Email and Phishing Scams

Thank you for visiting my blog! Here I strive to empower you with cyber security awareness and DIY puppet activities. If you find this content helpful, please sign up for my FREE monthly safety newsletter at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe.

I just released a funny adult puppet video about a prize scam! Be sure to check it out below!

Email and Phishing Scams

Last year in the U.S alone, an estimated 16 million victims lost 17 billion dollars to identity theft. That’s just one type of scam. 

I’m sure if AARP, the Better Business Bureau, and other organizations intended to protect the financials security of Americans, combined all their figures from reported swindles, the final tally would be mind-blowing. 

Now with the COVID-19 pandemic creating fear and uncertainty everywhere, con artists are conjuring up new ways to squander people’s finances and personal information. 

This gives them motivation to reach out with offers too good to be true and the impersonation of government agencies to steal personal information. 

Email and phishing cons are just some of the tactics these criminals apply. Cyber attackers send thousands, if not millions of emails daily. They are not sure who get these messages; but their objective is to trick a victim into some call of action. It includes the following.

•  Clicking on a link
• Opening an attachment
• Completing a form

A harmless action can get you tangled. 

Since scammers are attempting to “phish” as many victims as possible, their messages are usually directed to “Dear Customer” or other generic greeting. 

The bad guys creates a strong sense of urgency or curiosity to the receiver. They pretend be an official organization like a bank or may impersonate a local, state, or federal agency. 

Generally, these fake senders will have grammar or spelling mistakes in the content of these email messages. Another clue to look out for is if the email originated from a personal email account such as an @gmail.com address. Also, by looking at the top left, the “From Email Address” line may appear like it generated from an official organization. But the “Reply-To-Address” is someone’s personal email account. 

Here are some other clues that should raise red flags.

• Messages requesting highly sensitive information like credit card number or password.
• You receive a message from someone you know but the tone or message does not sound like him or her. 

It is easy for a scammer to create an email that appears to be from a friend or coworker. If the message includes a clickable link, you can hover your mouse cursor over it to reveal the link’s true destination. 

Make this a common practice to confirm if you being directed to a legitimate website. Even on many mobile devices, pressing to hold the link will also show the true destination. Instead of clicking on a link, you can type the website address directly into your browser. 

Why respond directly to a suspicious email claiming to be your bank when you can use the browser? 

I wouldn’t open any attachments I wasn’t expecting. The last thing I want is opening an infected attachment and subjecting my computer to malware. Not all antivirus can detect malware. 

Take care to not expose sensitive information when using email or messaging. Email features, such as auto complete, make it easy for you to mistakenly email the wrong person. 

Once you send an email out, you cannot retract it. Also, be careful with the “Email Reply-All Feature” thread as you may not want to respond to an entire group of people who received the same email. 

Learn more about scam prevention with my use of puppets at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe

My Youtube channel has many more videos on cyber security awareness and scams at 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ5JPhBrP4OpCKeY4hbm5Dg

PS If you haven't already check out AARP's  Scam Tracking map at https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/tracking-map/ to checking on existing scams in your area. Vigilance is key!

Introduction to DIY Shadow Puppets

Thank you for visiting my blog! Here I strive to empower you with cyber security awareness and DIY puppet activities. If you find this content helpful, please sign up for my FREE monthly safety newsletter at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe.

It is simple to stage a shadow puppet show. 

Do your kids enjoy arts and craft? Do they like to tell stories? Are they fascinated by the interactions of light and shadows? 

This is easier thank you think. Of course it will requires some exploration, trial by error, and creativity (kids can surely help you with that compartment) with some supplies collecting dust in your attic, basement, or garage. 

You will need these items.

• Card Stock Paper
• Scissors
• Bamboo Skewers (to operate puppet)
• Brass Fasteners (for puppets with movable limbs)
• Electric Tape
• Cardboard Box
• Desk Lamp or other light source
• wax paper or parchment paper for theatre screen

A Shadow Prop Blast Off!

Without relying on much technology, you can make simple shadow puppets to fit any story your kids can dream of. Literally, you can construct your own theatre out of a card board box of any size to bring silhouettes to life. 

