Greg's Corner

Tagged: iPhone Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on September 11, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Apple ( 30 ), cryptocurrency ( 51 ), deep fakes ( 6 ), iPhone, Scams ( 1,366 ), Tim Cook ( 2 )   

  Crypto Scammers Exploit Apple’s iPhone 16 Event 

  

  By Greg Collier

  On September 9, as Apple enthusiasts eagerly tuned in for the launch of the iPhone 16 during the ‘Glowtime’ event, scammers took advantage of the hype by launching an elaborate crypto scam. Using deepfake technology, the scammers created videos that impersonated Apple CEO Tim Cook, promoting fraudulent cryptocurrency giveaways and investment schemes. These videos, which were posted on YouTube, lured unsuspecting viewers into participating in crypto transactions by flashing QR codes on the screen. Viewers were asked to send their cryptocurrency to fake websites that closely resembled Apple’s official site.

  This isn’t the first time scammers have deployed deepfake technology to impersonate prominent figures. Earlier this year, similar tactics were used to imitate Elon Musk, spreading false crypto giveaways.

  The deepfake videos on YouTube managed to garner thousands of views before being taken down, but not before several people flagged them on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Social media users expressed concern over the growing misuse of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) for fraudulent purposes.

  This event serves as a chilling reminder of the increasing sophistication of cryptocurrency scams. With cryptocurrencies’ volatile nature and the difficulty of tracing transactions, hackers have found fertile ground for fraud. The FBI has warned that crypto scammers are using ever more advanced techniques, with members of the crypto community losing over $5.6 billion to such scams last year.

  It’s important to remember that celebrity endorsements of cryptocurrency schemes are usually fake. Scammers often exploit the likeness and voices of well-known figures, like Tim Cook or Elon Musk, to create a false sense of trust and credibility. These endorsements are rarely, if ever, legitimate. Instead, they are sophisticated traps designed to manipulate and deceive people into investing in fraudulent schemes. When it comes to crypto, always exercise caution and verify information through trusted sources before making any transactions. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

   

  Leave a ReplyCancel reply
• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on April 8, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Find My iPhone, iPhone, robbery ( 11 ), Scams ( 1,366 )   

  “You have my iPhone” scam sparks warning 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In the age of social media, viral content isn’t always about dance challenges or cute animal videos. Sometimes, it serves a more critical purpose – like spreading awareness about scams that could potentially harm or rob unsuspecting individuals. Recently, a TikTok video did just that, warning viewers about an iPhone scam that’s been circulating and gaining traction.

  The video details an encounter where two women attempted to scam the content creator while he was parked at a grocery store. The scam involved the women accusing him of having their lost iPhone, a ploy commonly used by scammers to gain access to someone’s property or vehicle.

  Although the man recognized the scam and drove away from the parking lot, the scammers persisted and followed him. Fortunately, the situation didn’t escalate, and the man emerged unharmed.

  The scam starts when the scammers approach their target, claiming that their lost iPhone is inside the victim’s home or vehicle. The scammers often show the location on the “Find My iPhone” app as supposed proof. In some cases, they may try to coax the victim into letting them inside their home or leaving the safety of their residence.

  What makes this scam particularly dangerous is its potential to escalate into violence if the victim resists or refuses to comply. When the initial attempt fails, scammers might become more aggressive, putting the victim’s safety at risk.

  Although some Android users may assume they’re safe from this scam as it primarily targets iPhone users, the type of phone isn’t the critical factor; rather, it’s the scammer’s intent to gain access to your property. It’s crucial for individuals not to attempt to assist the scammers in locating their phone.

  In response to this alarming trend, law enforcement agencies have issued warnings, urging people to remain cautious and vigilant. It’s crucial to prioritize personal safety and not to engage with or assist the scammers in any way. Instead, individuals should contact the authorities if they encounter suspicious behavior.

   
• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on October 23, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: data breach ( 32 ), iPhone, recall ( 3 ), Scams ( 1,366 ), Verizon ( 10 )   

  New scam targets new iPhone users 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Apple recently released the newest iteration of the iPhone, the iPhone 15. While it’s only an incremental upgrade from the iPhone 14, the most newsworthy feature of the new iPhone is it can now be charged by USB-C. Previously, Apple used its proprietary Lightning connector, even though USB-C charges and transfers data faster. However, the iPhone 15 has been very popular among the Apple faithful, and when something is that popular, scammers are bound to follow.

