Scammers Exploit California Wildfires, Posing as Fire Relief Services

Source: Hack Read

The recent California wildfires have not only devastated communities but have also become a lucrative event for cybercriminals. Exploiting the chaos and uncertainty surrounding the disaster, these malicious actors are employing sophisticated phishing tactics to take advantage of the situation.

Cybersecurity researchers at Veriti have identified numerous newly registered domains closely linked to the fires. These domains, such as “malibu-firecom” and “fire-reliefcom,” mimic legitimate services, luring unsuspecting victims with promises of fire evacuation assistance, recovery permits, and even fire coverage.

“These domains exhibit patterns typical of phishing campaigns. Some aim to mimic official services like fire evacuation assistance, while others target specific localities, such as Malibu and Pacific Palisades. Early indications suggest these sites are being prepared to host fraudulent activities, including phishing attacks, fake donation requests, and malicious downloads,” the Veriti Research team noted in the blog post.

As per their research, these domains are likely being used to host phishing emails and websites designed to steal personal information, such as login credentials and financial details. Hackers leverage social engineering techniques, creating a sense of urgency and fear to manipulate victims into clicking on fraudulent links or downloading malicious software.
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Read more: https://hackread.com/scammers-exploit-california-wildfires-fire-relief-services/