Before we proceed Astronaut Buddy Getto and his copilot Zatrix from outer space has transmitted a brief message from outer space about the history of shadow puppets. 

Aside from a lack of solitude between Buddy and Matrix, shadow puppets can allow poetic evening shows and build lasting memories.

If you prefer not to use a box for a theatre, you can still cast shadows on walls with a bed lamp using different shapes and animals. Either way, imaginations will soar.

Preparations

• Devote about 10 minutes to think about story theme and to look for shapes or figures online or in damaged children books. 
• You shouldn't go over 30 minutes in cutting out the puppets
• It will take about 20 minutes to install theatre (If you wish to have one) and cut out a circle (size of a large tape) in the rear to connect light source (I used a desk lamp).

Activity

If you wish to put on a live show for family and friends with a theme geared for very young children, I would recommend the duration of it not to exceed past 10 or 15 minutes. Children have short attention spans and will want to participate! 

The location of the performance should be indoors, preferably in a room that can easily be made dark. 

Light

When I started off doing shadow puppetry a few years ago, it felt like I was involved in some interactive science test. A lot of time was spent I experimenting with different light and learning how it worked to produce the best effects. 

Light travels fast! 186,000 miles per second, or 300,000 km per second if memory serves me right. When an object blocks the path of light, like a cut out paper figure, it creates a shadow. 

When the puppet is move back away from the screen, it appears bigger. If is shifted forward, it becomes smaller. 

Storytelling

You can choose an existing story or make up your own. Here are some suggestions to get the creative juices flowing. 

• Does the story involve people, animals, or both? 
• Who are the good guys and the bad guys? 
• Is the tale happening long ago or nowadays? 
• Where does it take place? Forest? Savannah? City? Mountains? 
• Ensure the story is simple so that kids can tell it without a script. 
• Come up with a cool title for your story and names for your characters. 

All Characters on Deck: Finding Images

Shadow Puppetry is a story told in shadows. You will need a silhouette for every character, prop, and set in your story. Identify the shapes you need. 

1. To accommodate varied scenes and enough twists, use at least 3 characters. For example, one hero and two villains which can be animals or humans. Utilize 3 different backgrounds items such as a tree, house, castle, etc. 

2. If you are having difficulty with finding figures, just go on the internet and type animal shape or whatever easy-to-cut-out character you can find. 

3. Select images with simple silhouettes. Shapes with lots of small legs or pieces to cut out in the middle  are difficult to make and product less distinct shadows. 

4. Resize images before printing them. Ensure each element is right relative size to other elements (for example; a cat should not be bigger than a lion).

5. Cut out with scissors. Use a craft knife for delicate areas. Children will need assistance with more detailed objects. 

Astronaut Buddy Getto

TIPS

You can hold printed shape over cardstock and cut the puppet out that way. If you opt to cut the arms and legs out separately, you well need a punch holder and brass fastener to reconnect the limbs. 

An Alternative Theatre

If the card board box or wall is not to your liking, you can use a portable coat rack as a stage. 

Wrap a white bed sheet tightly around the coat rack. Fix it to the frame with hair clips or clothes pins. Now, you can take your mobile theatre anywhere in the house. Don't forget a LED clamp for light source! 

Sound Effects

If you want to put a spin to your imagination, you can add sound effects for your show. Sticks, drums, shaking water bottles, and other noises can bring a sense of awe from your audience. 

Maybe you can do something like this. 

Richard Bradshaw is the most well know shadow puppeteer. His videos actually inspired me and you may see some hints in this short video! 

I hope you enjoyed this! 

If you find this content helpful, please sign up for my FREE monthly safety newsletter at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe.

Cyber Brats Episode : Targeted Attacks

Fraudulent COVID-19 Treatments/Elderly Stimulus Checks

Shadow Puppets by Ken Harris

Thank you for visiting my blog! Here I strive to empower you with cyber security awareness and scam prevention. If you find this content helpful, please sign up for my FREE monthly safety newsletter at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe.

Coronavirus Treatment Scams

The Federal Trade Commission is not playing around. 120 companies in the U.S were issued warning letters to cease marketing products and services with claims of preventing, treating, and curing COVID-19.

