Online Self-Scheduling; Exchange Server Hack; Tax Time Scams

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A major security flaw in Microsoft’s popular email software, Exchange, was used to infiltrate thousands of email servers last week. Please note that this security breach almost certainly does not affect any of our clients. It does not affect Microsoft 365 email servers or Gmail. It only affects companies that have on-premise Exchange servers (none of our clients), and may possibly affect your email vendor if they use Exchange. To be certain, you can check with your email vendor. Here’s a link to a CNN article that discusses the hack.

In this issue
1. Online Self-Scheduling Is A Hit!
2. Technical Tips/Notes
    Tax-Time Scam Alerts
     Fake Purchase Receipts and Fake Voicemail/Fax Notices

Online Self-Scheduling Now Available
Our online self-scheduling service has been well-received. For your convenience, you may now self-schedule your remote and in-person appointments online on our website www.lamorindatechnology.com. 

You can pick an appointment up to 14 days in advance. You may also reschedule or cancel appointments online with 24 hours notice. There’s even an app available for your smartphone or tablet that saves clicks.
Technical Tips/Notes

Tax-Time Scams To Be Aware Of
Scammers are using this season to trick their victims into giving them information to facilitate identity theft and financial crimes.
Here are a few tip sheets to help you stay safe.
1. https://bit.ly/3bWXhDB
2. https://bit.ly/3lsDaQZ
3. https://bit.ly/3qXqLWs 
4. https://bit.ly/2OKUqoG

Fake Purchase Receipt Emails
In this scam, the criminal sends you an email purchase receipt that looks like you bought something. There’s a number to call at the bottom of the email. If you call the number, you will be asked to “verify” yourself by providing your credit card and other information. If you fall for this, the criminals will use your information to buy things on your credit card.

Fake Voicemail and Fax Notification Emails
This scam involves an email supposedly notifying you that you have received a voicemail or fax, and an attachment to click to see the fax or listen to the voicemail. The attachment will be a virus-don’t click it.

Fake Message Delivery Emails
This scam involves an email notification that some of your email messages were delayed or unable to be delivered. There’s a button or link to click to see which messages had issues. The link will lead you to provide your email login credentials, and your email account will be hacked.

How To Protect Yourself From Email Scams
There are several easy ways to protect yourself from all of the above threats.
1. Don’t click on any links in the email-even if they look legitimate. Instead, open your web browser and type the address of the website yourself.
2. Don’t call the phone number listed in the email. Look up the number online or from a previous statement or receipt and dial it yourself.
3. Check to sender’s address. Many times (but not all), the sender’s address does not match the company. For example, a client recently received an email purportedly for a Norton security renewal. A quick check of the sender’s address showed the email was from someone at gmail.com, not norton.com.
4. Look for obvious spelling and grammar errors. Some scam emails are sent by non-native speakers, who don’t understand English spelling and grammar well. 

Betina, Ryan and Edward