With many people experiencing COVID-19-related financial challenges, cybercriminals have unfortunately been preying on the situation. As the population awaits additional stimulus, cybercriminals have been issuing fake texts promising a thousand dollars or more in COVID-relief with malicious links that can compromise a person’s identity, card information and more.
Potential victims will get an SMS that contains a falsified claim of a COVID-19 relief program. Consumers are referred to by name in an attempt to coax them. Typically, there is a malicious link, and the receiver can get infected just by clicking on the link, allowing attackers to access sensitive information such as account numbers, passwords and credit card information.
Cybersecurity experts are advising people not to click unknown links sent to them and only check bank accounts and mail for any stimulus payments.