  In previous years, an iPhone scam would consist of scammers claiming to sell a brand-new iPhone online for well under market value. From there, a number of scams could take place, most likely just to take the buyer’s money without giving them an iPhone. This new scam, is trying to get the iPhone 15 out of the hands of people who already own one.

  According to tech news site Tom’s Guide, one of their own reporters was approached by a scammer after they purchased an iPhone 15. The scammer called the reporter, posing as a representative from Verizon. The scammer said that due to overheating issues, the reporter needed to return their iPhone 15 because it was dangerous. While the iPhone 15 did have an overheating issue, it was never dangerous and has since been fixed with an update.

  The reporter called Verizon and verified this was a scam, but the scammer had already sent FedEx to pick up their phone. When the reporter spoke with the FedEx driver, the address the phone was going to be sent to was not to Verizon.

  What’s concerning about this scam is the scammers had enough of the reporter’s personal information to initiate this scam. If this had happened to someone who was less informed about scams, there’s a good chance they would have fallen victim. It’s believed scammers got this information from a Verizon data breach which happened earlier this year.

  When a product is defective and poses a danger to users, companies will not call customers. Instead, a recall will be issued by releasing statements to the media. At best, a customer may receive a post card in the mail letting them know about the recall. If you’ll think back to the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle when the batteries were catching fire, no one was calling Note users asking for their phones.

  If you’ve purchased an iPhone through Verizon in the past few years, you probably want to be on the lookout for this type of phone call. If you receive this type of call, hang up and whatever you do, don’t send the phone to the scammers. Odds are, if you do, you’ll never see it again.

   
• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on April 4, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 45 ), identity theft ( 107 ), Instagram ( 17 ), iPhone, Scams ( 1,366 ), social media ( 79 ), sweepstakes ( 25 )   

  Instagram scam promises free iPhone 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Not too long ago, we brought you a post about how an Instagram scam could hijack your account. As we mentioned then, there are no shortages of scams on the popular photo sharing platform. Recently, one of those scams rose above the others to garner some headlines.

  CNET is reporting an iPhone giveaway scam is currently plaguing Instagram users. If you use Instagram on a consistent basis, you may have seen one of these scam posts. Users are being tagged by what are essentially spam accounts. These posts promise you a free iPhone 13 and all you need to do is click the link in the tagger’s profile. According to CNET, if you click the link, you’ll be taken to a website where you’ll be asked for your personal information and a credit or debit card number.

  While the CNET article does not go into specifics, we believe this could be one of two scams. The first one is straight up identity theft. With your personal and financial information, scammers could easily take over your life. Not only could identity thieves use your card for fraudulent purchase, but they could also use your information to take out loans or open other lines of credit.

  The other scam could be the advance fee scam. This is where a user is told they’ve won something, but have to pay a fee to collect their prize. This is a common scam when it comes to online giveaways. The scammers will disguise the payments as shipping fees, insurance for the item, or some form of tax. While this practice is illegal in the United States for legitimate sweepstakes, scammers aren’t concerned with the law.

  The best way to avoid this scam is to not expect anything for free on social media. Never click the links that these scam Instagram accounts provide. Furthermore, never give your personal information to random Instagram accounts, no matter how good the prize their offering is. Lastly, you can set your Instagram account to only be tagged by people you know or people you follow. You can also set it to where users can manually approve each tag they receive. The CNET article has the instructions for that.

   
• 

  Geebo 9:00 am on March 9, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Facebook Marketplace ( 62 ), iPhone, Minnesota ( 8 ), Rochester, Scams ( 1,366 )   

  Used iPhone scam targets online buyers 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Whenever someone tries to buy a used high-end phone online, like an iPhone, there’s always a risk of being scammed. The most common scam is they’re trying to sell you a stolen phone. If a phone is reported stolen, the buyer wouldn’t be able to activate the phone on their network, or any network for that matter. Depending on what platform a buyer uses, they could also end up with a counterfeit iPhone that’s not an iPhone at all. However, a new scam has the buyer show up at the exchange before the scam even takes place.

