Increase in Phishing Scams Hits Businesses in the Town of Royalton

The Town of Royalton, N.Y. is facing a rising number of phishing scams according to a study from the Better Business Bureau. The study shows that phishing scams hit a record high last year and are expected to continue to increase. Kat Schmieder from the BBB of Upstate New York stated that the organization received 9,288 scam reports in 2023, nearly double the amount from the previous year.

One local company, Performance Manufacturing Corporation, fell victim to a phishing scam where they received invoices for parts they never ordered. The invoices claimed the parts were ordered over the phone, but the company had no record of such conversations. As a result, they lost $1,400 before realizing the scam and have since changed their invoice policy.

The rise in scams is attributed to advancements in AI technology, making it easier for scammers to impersonate companies over the phone, in emails, or through text messages. Since 2021, there have been over 23,000 reported phishing scams, occurring in various forms including phishing, vishing, smishing, and malware scams.

Phishing scams involve malicious links and documents sent via email from scammers pretending to be reputable companies. Vishing scams occur over the phone, with scammers often posing as law enforcement or government officials. Smishing scams involve text messages attempting to get recipients to click on a link related to a false order or subscription. Malware scams can manifest as pop-ups on computers, tricking users into initiating fake tech support.

To protect themselves from falling victim to phishing scams, the BBB advises individuals to avoid clicking on unfamiliar links or pop-ups and to ignore any suspicious calls, texts, or emails. Awareness and vigilance are key in preventing further financial losses and personal data breaches.