Keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats, newly discovered vulnerabilities, data breach information, and emerging trends. Delivered daily or weekly right to your email inbox.
Sponsored By
FBI Alerts To Rise In Extortion Email SchemesFBI Alerts To Rise In Extortion Email Schemes
Fraudsters threaten to release details of high-profile breaches unless paid 2 to 5 bitcoins, says intelligence agency.
Dark Reading Staff
June 3, 2016
1 Min Read
The FBI has issued an announcement alerting citizens to a rise in extortion email schemes related to recent high-profile data thefts, stating the message is sent as soon as breach of an individual’s data is reported.
The agency says its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is receiving complaints about emails which threaten release of personal information unless a ransom is paid within a given deadline. The amount demanded ranges between 2 to 5 bitcoins to be sent to a given address.
In examples provided by the FBI, miscreants have threatened to forward the individual’s profile details, login activity, and credit card transactions to family and friends and also release them on Facebook. The Bureau believes there are likely multiple attackers involved.
The agency advised against paying the ransom and has said extortion emails should be reported.
Read the full announcement here.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like
More Insights
Webinars
Hacking Your Digital Identity: How Cybercriminals Can and Will Get Around Your Authentication Methods
Oct 26, 2023Modern Supply Chain Security: Integrated, Interconnected, and Context-Driven
Nov 06, 2023How to Combat the Latest Cloud Security Threats
Nov 06, 2023Reducing Cyber Risk in Enterprise Email Systems: It's Not Just Spam and Phishing
Nov 01, 2023SecOps & DevSecOps in the Cloud
Nov 06, 2023