  A couple in Rochester, Minnesota, recently found themselves out of almost $400 after attempting to buy an iPhone 13 through Facebook Marketplace. They met in public, and the couple gave the seller $375 for the iPhone. That’s when the phone started to ring. The seller’s mother was supposedly the caller and told the seller that she left her personal information on the phone and needed to delete it. The seller told the couple he was going to his home and that he’d be right back. The seller never returned. The Rochester Police have said that this has been an ongoing scam in their area.

  When using an unmoderated platform like Facebook Marketplace, assume everything is a scam. This is especially true when you find a better than average deal. As always, we recommend to our readers that if you’re meeting in public to make an exchange, meet the other party at your local police department. While it’s not a guarantee that you won’t be scammed, it will go a long way in discouraging scammers from meeting with you. We also recommend never getting into the other party’s vehicle or going to a private residence for the meet up, as this can put you in great danger.

   
• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on September 11, 2019 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Apple ( 30 ), iPhone, Scams ( 1,366 )   

  How to get the new iPhone without being ripped off 

  

  Yesterday at one of their annual events, Apple announced the upcoming release of the iPhone 11. While the new generation of iPhones aren’t that much different than the iPhone X, they are said to have better cameras and better battery life along with a faster processor. Apple even took a step that they don’t normally do by offering these devices at a lower price than their predecessor. The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are being sold at prices of $699, $999, and $1,099 respectively for the base 64GB models. If you skipped the iPhone X this may be the time for you to pick up a new device. However, you shouldn’t let your eagerness for a new phone override your common sense when it comes to getting a deal.

  [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3yIViqkmME%5D

  As soon as new iPhones are announced, scammers are probably already looking to take your money or sell you knockoffs. The iPhone 11 does not officially go on sale online through Apple until this Friday. At 5am PT on the 13th, you’ll be able to order an iPhone 11 through Apple’s online store. Then the devices will be available through retail outlets come the 20th. While iPhones are still wildly popular, they don’t have the demand like they used to when people would camp out at Apple stores trying to get their hands on the limited supply. That doesn’t mean that scammers won’t try to make a buck off of you.

  Often, scammers will post iPhones for sale claiming that they bought two by accident and are trying to get rid of one. Or they’ll say they bought one then got another one as a gift. These could be serious red flags when it comes to buying a new iPhone second hand. If you are going to buy an iPhone second hand, try to avoid the usual scams such as wiring money to the seller. If the seller can’t meet you at a local police station then the odds are pretty good you saved yourself from fraud.

  If you miss out on the first round of orders from Apple, just be patient. After the hoopla dies down you’ll probably be able to get a decent deal from one of the top phone carriers as we get closer to the holiday season.

   
• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on July 19, 2019 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: iPhone, kentucky ( 6 ), marketplace app ( 3 ), Scams ( 1,366 ), wire fraud ( 21 )   

  Check out this bizarre double scam! 

  

  We’ve been telling you about numerous scams for some time now in order to help better protect consumers. Every so often we’ll post a story about a scam we’ve previously discussed to remind consumers that these scams are still out there. Occasionally we’ll post about a brand new scam that’s either brand new or one we’ve never heard of before. Then there are times like now where we bring you a scam so unusual it almost defies belief. One such scam just recently took place in the state of Kentucky where a woman was almost scammed twice by the same scammers using two different scams.

  The victim thought she was buying an iPhone online through a marketplace app. She paid $200 for the phone over the internet but never received the phone. Months later, she was contacted by someone posing as some kind of investigator. They showed her a copy of a receipt that was supposed to be for her phone and that the scammer had been caught and was being forced to pay restitution as part of a settlement. She was told that as part of the settlement she could receive $30,000 in compensation. Of course, there was a catch. All she had to do was wire some money to cover the costs of processing. Luckily, the woman’s mother warned the victim that this was nothing more than a scam.

  When dealing with marketplace apps that have no verified sellers, always deal locally and never send any money over the internet. Never wire any money either for any part of the transaction as marketplace apps are rife with wire fraud like this. Only deal locally and in cash. When you meet to make the transaction always do so at a local police station. With as great as a convenience online shopping can be, with marketplace apps there are too many variables that can’t be controlled.

