[Craig Nigrelli]

YOU SEE THE ADS FOR THE BEST SALES OF SEASON AND BLACK FRIDAY DEALS AIMED AT ATTRACTING THOSE DAY- AFTER THANKSGIVING SHOPPERS. BUT CYBER SECURITY EXPERTS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM THAT SCAMMERS ARE NOW USING AI TO TURN IT INTO SO-CALLED “ BLACK FRAUD DAY”
RICHARD HORNE IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY CENTER IN GREAT BRITAIN. HE SAYS SCAMMERS ARE TARGETING BARGAIN HUNTERS BY USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED.
AMONG THE SHADY TACTICS : FAKE ADS ON-LINE, OFTEN FOR CLOTHING AND TECH PRODUCTS. THESE ARE GENERALLY SOCIAL MEDIA ADS WITH HUGE DISCOUNTS.
ALSO, PHONY LINKS THAT DIRECT YOU TO WEBSITES THAT LOOK REAL BUT ARE REALLY AFTER YOUR PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION. OFTEN THE WEB LINK IS SLIGHTLY OFF FROM THE REAL ONE AND THE CONSUMER DOES NOT NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE.
ALSO, BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN BUYING GIFT CARDS ON-LINE.
EXPERTS ADVISE YOU AVOID IT ALTOGETHER IF POSSIBLE. FAKE GIFT CARDS ARE NOW A FAVORITE OF SCAMMERS BECAUSE ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VICTIM TO GET THEIR MONEY BACK. INSTEAD, SHOPPERS SHOULD GO DIRECTLY TO THE COMPANY WEBSITE OF THE INTENDED PURCHASE OR BUY GIFT CARDS AT THE STORE.
BY NOW, ALL OF US HAVE RECEIVED A FAKE DELIVERY ALERT AT SOME POINT IN OUR E-MAIL. IN THIS CASE, THE VICTIM GETS AN E-MAIL SAYING A DELIVERY FOR THEM IS STUCK AT THE WAREHOUSE. BUT ONCE YOU CLICK THE LINK THAT’S ATTACHED, THE SCAMMER STEALS YOUR INFORMATION. THIS CRIME IS BOOMING, SO HAVE YOUR GUARD UP ABOUT DELIVERY NOTICES IN YOUR IN-BOX.
THE BRITISH SECURITY CHIEF SAYS CUSTOMERS THERE LOST THE EQUIVALENT OF 14-AND-A-HALF-MILLION-DOLLARS TO THIEVES, DURING THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON LAST YEAR.
ALSO, HIS COUNTRY RECEIVED 16,000 REPORTS OF ONLINE SCAMS OR STEALING DURING THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON. FOR MORE UNBIASED UPDATES, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS AP.