From receipt of this order, these companies were given a deadline of no more than 48 hours to rectify their positions and to notify the FTC of these corrections.

You can learn about these companies from the FTC website right https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/enforcement/warning-letters.

Considering the high stakes on the lives of consumers this is a very serious thing.

Naturally people want life to return back to normal. When we hear on the news each day of researchers looking at potential avenues to prevent, treat and cure this disease, its seem like the public outcry for a quick resolution leads to a web of ill conceived assumptions.

This burning desire plays in the hands of fraudsters chasing headlines to make promises of a service or product in high demand. That's how they line their pockets and leaves victims hopeless and despair over the experience.

It reminds me of get rich quick schemes where the victim is eager to believe anything blurted out by a scammer to reap the huge benefits. Instead of cashing in, the unsuspecting target is drained of positive anticipation and left feeling disgusted and remorseful.

As of this writing, please understand there is no U.S authorize products or services available to prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19. If there was, you certainly wouldn't hear about if for the first time in an email or phone pitch.

The FTC believes that some of these Fraudsters in business receiving warnings will not go down quietly. It is suspected they will continue to market their age products and services under a new name or different website. That is why the FTC is exploring for these activities on social media and online marketplaces.

In the meantime, our health is important. Lets be careful with what we purchase for medicines. We can always verify claims with FTC at https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/enforcement/warning-letters or at the U.S Food and Drug Administration at https://www.fda.gov.

A self made puppet by Ken Harris. Scammers can mask their true ambitions.

FAKE COVID ANTIBODY TESTS 

While we are on the subject of the US Food and Drug administration, beware of robocalls and features directing you to a website boasting of quick antibody tests. 

Fraudsters want your money and personal information. 

Victims who fell for this scam either received a phony worthless kit (results weren't accurate for those who's bodies had already fought off the virus) or didn't receive anything at all in the mail. 

The best thing to do is talk to your doctor about an antibody test and learn if your insurance provider  covers it. Both of those sources can refer you to a licensed clinic. Your local health department is also another sound way to get accurate information. 

The Better Business Bureau should be your to go place for BBB Accreditation and reviews at https://www.bbb.org. In this world we should be researching diligently the people and companies we are considering to do business with. 

Elderly Stimulus Checks 

Alex Midas, former business owner who lost everything to a scam

Here is a heart breaker.

According to Lois Greisman, the FTC Elder Justice Coordinator, nursing homes and assisted living facilities in states across the U.S have attempted to snare stimulus payments from elderly residents. 

Reportedly, great efforts were made in having these dependent occupants sign over their economic impact payments. 

Unbelievable. 

Yes, these individuals are on Medicaid and participants in a federal benefits program. But the CARES Act considers the impact payments a tax credit. Therefore, federal law prohibits the government from taking this money. 

It cannot and must not happen. That explains why many state attorney general offices nationwide are looking into these matters with the Federal Trade Commission. 

If you or someone you care about resides in a nursing home or assisted living facility with Medicaid, know and understand this. Legally this money cannot be taken and applied as a resource for whatever program you or your loved one are in. Check out Congressional Research Service at https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11282?

fbclid=IwAR1qG1VwPIVi_8643ex8Fj5FR2pgsflEaf1jVRkDsFdN0H9fYWgE5Ce5ic4.

If you suspected you been siphoned out of this the economic impact payment, contact your state Attorney General's Office and the Federal Trade Commission to get the money back! 

More Scam Tracking Tools

I get excited overtime I learn about new scam tracking tools. The International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) just unveiled a new online tool to sort and render customer's complaints about scams across the globe. 

Here, anyone anywhere can learn about financial losses and reports submitted to this vast network. It consist of written allegations  by foreign consumers against U.S. businesses along with allegations of fraud by U.S customers against foreign companies. 

Online shopping, tech support scams, romance scams, advance fees/credit arrangers, and prizes/sweepstakes/lotteries topped the list of world wide scams in 2019. 

If you have an issue with a business in the U.S, you can visit ftc.gov/complaint or if the business is overseas, you can file your report at econsumer.gov.

Technology is as good as we can make it. Let's use it to spread for learning and spreading cyber security awareness and scam prevention.

