---- Here’s How:
Imagine receiving a frantic call from law enforcement saying someone’s life is in danger—they need critical information fast to save them. Now, picture hackers pretending to be those officers, bypassing legal checks to steal private data. That’s exactly what’s happening, and the FBI is sounding the alarm.
Here’s the scam: Cybercriminals hack into government or police email accounts, then send fake "emergency data requests" to major tech companies like Apple, Meta, Google, and Snap. These requests, claiming life-threatening emergencies, push companies to hand over sensitive user details like email addresses, phone numbers, and usernames—no questions asked.
The trick works because in real emergencies, companies often skip the usual legal protocols to act quickly. Hackers exploit this loophole, pretending to be in a rush to save lives, while secretly stealing your data.
Since 2021, these fake requests have been on the rise, with a surge in 2023-2024. Notorious hacker groups like Recursion Team and Lapsus$ have been behind many of these attacks. Once they get the data, they misuse it for harassment, doxing, and even financial fraud.
The FBI is urging both law enforcement and tech companies to step up their defenses. Government agencies are advised to secure their email systems with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, while tech companies need to carefully verify emergency data requests before sharing any user information.
The bottom line: Be aware of how your data could be at risk, and trust that even tech giants aren’t immune to clever scams. Stay informed, and as always—stay safe.
Comments
Post a Comment