Covid-19 Scams *updated 3/30/20*

*Update 3/30/20*

For the City of Brandon:

Brandon Police warn public about COVID-19 scam

The City nor any organization within the City of Brandon is soliciting donations for Covid-19 research etc.  Please stay aware! Please stay safe!

Article from Brandon Police Service

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A New York Times article detailing the Covid-19 Virus.



Scammers are now taking advantage of the Covid-19 virus to try and get your hard-earned cash!

There is quite a few malware-infected "maps of Covid-19" circulating, once clicked on installs malware on your systems that scammers then use to steal your information. These are also being coupled with phishing scams, with people posing as health care representatives who will try to get your credit card information promising a vaccine or other medicines. Please DO NOT answer these!

Fake Covid- 19 maps article.

Fake emails regarding Covid-19.

There are even texting and phone phishing scams out there. Scammers are spoofing the number of Health centers and trying to get your information! NO ONE will call you, and ask for any financial or personal health information.

Have a read from this CTV news article:  Scammers pretending to be from Red Cross.

Do NOT answer any texts from the Red Cross or anyone claiming to be from such. They will NOT text you trying to sell you any masks, medicine or hand sanitizer, etc.

Please use common sense, everyone!  The media is causing more panic and frustration than anything else. Fear-mongering is taking over, people are panic buying, and profiteering from this.  Please protect yourself!

Here a little video I came across - The Angry Viking!  He has some good points!  He also has an awesome Southern Rock Band - Check them out as well - Wreckin' So!

Wash your hands!

More to come.....

A quick update, Hackers have created thousands of fake websites, etc to entice people to click on and give away private info!  Please read the following link from The HackerNews about it:

Hackers create phony webpages.


Sevenowl


From the Government of Canada - Prime Minister issues statement regarding text scam! Please read! And remember, all links here are verified and safe!

Covid-19 text scam for those applying for aid.

Have an Andriod device? Read on..

1 Billion Android devices are at risk of being hacked because they are no longer protected by security updates.  Early android users, with phones released around 2012 and earlier are especially at risk as they are no longer receiving updates from the Google operating system and built-in protection is no longer working.  Android version 7 or less are especially at risk. (released in 2017)


Here is the report by CTV news.  Android devices at risk.

Here's another by TechRadar.  Android devices at risk.

Some tips from the TechRadar article:

- Check whether your device qualifies for an update
- Be careful what you download
- Watch what you click on
- Back up your data
- Get mobile antivirus


Worth a read!  


Sevenowl.

Some funnies to pass the time until next article

Hope you all enjoy these.

And of course....