IC3 Issues Alert on Increase in W-2 Phishing Campaigns

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert on the increase in W-2-related phishing campaigns. Fraudsters often use tax-related phishing emails to get victims to provide personally identifiable information, click on a malicious link, or pay a ransom. NCCIC/US-CERT encourages...

IC3 Warns of Impersonation Scams

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has released an alert on impersonation scams. In these schemes, scammers send emails impersonating IC3 to trick recipients into providing personally identifiable information or downloading malicious files. Users should use caution when reviewing unsolicited...

IC3 Issues Alert on DDoS Attacks

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert on distributed denial-of-service DDoS-for-hire services advertised on criminal forums and marketplaces. Using DDoS attacks to prevent legitimate users from accessing websites or information can lead to serious consequences. US-CERT...

IC3 Issues Alert on IoT Devices

In conjunction with National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert to individuals and businesses about the security risks involved with the Internet of Things IoT. IoT refers to the emerging network of devices e.g., smart TVs, home automation...

IC3 Issues Alert on Disaster-Related Fraud

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has released an announcement on fraudulent cyber activity related to natural disasters. IC3 reports that scammers have recently used email and social-networking sites to solicit money from disaster victims with scams on false temporary housing and job...

IC3 Releases Alert on Gift Card Scams

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has released an alert warning consumers of music gift card scams. This type of scam targets victims, gains their confidence, and tricks them into providing gift card information. To stay safer online, review the IC3 alert on Online Scammers Require Payment...

IC3 Issues Internet Crime Report for 2016

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has released its 2016 Internet Crime Report, describing the numbers and types of cyber crimes reported to IC3. Business Email Compromise BEC, ransomware attacks, tech support fraud, and extortion are all common schemes affecting people in the U.S. and aroun...

Multiple Ransomware Infections Reported

US-CERT has received multiple reports of WannaCry ransomware infections in many countries around the world. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that infects a computer and restricts users’ access to it until a ransom is paid to unlock it. Individuals and organizations are discouraged from...

IC3 Warns of Increase in BEC/EAC Schemes

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert describing a growing number of scams targeting businesses working with foreign suppliers or businesses that regularly perform wire transfer payments. These sophisticated scams are classified as business email compromise BEC or email...

FBI Encouraging Ransomware Victims To Report Infections

The Federal Bureau of Investigation this week urged victims of ransomware to report infections to federal law enforcement in hopes of better understanding the threat. The agency, in tandem with the Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3, issued a public service announcement on Thursday asking...

IC3 Warns of Extortion Email Schemes

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert on extortion schemes that relate to recent high-profile data thefts. Fraudsters often use the news release of high-profile data breaches to scare victims into clicking on a link or paying a ransom. US-CERT encourages users and...

IC3 Warns That Vehicles Are Increasingly Vulnerable to Remote Exploits

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert warning that modern motor vehicles are increasingly vulnerable to remote attacks. Vehicle owners should take precautions in order to minimize cybersecurity risks to their vehicles. Users are encouraged to review the IC3 Alert for details...

IC3 Warns of Cyber Attacks Focused on Law Enforcement and Public Officials

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert warning that law enforcement personnel and public officials may be at an increased risk of cyber attacks. In addition to doxing the act of gathering and publishing individuals' personal information without permission, threat actors have...

IC3 Releases Alert on Microchip-Enabled Credit Cards

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert to consumers and merchants about the security risks involved with EMV Cards. An EMV card is a credit or debit card with a microchip that helps protect cardholder data. However, EMV cards may still be vulnerable to exploitation. US-CERT...

IC3 Issues Alert on DDoS Extortion Campaigns

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert to U.S. businesses about a rise in extortion campaigns. In a typical incident, a business receives an e-mail threatening a Distributed Denial of Service DDoS attack to its website unless it pays a ransom. Businesses are warned against...

IC3 Issues Alert on CryptoWall Ransomware

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert warning that U.S. individuals and businesses are still at risk of CryptoWall ransomware fraud. Scam operators use ransomware—a type of malicious software—to infect a device and restrict access until a ransom fee is paid­­. Individuals an...

IC3 Issues Internet Crime Report for 2014

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has released its Internet Crime Report for 2014, indicating that scams relating to social media—including doxing, click-jacking, and pharming—have increased substantially over the past five years. US-CERT encourages users to review the IC3 Alert for details...

IC3 Warns of Cyber Attacks Focused on Law Enforcement and Public Officials

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert warning that law enforcement personnel and public officials may be at an increased risk of cyber attacks. Doxing—the act of gathering and publishing individuals’ personal information without permission—has been observed. Hacking...

IC3 Issues Alert for Fake Government Websites

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has released an alert that warns consumers of fraudulent government-services websites that mimic legitimate ones. Scam operators lure consumers to these fraudulent websites in order to steal their personal identifiable information PII and collect fees for...

IC3 Releases Alert on Web Site Defacements

The Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 has issued an alert addressing recently perpetrated Web site defacements. The defacements advertise themselves as associated with the Islamic State in the Levant ISIL a.k.a. Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams ISIS. However, FBI assesses that the perpetrator...