SCAMMERS are using automated phone calls to try and steal your two-factor authentication codes and hack into your accounts.
That’s according to a new report about hackers using the scam to try and break into your Apple, Amazon, PayPal, and bank accounts.
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According to a report by Vice, cyber criminals have worked out a cunning but convincing way to hack you via a simple call.
The report said one of the fraudulent automated calls states: “In order to secure your account, please enter the code we have sent your mobile device now.
The reporter then entered a code that had popped up on their phone and the automated message stated: “Thank you, your account has been secured and this request has been blocked.
“Don’t worry if any payment has been charged to your account: we will refund it within 24 to 48 hours. Your reference ID is 1549926. You may now hang up.”
Scammers are said to be using automated bot calls like this to trick you into giving up your genuine multi-factor authentication codes for all sorts of online accounts.
The scam requires a hacker to already know several details about you.
They’ll need your email address, password and number.
Personal data like this may have been leaked in a previous hack and cyber criminals buy and sell data like this online.
While the bot is ringing you, the hacker will try and break into your account and get an authentication code request sent to your device.
Then genuine authentication digits are messaged to you, you read these out and the bot gives that information to the hacker.
They can then access your account.
Vice’s report suggests the use of scam bots is rising in popularity as more people are buying them online.
The bots can cost thousands but are sometimes discounted.
How to stay safe
To avoid scams like this you need to stay vigilant and never easily give away personal information.
Always keep authentication codes to yourself.
If you’re concerned about an automated message, put the phone down and ring up a company on their official helpline or email their official customers services.
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In other news, Facebook has announced that it’s changing its name to “Meta”.
The company is working to create lifelike avatars of its users that they can control in a virtual world called the “metaverse”.
Apple’s system that exposes creepy iPhone apps that track your location or snoop on your browsing history has finally arrived.
And, astronomers claim to have spotted the first known planet outside of the Milky Way.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
