Hurricane-Related Scams

["US-CERT" <US-CERT () ncas us-cert gov>]

U.S. Department of Homeland Security US-CERT

National Cyber Awareness System:



Hurricane-Related Scams [ https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2017/09/08/Hurricane-Related-Scams ] 09/08/2017 
01:56 PM EDT 
Original release date: September 08, 2017

As the peak of the 2017 hurricane season approaches, US-CERT warns users to be watchful for various malicious cyber 
activity targeting both disaster victims and potential donors. Users should exercise caution when handling emails that 
relate to recent hurricanes, even if those emails appear to originate from trusted sources. Disaster-related phishing 
emails may trick users into sharing sensitive information. Such emails could also contain links or attachments 
directing users to malware-infected websites. In addition, users should be wary of social media pleas, calls, texts, or 
door-to-door solicitations relating to the recent hurricanes.

To avoid becoming a victim of fraudulent activity, users and administrators should consider taking the following 
preventive measures:


  * Review the information from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Wise Giving in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey [ 
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2017/08/wise-giving-wake-hurricane-harvey ]. 
  * Review information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Building a Digital Defense Against Charity Fraud [ 
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/portland/news/press-releases/fbi-tech-tuesday-building-a-digital-defense-against-charity-fraud
 ]. 
  * Use caution when opening email attachments, and do not click on links in unsolicited email messages. Refer to the 
US-CERT Security Tip Using Caution with Email Attachments [ https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-010 ]. 
  * Refer to US-CERT's Security Tip on Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks [ 
http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-014 ]. 
________________________________________________________________________

This product is provided subject to this Notification [ http://www.us-cert.gov/privacy/notification ] and this Privacy 
& Use [ http://www.us-cert.gov/privacy/ ] policy.

________________________________________________________________________

A copy of this publication is available at www.us-cert.gov [ https://www.us-cert.gov ]. If you need help or have 
questions, please send an email to info () us-cert gov. Do not reply to this message since this email was sent from a 
notification-only address that is not monitored. To ensure you receive future US-CERT products, please add US-CERT () 
ncas us-cert gov to your address book. 

OTHER RESOURCES: Contact Us [ http://www.us-cert.gov/contact-us/ ] | Security Publications [ 
http://www.us-cert.gov/security-publications ] | Alerts and Tips [ http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas ] | Related Resources [ 
http://www.us-cert.gov/related-resources ]  

STAY CONNECTED: Sign up for email updates [ http://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSUSCERT/subscriber/new ]