Thank you for visiting my blog! Here I strive to empower you with cyber security awareness and scam prevention. If you find this content helpful, please sign up for my FREE monthly safety newsletter at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe.

In the meantime, watch out for Scammers like Jester Jensen!

Stay Safe and Stay Secure! 

Ken Harris
Writer/Puppeteer
https://www.kenharrisnews.com

Common Scams to Avoid

Common Scams to Avoid

Thank you for visiting my blog! Here I strive to empower you with cyber security awareness and scam prevention. If you find this content helpful, please sign up for my FREE monthly safety newsletter at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe.

Last week, I was thrilled to become a volunteer Digital Fraud Fighter for AARP at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork. I will be receiving recurring training and correspondence with fellow participants to spread the latest news and events to help keep you vigilant. 

I encourage you to check it out AARP's scam tracking map at https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/tracking-map/. With this tool, you can check for active complaints around your neighborhood, community, and everywhere! 

I wish to briefly refresh you about some of the hottest rip-offs going on during this Coronavirus pandemic. Don't get swindled! 

Employment Cons

Reportedly, scammers are preying on those are looking for work. They utilize online search tools to review submitted resumes from either fake agencies or reputable networking sites. They may even act as a prospective employer by sending you an unsolicited email. 

Regardless of their mode of operation there is a catch. In order to be guaranteed a job, there are heavy expenses incurred by this so called organization. 

This is why they mail you a fraudulent check to cover training expenses. The amount will be more than what was intended. So, they will ask you to deposit the check into your banking account and wire them back the difference or send gift cards to satisfy the fees. 

In reality, there is no offer for employment. If a check is involved, the bank will eventually discover it is no good and you will be left with the stiff tab. 

Genuine employment do not come with a price tag. Recruiters are compensated by traditional businesses. Verify the reputations of those purporting to be an unheard company with your local Business Bureau and/or the Federal Trade Commission at https://ftc.gov/compliant

Census Scams

Imposters acting as census takers are showing up at doors, send an abundance of emails, and initiating unsolicited phone calls to unsuspecting victims. 

They are asking for security card numbers to verify occupants of a home. They even go as far as to solicit donations for a cause. 

This year, we have seen a spiked in these criminals demanding payment of fines from victims and making threats of arrest. 

For now, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Official U.S Census Bureau has only suspended person to person visits. If someone comes to home claiming to work for the Census, it's not true. 

Do not provide any details about yourself or anyone living there! 

Election Scams

Be mindful of fake political ads posing as political action committees, pollsters, and campaign volunteers. 

By purporting to be collecting fundraisers, they seek to get information about your banking card numbers. They are so desperate, they may even ask you to make a donation by gift card or wire transfer. 

These type of attacks can materialize by phone, email, and even social media posts. 

Steer away from donating to a candidate on the basis of an unsolicited pitch. Reach out directly to the campaigns you support. Do the best you can do keep personal information off social media that can influence a scammer to zero in on you. 

Medicare Fraud

Have you ever received a phone call or email from a company offering free DNA swab tests for cancer, medical devices, or other services?

They want your Medicare number! 

These criminals may even come directly to your house with a too-good-to-be-true sales pitch. 

Only share your health conditions and Medicare information from trusted providers. 

The desires of these criminals are either to bilk the system for money for items that you may not need or nondelivery of services or products at the expense of taxpayers and your time lost. 

Phishing Scams

Computer criminals chase headlines. For example, in 2019, they shipped an estimated 3.5 billion packages. 

As a result, fraudsters have taken up the roles of Amazon representatives in the form of emails. 

They will contact you about a package intended for you that needs "confirmation" of your credit card number before it can reach you. 

Millions of these unsolicited emails are sent. The content includes a link that places malware on your operating system to pry out sensitive information. 

This is how fake tech support scams are often run. Some may even impact a virus into your computer and charge you for removal. They may also have you pay for a worthless computer maintenance program. 

COVID-19 Scams

Since the outbreak, Americans have lost over 10 million dollars to theses type of scams. Once again, cyber attackers are following world wide trends along fear and uncertainty to line their pockets. 

Naturally, people want to believe there is a cure or treatment for what is plaguing the world. Apparently, emails offering vaccines or access to critical medical equipment is transforming hopeful people into believers. 

