Scams, whose fault?

[basilio]

I checked out Toms Guide. Seems very useful.
The security section may be worth checking out

Security Articles | Tom's Guide

www.tomsguide.com

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Btw, re post from @Belli above. 2FA means two factor authentication e.g logging with email address and then a txt arrives to authenticate i.e make sure it is you.

Btw ,
btw = by the way
2FA = two factor authentication.
txt = text
i.e. = that is or id est in the original Latin.
gg = Garpal Gumnut

And yes, Toms Guide is good, I used have him bookmarked but changed computers last year and didn't import all my bookmarks. I must bookmark it again @basilio .
https://www.tomsguide.com/au. The Australian site address.

gg

 

[basilio]

How much do we rely on online reviews ? Is it a scam for a business to systematically kill negative reviews of its company and then organise numerous 5 star reviews through fiends, family and others ? Came across this story which highlights the problem.

Attorney General James Secures $100,000 from Manhattan Doctor Who Manipulated Online Reviews​

Dr. Mark Mohrmann and His Wife Suppressed Negative Reviews and Obtained Fake Positive Reviews for His Orthopedic Practice​

October 30, 2023​

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James secured $100,000 from a Manhattan-based orthopedic doctor who manipulated numerous online reviews of his practice to entice prospective patients. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) into Dr. Mark Mohrmann and his practice, Highline Orthopedics, found that he and his wife worked together to suppress negative reviews and artificially inflate positive reviews of his practice on numerous websites, including ZocDoc, Google, Yelp, Healthgrades, Vitals, Md.com, RateMds.com, and the Better Business Bureau. Fake online reviews are deceptive and a violation of New York’s business laws. As a result of today’s agreement, Dr. Mohrmann and his wife are required to continue to take down all of the fake positive reviews online and Dr. Mohrmann must pay $100,000 in penalties.

“Many patients rely on online reviews when choosing which doctor to trust with their health, and it’s important that these reviews are authentic,” said Attorney General James. “Dr. Mohrmann deceived patients through a secret campaign to remove negative reviews and unfairly obtain positive reviews to boost his practice. These actions are illegal and unacceptable, particularly for critical services like medical care. My office will continue to take action against those trying to mislead patients in New York.”

Attorney General James Secures $100,000 from Manhattan Doctor Who Manipulated Online Reviews

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James secured $100,000 from a Manhattan-based orthopedic doctor who manipulated numerous online reviews of his

ag.ny.gov

 

[basilio]

The above story was first flagged by Fake review Watch. This is a website run by an ex fraud investigator who runs a one person show exposing the huge industry around made up, bought reviews as well as efforts to run down other competitors.

A Current Affair did a story on one of her works.

Fake Review Watch

FTC lets review platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook off the hook

fakereviewwatch.com

 

[SirRumpole]

The above story was first flagged by Fake review Watch. This is a website run by an ex fraud investigator who runs a one person show exposing the huge industry around made up, bought reviews as well as efforts to run down other competitors.

A Current Affair did a story on one of her works.

Fake Review Watch

FTC lets review platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook off the hook

fakereviewwatch.com

I wouldn't trust reviews on online media.

If the reviewer is well established and credible, fine, otherwise they could be place by the vendors or their mates.

 

[basilio]

This is a seriously big business scam. Apparently Daihatsu, a Toyota subsidiary, has been falsifying safety test on cars for over 30 years. They just made up results!!!.

They have have now stopped production of all their vehicles. The effects on the car industry will be very widespread. Could one see a forced recall and compensation of all sold vehicles ?

Daihatsu, Toyota's small car subsidiary, shuts down factories due to falsified safety tests​

Posted 1h ago1 hours ago

Daihatsu president Soichiro Okudaira has blamed pressure on workers to meet ambitious demands.(Reuters: Issei Kato)

Link copied


Daihatsu, a subsidiary of Japanese car maker Toyota, has shut down production lines at all four of its factories as the Japanese government investigates reports the company faked safety test results on some car models for more than 30 years.

Key points:​

• Daihatsu makes Hijet trucks and vans and Mira hatchbacks, small cars popular in Japan
• The company assembled about 870,000 vehicles at its factories in the 2022 fiscal year
• It will not say when production will resume, but local media says operations will be suspended through January

The shutdown came a week after the company announced it was suspending all vehicle shipments in and outside Japan after admitting to improper testing involving 64 models.

That led transport ministry officials to launch a deeper probe into problems that reportedly persisted for decades.
So far there have been no reports of accidents or deaths due to the falsified tests.

The stoppage is expected to affect thousands of auto parts makers and their employees, potentially dealing a blow to local economies across Japan.

It is just the latest of a number of safety or other violations revealed to have taken place at at least five of Japan's major automakers in recent years.

Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu shuts down Japanese factories due to bogus safety tests

The Japanese government is investigating reports the company faked safety test results on some car models for more than 30 years.

www.abc.net.au

This story started to come out in April 2023.

Daihatsu Cheated in Vehicle Crash Tests

Tokyo, April 28 (Jiji Press)—Daihatsu Motor Co. said Friday it has uncovered misconduct in its crash tests for four models for overseas markets, suspending shipments in 11 countries outside Japan, including Thailand and Mexico.