   
• 

  Geebo 10:00 am on January 8, 2019 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Apple ( 30 ), iPhone, phishing ( 76 ), Scams ( 1,366 )   

  iPhone users receiving spoofed calls from Apple in latest phishing attack 

  

  Another sophisticated scam seems to be targeting Apple users once again. In the past few weeks, we’ve posted about how one phishing attack targeted Mac users by directing users to log into a site that looks like Apple’s website but then steals your Apple user ID and Password. Then we posted about another scam where a phony app from the iOS App Store posed as an app to help you get an Amazon Echo activated but instead asked you for more information than such an app needed. Now, an even more insidious scam is targeting iPhone users once again.

  In this latest attack, iPhone users are reporting receiving calls that appear to come from Apple’s official support number. An automated message then informs the iPhone user that Apple user IDs have been compromised and directs the user to call a different toll-free number. The additional phone number appears to go overseas and may be connected to a team of scammers who may be trying to obtain personal information, money for ‘fixing’ the problem, or both.

  As can be expected with these types of scams, Apple has said that they never call their customers out of the blue like this. With the ever-increasing advent of spoofed phone numbers and robocalling, these scams are becoming more prevalent by the day> many of these scams seem to be disproportionately targeting Apple users since Apple devices can be rather expensive which in turn can make Apple users lucrative targets. If you’re an iPhone user and you receive a call like this, call Apple back directly and do not call the number from the automated message. You worked hard to be able to afford that iPhone so why let someone take advantage of you?

   
• 

  Geebo 9:04 am on April 24, 2018 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: iPhone, LetGo ( 10 ), Long Island ( 2 ), rice, scam ( 22 )   

  LetGo users scammed into buying boxes of rice 

  

  Most of us have heard the tip that when you accidentally drop your phone in water, you should then place it in a bag of rice. But what do you do when your phone is a bag of rice? That’s what happened recently to some users of the mobile marketplace app LetGo when they were trying to purchase iPhones.

  In Suffolk County in New York on Long Island, three people were arrested recently for selling iPhone boxes full of rice to people who thought they were buying the renowned smart phone through LetGo. The scammers allegedly claimed that they were selling brand new iPhones still in the box and factory sealed when in reality the boxes were filled with nothing but rice to simulate the weight of an iPhone and its accessories. When police investigated the residence where the operation was taking place, they reportedly found an industrial sealer, a heat gun, and a roll of clear plastic wrap among the packages of rice.

  If you’re buying something from a classifieds site or app always be skeptical of anything listed as sealed in box. As you can see, it doesn’t take much to reseal a box and there have been many stories over the years where people have been sold sealed boxes that have been filled with bricks, carpet samples, and many other bits of detritus. This is yet another reason to use safe exchange zones such as police stations to make your transactions. Not only do these zones go a long way in helping to protect your safety, but they also go a long way in preventing you from getting ripped off.

   
• 

  Geebo 10:00 am on January 11, 2018 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: iPhone, phone scam ( 46 )   

  Don’t buy a locked iPhone 

  

  Previously, we’ve discussed the inherent problems with buying an iPhone through a less than reputable site like craigslist. Whether it’s an old scam like wiring the money to a seller, or a new one like the cloned knock off iPhone, there is a minefield of traps you need to avoid when buying one of Apple’s most coveted products used.

  Recently, a man on Falls Church, Virginia, bought a used iPhone 8 off of craigslist and the phone seemed to pass all the tests in being a legitimate working iPhone. That was until he tried to activate the phone and found that the phone was blocked, or a more accurate term may be blacklisted. The phone was purchased through a payment plan with the phone’s carrier rather than being bought outright. The previous owner failed to make payments and when that happens the phone is immediately blacklisted and can not be activated ever.

  One of the things you can do to protect yourself is to try to activate the phone while the seller is there with you. Another is to check the IMEI or ESN numbers, a form of cell phone identification, with a number of websites that can check to see if the phone is blacklisted or not. Also, try using a more reputable site than craigslist. And as always, meet the seller at a police station. Not only does this go a long way in keeping you physically safe, but someone with a blocked phone may not be so willing to sell the phone where they can be recorded.