Security News > 2023 > July > Tech support scammers go analog, ask victims to mail bundles of cash

Cybercriminals are taking their business offline in a new approach to familiar technical support scams recently identified by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In a bulletin published yesterday, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center says it's noticed a recent uptick in technical support scams across the US that, rather than urging victims to wire funds, send cryptocurrency or hand over gift card codes, is asking them to mail magazine-wrapped wads of cash.

For those familiar with tech support scams, the operation discovered by the FBI will sound familiar.

It's not clear why scammers are employing the new tactic, but it could have something to do with payment processing firm Nexway being accused by the US Federal Trade Commission in April of knowingly processing credit card payments for Microsoft-themed account scammers.

While blatant tech support scams like sending packages of cash tend to target older adults unfamiliar with the intricacies of digital platforms, it's not necessarily the case that older folks are the most common victims.

According to a 2021 report from Microsoft, overly confident millennials and Gen Z'ers are most likely to fall for tech support scams.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/07/19/tech_support_analog/