Such high urge for preferable outcomes has seen victims surrender credit card information for products that never arrives. The technique of phishing is a preferable practice in this fraud as scammers are unleashing links in the body of emails to install malware and steal passwords. 

Always visit official state and federal government websites for updates! Don't rely on any unsolicited email claiming to have good news about treatment or cure for this diabolic disease. 

Conclusion

With all that said lets be weary of the following.

• If you are or suspect you have been victim of fraud, don't be afraid to contact someone you trust about it. Reach out to reputable agency like the Federal Trade Commission at https://ftc.gov/compliant, AARP Fraud Watch Network at AARP.org/fraudwatchnetwork, or your local Better Business Bureau. 
• Avoid Medical product claims. Research questionable companies through official government websites and  nonprofit organizations.
• Be weary of offers sounding too good to be true. Look for honest reviews online from safe websites you trust. 
• Be smart and aware. Consider using a password manager for your accounts. Change passwords often and never share with anyone. Enable two or three step verification when possible. 

Funny video but educational as well! Ransomware: a subcategory hazard of malware! 

Thank you again for visiting my blog!

Here I strive to empower you with cyber security awareness and scam prevention. If you find this content helpful, please sign up for my FREE monthly safety newsletter at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe.

Until next time my friends stay safe and secure!

Ken Harris
Writer/Puppeteer
https://www.kenharrisnews.com

Email and Phishing Scams

Email and Phishing Scammer

 Thank you for visiting my blog! With scams soaring like never before since the COVID- 19 outbreak, I hope this content serves you well in being proactive against scams.  

Please sign up for my free monthly digital safety newsletter at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe.

Email and Phishing Scams

Last year in the U.S alone, an estimated 16 million victims lost 17 billion dollars to identity theft. That’s just one type of scam! 

I’m sure if AARP, the Better Business Bureau, and other organizations intended to protect the financials security of Americans, combined all their figures from reported swindles, the final tally would be mind-blowing. 

Now with the COVID-19 pandemic creating fear and uncertainty everywhere, con artists are conjuring up new ways to squander people’s finances and personal information. This gives them motivation to reach out with offers too good to be true and the impersonation of government agencies to steal personal information. 

Email and phishing cons are just some of the tactics these criminals apply. Cyber attackers sends thousands, if not millions of emails daily. They are not sure who get these messages; but their objective is to trick a victim into some call of action. It includes the following.

• ·     Clicking on a link
• ·     Opening an attachment
• ·     Completing a form

Taking either of the above actions can get you tangled in a spider web of deceit!

Some Common Methods by Criminals

Since scammers are attempting to “phish” as many victims as possible, their messages are usually directed to “Dear Customer” or other generic greeting. 

The bad guys creates a strong sense of urgency or curiosity to the receiver. They pretend be an official organization like a bank or may impersonate a local, state, or federal agency. 

Generally, these fake senders will have grammar or spelling mistakes in the content of these email messages. 

Another clue to look out for is if the email originated from a personal email account such as an @gmail.com address. Also, by looking at the top left, the “From Email Address” line may appear like it generated from an official organization. But the “reply to-address” is someone’s personal email account. 

Here are some other clues that should raise red flags.

• Messages requesting highly sensitive information like credit card number or password.

• You receive a message from someone you know but the tone or message does not sound like him or her. 

What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?

It is easy for a scammer to create an email that appears to be from a friend or coworker. 

If the message includes a clickable link, you can hover your mouse cursor over it to

reveal the link’s true destination. Make this a common practice to confirm if you being directed to a legitimate website. 

Even on many mobile devices, pressing to hold the link will also show the true destination. Instead of clicking on a link, you can type the website address directly into your browser. Why respond directly to a suspicious email claiming to be your bank when you can use the browser? 

I wouldn’t open any attachments I wasn’t expecting. The last thing I want is opening an infected attachment and subjecting my computer to malware. Not all antivirus can detect malware. 

Also Keep In Mind...

Take care to not expose sensitive information when using email or messaging. 

Email features, such as auto complete, make it easy for you to mistakenly email the wrong person. Once you send an email out, you cannot retract it. 

