One of the things I notice most when I’m out visiting clients is how often the same questions tend to come up around the same time. Currently, the common topic is online scams.
Online scams are becoming more convincing
Over the past few weeks, one of the big themes has been online scams. Particularly some scam emails, text messages and phone calls are so accurate, they look completely legitimate. While some fakes are are still easy to spot, the use of AI-generated voices and messages that can mimic real companies or even real people, makes many very convincing.
Poor spelling, bad grammar and awkward wording used to be reliable signs of a scam but AI has changed all that. Many scam messages are now written so well that they look every bit as professional as the genuine ones. AI can even imitate someone’s voice or create convincing photos and videos, so simply seeing a familiar face or hearing a familiar voice is no longer proof that a request is genuine.
The secret family code word
One simple idea that some families are now using is to agree on a secret family code word. If someone receives an unexpected call from a distressed “family member” claiming to be in trouble and urgently needing money, asking for that code word can quickly reveal whether the caller is genuine. It’s a simple and low-tech way to outsmart very high-tech scams.
Whether it’s an email, text message or phone call, if you’re being pressured into acting immediately, that’s usually the biggest clue that something isn’t right. The safest approach is still the simplest one: stop for a moment and think. If it is unexpected and you’re being asked to act quickly, pay money or confirm personal details, verify it first. Don’t rely on links provided to you, find known contact methods yourself and check them.
I know this approach works because clients have told me recently they were halfway through falling for a scam when something I’d previously mentioned popped into their heads. They stopped, paused to think, took another look and thankfully realised something wasn’t right before they lost any money.
If you’re ever unsure about something like this, feel free to check with me before acting on it. I’d much rather spend two minutes checking something than see someone lose money to a scam.
Tip: For emails and text messages, simply forwarding the original message is usually much more helpful than sending a screenshot.
For futher reading about current online scams, a great place to start is the Australian Federal Government’s ScamWatch website.
Technology has changed and so has my work
While I was thinking about this, I also realised that some people may not be aware of how much the work I do has broadened over time. It’s no longer just computer repairs or Windows issues that I deal with. Technology has changed enormously over the years and naturally the work I do has changed with it. Most of the jobs I do now involve pretty much anything in the home that connects to the internet or stores your data in some way.
That can include things like setting up new computers or laptops, transferring files and photos, helping with email and passwords, getting printers working properly, improving Wi-Fi coverage, setting up smart TVs and streaming services, connecting phones and tablets and, of course, helping with general troubleshooting when things stop behaving as expected.
In short, if it’s part of your home technology setup, there’s a good chance I can help with it. If you’re ever unsure whether something falls within what I do, just ask. I’m happy to answer a quick question if it will help you avoid struggling on your own.
I hope you found the info above useful. I’ll send through the next update when there’s something else worth sharing from the field.
Regards,
Nathan Cope
Owner & Chief Geek
Geeks to the Rescue