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

 

[farmerge]

This is a seriously big business scam. Apparently Daihatsu, a Toyota subsidiary, has been falsifying safety test on cars for over 30 years. They just made up results!!!.

They have have now stopped production of all their vehicles. The effects on the car industry will be very widespread. Could one see a forced recall and compensation of all sold vehicles ?

Daihatsu, Toyota's small car subsidiary, shuts down factories due to falsified safety tests​

Posted 1h ago1 hours ago
View attachment 167853
Daihatsu president Soichiro Okudaira has blamed pressure on workers to meet ambitious demands.(Reuters: Issei Kato)

Link copied


Daihatsu, a subsidiary of Japanese car maker Toyota, has shut down production lines at all four of its factories as the Japanese government investigates reports the company faked safety test results on some car models for more than 30 years.

Key points:​

• Daihatsu makes Hijet trucks and vans and Mira hatchbacks, small cars popular in Japan
• The company assembled about 870,000 vehicles at its factories in the 2022 fiscal year
• It will not say when production will resume, but local media says operations will be suspended through January

The shutdown came a week after the company announced it was suspending all vehicle shipments in and outside Japan after admitting to improper testing involving 64 models.

That led transport ministry officials to launch a deeper probe into problems that reportedly persisted for decades.
So far there have been no reports of accidents or deaths due to the falsified tests.

The stoppage is expected to affect thousands of auto parts makers and their employees, potentially dealing a blow to local economies across Japan.

It is just the latest of a number of safety or other violations revealed to have taken place at at least five of Japan's major automakers in recent years.

Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu shuts down Japanese factories due to bogus safety tests

The Japanese government is investigating reports the company faked safety test results on some car models for more than 30 years.

www.abc.net.au

This story started to come out in April 2023.

Daihatsu Cheated in Vehicle Crash Tests

Tokyo, April 28 (Jiji Press)—Daihatsu Motor Co. said Friday it has uncovered misconduct in its crash tests for four models for overseas markets, suspending shipments in 11 countries outside Japan, including Thailand and Mexico.

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

In old japan this would have resulted in hari karri not sure of the spelling.
Beggers belief 30 years where's the watch dog been. Obviously either asleep or receiving with the left hand.

 

[basilio]

A number of twists to new phishng scam. Well worth reading in full IMO. A guy is phished with the fake parcel delivery message. When he gets hooked he discovers a local tobacconist is trying to rip him off for $2700. So the money isn't being flicked off o/s. Its still in a local account.

So his bank should just take action ? If only they were that honest.

Hours after falling for a phishing scam, Jonathan could only watch as fraudsters spent thousands on tobacco products​

By Widia Jalal
Posted 38m ago38 minutes ago

Jonathan Garner believes authorities should play a more proactive role in stamping out scams.(Supplied)

Link copied


Horticulturalist Jonathan Garner is always on the lookout for deliveries to keep his small business running smoothly.
But one text message purporting to be from Australia Post sent him down a spiral of confusion and stress for weeks.
It resulted in a loss of about $2,700 across multiple identical transactions to another local business – all in one day.

Jonathan's bank transactions show exactly where scammers used his details. But neither his bank nor the police offered help

Hours after replying to a message he thought was from Australia Post, fraudsters were spending his money at a local store. He says his experience with the bank and police left him feeling defeated.

www.abc.net.au

 

[basilio]

After reading that story in detail it strikes me that the police don't have the heart or the chops to seriously monitor/chase internet scams. Given how prevalent and costly these scams are I wonder why there isn't a designated section of the police force set up to at least record details of these crimes ? There could be a training course for interested officers and they become the go to person to take down and forward details of such scams.

 

[basilio]

This story is scary. 2.1 million customers of Iconic are in serious trouble.

And if that is the case I suggest The Iconic business itself could be in very serious trouble. How long can it keep operating if a mounting tide of customers are scammed ? How long will customers keep using their platform in the current situation ? How long will the banks or the government allow such a compromised business to continue ?

Customers of The Iconic at risk of being defrauded due to lack of payment verification measures​

By business reporter Kate Ainsworth
Posted 6h ago6 hours ago

The Iconic allows customers to save their card details to their accounts, but don't need them to be verified before placing an order.(Pixabay)

Link copied


Online retailer The Iconic has failed to provide basic security measures to verify its customers' payment details when placing an order, putting its 2.1 million customers at risk of being defrauded, cybersecurity experts say.

Key points:​

• The Iconic confirmed it does not require customers to verify their stored payment details, including CVC numbers, before they place an order
• A cybersecurity expert says customers should be authorising their details to prevent being defrauded
• It comes after some customers had their accounts compromised, resulting in fraudulent orders made worth hundreds of dollars

On Tuesday, The Iconic confirmed it had seen an increase in customer accounts being accessed by unauthorised users, resulting in fraudulent orders being made and leaving some customers thousands of dollars out of pocket.

