…internet scams.
But for scam read theft!
I am always trying to raise the awareness of any active online criminal activity associated with any human event or disaster. This week’s candidate is the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB).
Since the collapse, even though I am not a SVB customer or looking for finance, I have received a number of legitimate emails enquiring whether my company needs a loan. We can all expect scams to follow, as this situation is particularly attractive to the threat actors because:
- It involves large sums of money.
- Businesses are in crisis either caught up in the collapse or looking for desperate finance because the SVB is no longer there.
- Organisations need money urgently.
- With the collapse comes a major disruption of the ways to communicate with the failed bank – so customers are hungry for news.
Add to this that many of the impacted customers and potential customers who are now looking for new sources of finance are tech companies with tech savvy staff, who would be happy to use an online lender – then this could be the perfect storm for the threat actors.
Silicon Valley Bank: Global bank stocks slump despite Biden reassurances – BBC News
Your takeaway from this – social engineering is everywhere just be aware.
UPDATE 16 March 2023
It has started:
The thefts have started – The SVB collapse… – Smart Thinking Solutions
Clive Catton MSc (Cyber Security) – by-line and other articles
Further Reading
Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal 2023 | Donate Now | DEC – this a co-operation between 15 UK charities to coordinate their responses to any major human disaster – it is a safe way to donate.
Silicon Valley Bank: Lessons learned from failed ‘tech bank’ – BBC News