Also, be careful with the “Email reply all Feature” thread as you may not want to respond to an entire group of people who received the same email. 

Cyber Brats

In this short educational web-series video I created, check out the consequences for being too trusting to an unsolicited phone regarding Medicare fraud scam on a fictional radio show. These types of threats are common. 

You can check out more of these educational videos at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ5JPhBrP4OpCKeY4hbm5Dg/videos

Did you know Shark Tank Star and Investor Barbara Corcoran nearly loss $400,000 to a scammer. Yes, this could happen to anyone! Check out the podcast on the AARP website at https://www.aarp.org/podcasts/the-perfect-scam/info-2020/barbara-corcoran-phishing-scam.html

Beware of Fake Census Questionnaires

The completion of census questionnaires are required by law. Scammers know this and uses this headline to plant seeds of trouble. 

Keep this in mind if a suspicious person claiming to work for the Census reaches out to 

you via email, phone call, or in-person visit. 

1. A real member of the Census will never threaten you with arrest for any reason.
2. If you are asked to make a payment for anything, that should raise red flags. 
3. In-person interviews have been temporarily suspended by the agency due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, keep in mind census mailings have a return address of Jeffersonville, Indiana which is the site of the National Processing Center. If you hear or see another address, then run!

We have to be careful out there as these scammers may also contact you by phone, email, and Home visit. Their eager to fool you by present themselves as an official agency tasked with prying information out of you. 

To confirm if any census communications are true, contact the Census Bureau’s national Processing Center or the regional office in your state directly . 

Be wary of trusting caller ID on your phone. Scammers can use “spoofing tools” to make it look like it’s coming from an official department phone number. 

Report any suspected scams to your Census Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission online or at 877-382-4357. Also, you can contact the AARP Fraud Watch helpline to report fraud at 1-877-908-3360. 

Resource and Tools

AARP has a useful scam tracking map to learn of and report scams in your area. I find this a highly efficient resource. Check it out on their website at https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/tracking-map/

In addition, AARP has the Fraud Watch Network Guide and other free educational booklets available for download. I encourage you to look at all what they offer to keep you safe. 

Connecting Point has an informative video about scam prevention below.

Thank you again for visiting my blog. It would be an honor to serve you with more informative news to help keep you and your family safe from schemes. I would greatly appreciate it if you sign up for my free safety digital newsletter at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe.

Stay safe and secure!

Ken Harris

Writer/Puppeteer

PS Beware of scammers like Jester Jenson!

Scams Amidst Covid-19 Fears

Welcome! Thank you for checking out my blog where I strive to share the latest news and events pertaining to scams to keep you safe and secure.

With my passion for using puppets to depict situations, along with my articles, it is my hope you find this content informative and helpful.

Please subscribe to my email list at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe to get the latest news and events from my free digital monthly newsletter in a fun way!

The Covid-19 Fears exposes a new low for Scammers

Scam artists has the practice of observing worldly events; studying trends in order to prosper in a specific market. 

This is common during the Christmas season when they target the elderly with a grandparent scam in where they pose as a grandchild in need of financial help as a result of an arrest, hospitalization, or vehicle accident. 

Now, with the spread of coronavirus fears on an alarming level, these fraudulent predators are manipulating an assortment of mediums to reap monetary gains in the latest schemes to date. 

Let's take a closer look at these deceitful methods.

Social Media

Currently, there is no medically proven preventative treatment or cure for Covid-19. Yet, advertisements for these “miracle products” are appearing on social platforms at a time when many people are home from work and practicing social distancing. 

Also, a rumor is circulating that government scientists found a vaccine but is keeping it hush-hush for security purposes. That is untrue. Complete rubbish and unfounded. 

Fake Websites

Computer criminals are reaching out to victims with offerings of essential supplies such as masks, gloves, and cleaning products for the protection. 

There is a lack of these supplies in local stores due to the profound paranoia that is compelling people to stock pile these items. 

In reality, not only does this creates a challenge for medical professionals 

who don’t have enough of these essentials; but also, this increases one’s vulnerability for internet thieves overseeing deceptive businesses. 

Increasingly, victims are buying these products; but they don’t receive them in the mail. In addition, those who do get them learn the items are of low quality and not as advertised. 

