Hello and welcome to the official blog for ShowMyIP. We created this space to provide useful advice, current information, and general insights on staying safe online. Our goal is to give you the information you need to use the internet with confidence. We have content that can help, whether you are just starting to learn about cybersecurity or want to update your knowledge.

We will be covering subjects such as how to identify a phishing email, the warning signs of a fraudulent website, and methods for creating secure passwords. You can also test your knowledge with our Online Safety Quiz.

Check back for new posts that will help you protect your data and steer clear of frequent online hazards.

An email appeared in my inbox from a well-known retailer, informing me of a large, unexpected purchase. For a moment, I was concerned my account had been compromised. The message contained a convenient link and instructed me to "Click here to view details and cancel the order if this wasn't you." The link appeared genuine, and my first instinct was to click it.

However, something felt wrong. I decided to pause and examine the email more carefully. That's when I noticed the typical signs of a scam.

These are common indicators of a phishing attempt. If you need a reminder, you can learn more about how to spot a phishing email here.

Instead of using the link, I opened a new browser tab and typed the store's official web address myself. I logged in and checked my order history, which showed no recent activity. The email was a fake, designed to trick me into giving away my password or payment information.

The key takeaway is that criminals often use feelings of fear and urgency to their advantage. When you receive a message that causes alarm, take a moment to verify it through official channels. A few seconds of caution can prevent a significant problem.

Have you ever gotten an urgent message from a "family member" asking for money? Or perhaps an email from your "manager" with an immediate request to buy gift cards? These are common examples of impersonation scams. Unlike many phishing emails, these messages often skip the malicious links and rely on pressure and manipulation.

Example 1: The "Manager" Scam. An employee received an email that appeared to be from her company's CEO, instructing her to buy several gift cards for a client. The email explained that the CEO was traveling and couldn't do it, promising to reimburse her later. The sense of urgency and the request from a person in authority almost worked, but the employee remembered it was against company policy. She called her boss directly and confirmed it was a scam.

Example 2: The "Relative in Distress" Scam. A man received a call from someone who claimed to be his grandson. The caller said he was in trouble and needed money wired to him, pleading with the man not to tell his parents. The emotional appeal and the request for secrecy are common manipulation tactics. The man felt worried but called his son first, who confirmed the grandson was safe at home.

How to Stay Safe:

• Confirm Independently: Use a trusted phone number or contact method to get in touch with the person directly and verify the request. Do not use contact information provided in the suspicious message.
• Be Wary of Urgency: Scammers invent false deadlines to rush you. Pause and think, especially if a request is unusual.
• Notice Unusual Payment Methods: Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are red flags. Legitimate businesses and individuals rarely use these for unexpected needs.
• Trust Your Instincts: If a situation feels strange or pressured, it is likely a scam.

QR (Quick Response) codes have become common for everything from viewing menus to making payments. While convenient, their widespread use has led to a new kind of phishing known as Quishing.

How Quishing Works: Scammers take advantage of the trust people have in QR codes. For example, they might:

• Cover a legitimate QR code on a parking meter or flyer with a malicious sticker.
• Send emails with QR codes that appear to be from a trusted source, but which lead to fake websites.
• Use QR codes in fake ads that direct you to pages designed to steal your information.

Scanning these codes can take you to fraudulent sites that ask for login credentials, prompt malware downloads, or trick you into sending money to a scammer.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Inspect Public QR Codes: Before scanning, check if the code is a sticker placed over another one. If it looks altered, do not scan it.
• Think About the Context: Be cautious of QR codes in unexpected places or in unsolicited emails.
• Preview the URL: Many modern phones show you a preview of the web address before opening it. Check for misspellings or unusual domain names.
• Verify the Destination: If a QR code leads to a login page or asks for personal information, stop. Open your browser and navigate to the official website manually to confirm you are in the right place.
• Use Mobile Security Software: Consider installing security software on your phone that can help detect and block malicious websites.

QR codes are a useful tool, but it is important to be aware of the risks. By being careful and thinking before you scan, you can use them safely.

It starts with a phone call that appears to be from your bank. A person introduces themselves as a fraud prevention officer and tells you about suspicious activity on your account. When you confirm you didn't authorize the transactions, they tell you not to worry.

The caller explains that they need your help to catch the criminals. They may transfer you to another person claiming to be a police officer, who will explain that they are conducting a secret investigation.

This is the core of the scam. The "officer" will tell you that to protect your remaining funds and help with the "sting operation," you must move your money to a "secure account" they provide, which is often a cryptocurrency wallet. They create a sense of urgency and stress that you must not tell anyone, as it could compromise the "investigation."

These criminals are skilled at sounding professional and using tactics to manipulate you, such as:

• Faking the Caller ID to make the call look legitimate.
• Using an authoritative tone and specialized language.
• Insisting on immediate action and secrecy.
• Threatening you with legal trouble, like being arrested for "obstructing justice" if you do not cooperate.

Once the money transfer is complete, the callers disappear, and the phone numbers no longer work. You were not helping an investigation; you were the victim.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• A real bank or police officer will NEVER ask you to move money to a "safe account." This is the most important rule. If you are asked to do this, it is a scam.
• Hang up and verify. If you get a call like this, end the conversation immediately. Find the official phone number for your bank (on their website or the back of your card) and call them directly.
• Be suspicious of demands for secrecy or speed. Legitimate processes are not conducted with this kind of pressure.
• Any mention of cryptocurrency is a major red flag. Official institutions will not ask you to convert your money to cryptocurrency for an investigation.

I was expecting a package, so when I received a text message about an "unpaid customs fee of $2.50" holding up a delivery, it seemed plausible. Small, unexpected fees can happen with international shipping.

The message stated: "Your parcel [ID: UK9XXXXX12] requires a customs fee of $2.50. To schedule delivery, please visit: [suspicious-link-here]. Pay within 24 hours to avoid return."

The link did not look like it belonged to an official postal service. It was a generic-sounding URL. That was the first sign something was off. However, the small fee and the 24-hour deadline are designed to make people act quickly without thinking too much.

The real goal of this scam isn't the $2.50. It's to get you to click the link and enter your information on a fake payment page. On that page, you would be asked for:

• Your full name and address.
• Your credit or debit card number, expiration date, and security code.
• Possibly other personal details for "verification."

That small fee is just the bait to steal your sensitive financial and personal data.

How to Spot This Type of Scam:

• Unsolicited Contact: Are you actually expecting an international package that might have fees?
• Vague Details: The message likely won't use your name and will provide a generic tracking number you don't recognize.
• Suspicious Links: Examine the URL. If it doesn't match the official website of a known courier, do not trust it.
• Urgent Deadlines: The "pay within 24 hours" threat is a tactic to create pressure.
• A Small, Believable Fee: A small amount is used to make you lower your guard.

What You Should Do:

• Do not click the link.
• Use official channels. If you are expecting a package, go to the courier's official website and use your real tracking number to check its status.
• Delete the message.