The retailer said it had not suffered a data breach, but affected customers had been victims of a cyber attack known as "credential stuffing", where their email address and password used for their account with The Iconic matches accounts on other websites that have been accessed by hackers.

A spokesperson for the company told the ABC that unauthorised third parties who access customers' accounts could not gain access to their card details.

A basic security failure from The Iconic has put millions of its customers at risk of being defrauded

Online retailer The Iconic has failed to provide basic security measures to verify its customers' payment details when placing an order, putting its 2.1 million customers at risk of being defrauded, cybersecurity experts say

www.abc.net.au

 

[basilio]

I wonder if any other businesses are operating such compromised payment systems as The Iconic ?

Who (apart from scammers ) are checking this out ?

 

[farmerge]

I wonder if any other businesses are operating such compromised payment systems as The Iconic ?

Who (apart from scammers ) are checking this out ?

Probably only the scammers that is why they are being so successful at present.

 

[farmerge]

Had a couple of scams the last couple of days.
The one from Africa re-appeared today.
Poor sod has $150,000,000,000, he can't get out of the country and would dearly love my bank ccount to depsoit this massive sum into it. what a f/wit.

The other is a crypto one advising me that since I was scammed out of a substantial amount of money sometime ago, it now has been released and ready to be deposited into my bank account.
Wow didn't realise I had lost any coin to crypto as I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole
I guess these morons will suck in a percentage of dumb a**ses

 

[farmerge]

Once again I am being sent text messages in the early hours of when i choose to sleep.

The old favourite has reappeared, claiming that my road toll bill is overdue, and I will suffer dire consequences if I don't respond via their b/s e-mail.
Dream on with that one.

Got a newie at 1am this morning saying our Medicare account service has been suspended and I need to contact them with yet another b/s email.
Once again dream on.

If they rang during daylight hours and if I was in a good mood, I might entertain myself by leading them up the garden path.

 

[farmerge]

Just crawled into bed at 12.30 am Thursday morning after doing a 6 hour patrolling stint at the recent Red Hill fire site. About to drift off and the ph started ringing. Up like a shot thinking the worst. Turns out that the scum bag who/it/or whatever keeps sending me an e-mail about a road toll bill that is way past due payment.
Then later this morning got one from someone who's English isn't that flash wanting my banking details so they could deposit my terrific profit from my Bitcoin investment. Well dream on that one too.
Final one to date is from Origin Energy advising that I am the lucky recipient of $460 plus. Just click on the link, and this lovely moolah is all yours.
I guess they will sucker in a percentage, to part with their bank details and then they will wonder how their accounts were drained dry.

 

[basilio]

Came across this excellent tutorial/quiz on the Cyber scam website on how to pick a scam. Well worth checking out. Makes some excellent points.

https://www.cyber.gov.au/protect-yourself/spotting-scams#sts%E2%80%93container

 

[basilio]

Another scary story on scammers in Australia. Interesting twist here is the use of an Australian shell company to act as the bridge between taking money off the mark and forwarding it overseas. Also highlights how difficult it is to successfully prosecute people involved.

The other takeaway is that personal efforts by people who have been scammed to chase the bastards and strong publicity via ABC or whoever are critical in raising these issues. The banks, the police and ASIC need string prodding.

After Jo lost $500k through an Australian company, she thought it would be easy to track down. She was wrong

Legitimately registered Australian companies are being used to shift scam victims' money overseas and it's proving a challenge for authorities trying to figure out who's responsible.

www.abc.net.au

 

[sptrawler]

Another scary story of why a scam, is the banks fault, or a reason why people should not be allowed to handle money.

Dianna messaged Paul out of the blue. What looked like happiness cost him nearly $500k

When Paul called ING with a question about his cryptocurrency investment, the bank's scam team was alerted. Now, after losing nearly $500,000 to a romance scam, Paul argues the bank could have stopped it.

www.abc.net.au

 

[farmerge]

Another scary story of why a scam, is the banks fault, or a reason why people should not be allowed to handle money.

Dianna messaged Paul out of the blue. What looked like happiness cost him nearly $500k

When Paul called ING with a question about his cryptocurrency investment, the bank's scam team was alerted. Now, after losing nearly $500,000 to a romance scam, Paul argues the bank could have stopped it.

www.abc.net.au

I've been getting a couple of consistent scams from somewhere in Africa I assume going by the names. The nits and bolts are dic*head has 150,000,000,000 shillings he wants out of the country and he is willing to give half. All I have to do is klick on the link and give by bank details.
I'm guessing it is Uganda, Anyway the fool can just keep on trying I suppose until he/she/it sucks someone in.

 

[SirRumpole]

Another scary story of why a scam, is the banks fault, or a reason why people should not be allowed to handle money.

Dianna messaged Paul out of the blue. What looked like happiness cost him nearly $500k

When Paul called ING with a question about his cryptocurrency investment, the bank's scam team was alerted. Now, after losing nearly $500,000 to a romance scam, Paul argues the bank could have stopped it.

www.abc.net.au

"He had just started a relationship with Dianna, a woman he had met online after she messaged him out of the blue."

Err umm, for a police officer he doesn't sound all that bright.