Robocalls, e-mail SPAM, and internet crime

Lately, it seems that 90% of all of my inbound calls are robocalls. One of the benefits of using a voIP phone system is screening out these calls. I have mine set up to give them two chances to choose an extension or they will be disconnected. I have one series of numbers that calls me everyday, even though I have blocked them. I have registered all of my numbers on the DONOTCALL government registry but to no avail. It's usually about my business not being listed properly with Google, or I won a trip to Disneyland in Orlando. Unless our business relies on inbound calls, the best solution is to not pick up the phone if the call is blocked or the number calling is unrecognized. After all, that's what voicemail is for. There are call screening features and even an application that allows you to get revenge by engaging robots to waste their robots time. Granted this is not free but well worth it to some folks.

This time of year, it's not just guys breaking into cars in mall parking lots. Cybercrime is the new problem. It's far easier to break into your bank, credit card, or computer than your car these days. My wife gets phishing attempts almost daily. Yesterday, she received an e-mail supposedly claiming that she needs to change her Apple ID do to multiple log -in attempts. They wanted her to click on a "reactivate" link that was likely malware. The easiest way to validate this stuff is to wave your mouse over the return e-mail address. In this case, it was a dead giveaway that it did not come from Apple.

From: Apple <[email protected]>
Date: December 12, 2018 at 2:06:47 AM PST
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Apple ID Deactivated
Reply-To: <[email protected]>

Also... Never, ever, ever click on any links you find in e-mail for businesses that you currently have relations with, be it banks, e-bay, Paypal, or any other organization. It's always far safer to launch your browser and open a fresh page to play it safe. 

If you utilize a credit card machine, be it a bank ATM or a gas station pump, you are a giant target. Always pay a human being in the store or have them run your card, especially in areas where there is not an attendent or clerk watching 24/7. That's because more and more "bad hombres" are using "Skimmers" that attache and emulate the slot you slide your card in. These illegal devices steal your credit card information and are far more common than you would think. Juat ask your local police department.

Lastly, one good way to protect yourself is to use double authentication when possible. This means an additional 6 ditit code is required before anyone can access or make any changes on your account.

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