Communications

Con artists goes at great length to disguise their motives via text message, phone call, and email. 

As I previously pointed out, sometimes they target specific victims whom have a need for a service or item. 

Through relentless persuasive tactics, they capitalize on existing consumer fears, hatred, sadness, hope, aspirations, and other preferences. 

Recently, such methods were used in impersonating government agencies such as the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to con unsuspecting recipients into opening attachments and downloading malicious software. 

Instead of sharing promised news regarding Covid-19, the real motive is to ultimately steal personal or financial information.

It is easy to see why senior citizens are preferred targets. Genuinely, they are trusting and can easily be tempted to fall for fraudulent activities. The FBI explains this on there website at https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/seniors

When this happen, there could be a delay in the reporting of this to local authorities, the Better Business Bureau, and AARP, the leading advocacy group for seniors. Reasons such as shame and embarrassment could disguise instances of deception unless a caretaker or relative happen to stumble upon it.

The Better Business Bureau actually has loads of existing allegations about schemes in your neck of the woods. Find out about the cons in your local area at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker

Another reason includes the affected senior opting not to discuss the incident to anyone for fear of losing his or her financial independence as a result of declining cognitive ability. 

Anyone can be a victim to fraud regardless of age. All would have to work long and hard to clear up the mess with financial institutions to prevent future exploitation. 

In this day and age of hideous fraud investment opportunities, counterfeit essentials, and other massive deceptions, we are all in this together to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and to spread cyber security awareness. 

Please sign up for my free monthly cybersecurity awareness newsletter monthly depicting real life scams with puppets and the latest news and events at https://shadowworldpresent.wixsite.com/safe

Also, check out my current educational videos on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ5JPhBrP4OpCKeY4hbm5Dg?view_as=subscriber

By subscribing and sharing, you will be helping me to get the word out about scams.

Thank you my friends!

Until next time, stay safe and stay secure.

Ken Harris

Puppeteer/Writer

An Upcoming Educational Web Series Focusing on Scams

Art by Aaron Harris

Lets face it. An educational lecture on any sensitive topic could still be boring.

The subject of scams is no exception. This is a global problem that will never go away in it's entirely.

As our technology get better, so will the skills of scammers to access our sensitive data for financial gain.

A Creative Passion blended with a Self Call to Action

Recently, I came up with a terrific fun idea with spreading world about cyber security awareness. It's purely educational but includes specks of entertainment.

Puppets.

Yes, I find this endeavor challenging and exciting to pass on what I learn on a continuous basis!

This is the introduction to my Youtube Channel that will eventually be home to many cyber security awareness videos

An Unlikely Pair...

The setting takes place in a fictional radio station. It stars host Cyber Sly, a former scammer, and cohost Alexander Midas, a former business man who's business crumpled after a cyber attacker accessed his customer's banking accounts.

 Cyber Sly is a change man who now wants to make a difference in the world.

Alex Midas is an angry man who resents Cyber Sly and don't think computer criminals can change their behaviors.

Each episode will be 7 to 10 minutes in length with 3 segments on scenarios and tips involving malware, phishing, spoofing, identity theft, social media, targeting, iCloud, and so much more involving the latest news and updates happening in the world.

Having written monthly articles pertaining to cyber security awareness in the Point of View Community Newspaper at http://www.afampov.com, I feel I need to do more to get the word out on how people can stay safe and secure from multitudes of scams (check out page 19!)

While computer criminals congregate on the dark web to share their deceitful tactics and organize plans to trick an unsuspecting victim, I feel we should be joining or creating platforms like this to educate ourselves.

"Cyber Brats" is a show that will be free and available on Youtube in June 2020. In the meantime, I like for you to subscribe to my blog to get the latest news and events regarding cyber security awareness.

This program is geared for adults with an emphasis on sharing insightful tips and suggestions to avoid being a victim to a scam.

I welcome any suggestions to this platform. Please leave any comments or questions below and I willrespond promptly.

Thank you for your time and I hope to be your source for informative news to help keep you safe
from scammers!

Ken Harris
Author/Puppeteer
https://www.amazon.com/Kenneth-Harris/e/B071ZZK56K/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0