Online culprits utilizing the internet to sign up for psychologists and various other experts
In a concerning development, specialists providing online consultations are being targeted by fraudsters who are stealing money and personal data during video conferencing sessions. Psychologists, doctors, tutors, educators, and lawyers have reported cases of fraud, with one clinical psychologist, Ilya Gimpel, reporting incidents as early as July 6.
The fraudulent activities unfold in stages. A client schedules a consultation, shares concerns, and then claims that video conferencing links aren't working. The fraudster provides a phishing link for the call, hoping to trick the specialist into providing sensitive information or access to their accounts.
In some cases, the fraudsters have been known to invite people to meetings of interest and masterclasses, only to steal data and money once the session begins. Victims who fall for the scam log in, provide their data, and grant access to the wallets linked to their accounts.
To protect themselves from such attacks, online consultants are advised to exercise caution with links and attachments, avoid clicking on any unsolicited or suspicious links shared during video calls or follow-up emails. Phishing often uses slight URL differences or spoofed email addresses to trick users.
Before joining a video conference, it's essential to independently verify the meeting link and host identity by contacting the organizer through a known, trusted channel rather than using links or contact details provided in a suspicious message.
Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) on video conferencing accounts is also recommended, preferably using app-based or hardware token methods rather than SMS-based MFA, which provides stronger protection against account compromise.
Using reliable browsers such as Google Chrome or Firefox for accessing webinars or video conferences is also advisable to avoid compatibility issues and ensure use of the latest security patches.
Fraudsters often pressure victims to act quickly. Therefore, it's important to be wary of urgent requests and take time to verify any such requests received during or after video sessions.
Regularly checking accounts for suspicious logins or changes and enabling notifications for unusual activities is also crucial. Continuous learning to identify fraud patterns such as spoofed email addresses, fake URLs, or social engineering tactics is essential for staying protected.
Joining fraud awareness webinars designed for frontline personnel can help stay updated on emerging threats. By combining vigilance, verification, strong authentication, and ongoing fraud education, online consultants can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to phishing scams and other frauds in video conferencing sessions.
Recently, residents of the Krasnodar region have also been deceived through flower deliveries, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance in all online interactions. Stay safe and secure, and remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Poor cybersecurity practices in video conferencing sessions can lead to the theft of sensitive information or money, as fraudsters often use phishing links, fake accounts, or urgent requests to trick online consultants.
- To minimize the risk of falling victim to such scams, it is recommended to independently verify meeting links, avoid clicking on unsolicited links, enable multi-factor authentication, use reliable browsers, and stay updated on fraud patterns through continuous learning and fraud awareness webinars.
