{"id":17572,"date":"2024-09-10T04:23:50","date_gmt":"2024-09-10T04:23:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cissar.com\/?p=17572"},"modified":"2024-09-10T04:23:50","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T04:23:50","slug":"the-mystery-behind-those-creepy-unknown-spam-calls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cissar.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/10\/the-mystery-behind-those-creepy-unknown-spam-calls\/","title":{"rendered":"The mystery behind those creepy ‘Unknown’ spam calls"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The mystery behind those creepy ‘Unknown’ spam calls<\/a><\/h4>\n

There’s a rise in more sophisticated targeted phone scams.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their attempts to steal your sensitive data. One particularly concerning trend is the rise of targeted phone scams, where callers possess just enough information to seem legitimate but are actually phishing<\/a> for more details to exploit.<\/p>\n

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Recently, we received an email from James in LA<\/a> detailing his unsettling experience with a series of suspicious phone calls. His story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting our personal information. Here’s what James shared with us:<\/p>\n

“I have received multiple random unknown calls (in the past two months), and they always start with the person calling me on the phone (listed as unknown) and providing my full name. Absolutely Correct. Then, ask if I am that \u2018name, in (insert city). Then, when I say no, you have the wrong guy, they provide a birthdate and ask if it is mine, which, of course, it is Not. Then, they politely apologize, say thank you, and hang up. At that point, you realize that they never told you who they are representing. Maybe I\u2019m paranoid, but it just seems strange.”<\/p>\n

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James’ experience is not unique. Many people across the country are reporting similar incidents, where callers seem to have a partial set of personal information and are attempting to verify or expand upon it. This tactic, known as “social engineering,” is a common method used by scammers to gain trust and extract valuable data.<\/p>\n

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GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS \u2014 SIGN UP FOR KURT\u2019S NEWSLETTER \u2014 THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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A woman talking on her cellphone.<\/span> (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Where scammers get their information<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The mystery behind these creepy ‘Unknown’ spam calls often begins with data breaches<\/u><\/a> or information leaks. Scammers obtain partial information from various sources, including public records, social media profiles or purchased data from the dark web<\/u><\/a>. They then use this incomplete data as a starting point for their phishing attempts, aiming to fill in the gaps and create a more complete profile of their targets.<\/p>\n

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A man talking on his cellphone.<\/span> (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

4.3 MILLION AMERICANS EXPOSED IN MASSIVE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT DATA BREACH<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Understanding the scammer’s playbook<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Let’s break down the tactics used in these calls:<\/p>\n

Partial Knowledge:<\/strong> The scammer starts with some correct information, like a full name and city. This creates an illusion of legitimacy and can catch you off guard. However, they might be phishing for<\/a> more details, like your birthdate.<\/p>\n

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Verification requests:<\/strong> By asking to confirm additional details like a birthdate, the scammer is attempting to gather more valuable personal information.<\/p>\n

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Vague identity:<\/strong> The caller never identifies themselves or their organization, making it difficult to verify their legitimacy or report them later.<\/p>\n

Polite disengagement:<\/strong> The quick, polite end to the call is designed to leave the recipient feeling that nothing suspicious has occurred, reducing the likelihood of immediate suspicion or action<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These tactics are carefully crafted to exploit human psychology. The initial correct information builds trust, the request for verification seems reasonable and the polite exit leaves the recipient with a positive final impression.<\/p>\n

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A man talking on his cellphone.<\/span> (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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WORLD\u2019S LARGEST STOLEN PASSWORD DATABASE UPLOADED TO CRIMINAL FORUM<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The dangers of information gathering<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You might wonder, “What harm can come from confirming my birthdate?” Unfortunately, in the wrong hands, even small pieces of information can be dangerous. Scammers can use these details to:<\/p>\n