Cybersecurity expert offers warning as cryptocurrency scam sweeps TikTok

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A cryptocurrency rip-off is sweeping by TikTok.

In accordance with the Higher Enterprise Bureau, it begins with a rip-off artist posting a video of a big pile of money {that a} con artist claims they made in only a few days by investing in cryptocurrency and that they will do the identical for you.

When you message the con artist, they’ll ask you to ship cash by Paypal, Zelle, or Venmo for a cryptocurrency “funding.”

As soon as the cash is distributed — they’re gone and so is the money.

Cybersecurity skilled Chris Hamer recommends everybody have a selected mindset in place to keep away from falling sufferer to get-rich-quick schemes on-line.

“If you happen to’re strolling down the road and any individual comes as much as you and says I can double your cash, simply give me 20 bucks and I gives you 40 {dollars} again simply as quickly as I get again. Are you going to offer it to them? Most likely not,” Hamer mentioned.

Hamer mentioned it’s vital to grasp that all the pieces that seems on social media won’t be what it appears.

That goes for enjoying on-line video games or taking part in seemingly innocent social media quizzes or for influencers with hundreds of followers promoting you merchandise.

“It’s so malevolent the way in which they do it,” Hamer mentioned of the social media quizzes. “Relying on what number of of those silly participation issues that you just’ve achieved, I do know your favourite colour, I do know your canine’s title, I do know your favourite meals. And all of that is used to construct up a profile that goes right into a database. A few of it’s used for focused promoting.”

Hamer mentioned it’s vital to keep in mind that “free” is rarely actually “free” with on-line providers.

“Any time anyone affords you a free service it’s since you’re the commodity. They’re promoting your info and your entry and your likes and dislikes to advertisers,” he mentioned. “You might be what they’re promoting to advertisers. You’re the commodity.”

Hamer mentioned the quizzes will also be used to glean extra private info that can be utilized for identification theft — like tricking you into sharing your delivery month with a “select your birthstone” quiz after which sharing your delivery 12 months and day in a separate quiz that seems to be from a special group however actually isn’t.

The much less info you give out, the much less probably you’ll be scammed, he mentioned.