Twin Attack: I wrote an article on this one, it is a tricky way to contact you in two ways to make your feel like the conversation is legit. For example, you could get a text telling you about an email that will reactivate your account. Since you saw the text, you might let your guard down about the email.

Read More: Utah’s MOST COMMON Scam Calls Are From THIS Area Code!

So, there are a few new terms, remember if you are ever prompted to take an action disconnect from that communication and contact the person or business direct. Do NOT follow the links or directions provided by the unsolicited message.