Page 34 - Free State Spring 2022 - June FINAL

INDUSTRY NEWS

Watch for bank scams via email!

March 29, 2022
Scams – Spam, Phishing, Spoofing and Pharming
It has come to my attention this week that several companies
Cyber criminals exploit people and steal confidential and sensitive
in our industry have fallen victim to so-called email spoofing. information through various email-based strategies. Beware of the
Whether or not this has to do with certain geopolitical events following: The finest Taxus and Boxwood in the industry
taking place abroad is anyone’s guess. Certainly, spring is Spam is unsolicited email, instant messages, or social media
our busiest time, and scam artists may know you and your messages. These messages are fairly easy to spot and can be and so much more.
damaging if you open or respond.
staff will be harried and frantic and won’t take the time to
Phishing is an email sent from an Internet criminal disguised as an
cautiously review the emails you receive. But what could be a email from a legitimate, trustworthy source. The message is meant
worst time for a malicious computer attack than the height to lure you into revealing sensitive or confidential information.
of spring? Spear Phishing occurs when criminals obtain information about you
from websites or social networking sites, and customize a phishing
Here’s how this particular scam works: scheme to you.
You receive a legit-looking email from a recognized industry Spoofing describes a criminal who impersonates another individual
or organization, with the intent to gather personal or business
supplier, informing you that their bank account information
information.
has recently changed, and that any future ACH payments or
Pharming is a malicious website that resembles a legitimate website,
wires should be made with this new bank information. used to gather usernames and passwords.
Except … the supplier’s bank information HASN’T changed. Magic Carpet Spirea
Instead, the bank information is that of the spoofer, who was heard of at least one notable industry company that got hit Blue Princess Holly
posing as the supplier. Unfortunately, by the time the payer recently. In these cases, the bad guys lock your computer
(and the unknowing supplier) find out, the money transfer system and threaten to destroy all your files unless you pay a
has happened too long ago to get the money back or the ransom—again, never a good thing, but especially bad in the
criminal has already closed the bank account.
middle of spring.
What should you do when you or someone in your company Computer threats like these are why you need to train your
receives such an email? First of all, be suspicious of any email team to recognize spoofing and phishing schemes and
asking for financial or personal information like this! Few if remind them to be extra diligent. Plus, you need hack-proof
any companies would tell you about bank account changes backups! If you don’t know where to get such training Hortense Hydrangea
via email; they would use old-fashioned snail mail instead, and systems, start with your IT/computer supplier. In the
with official letterhead, company envelopes and a postmark meantime, here is some basic info from the Cybersecurity
from their city. Blue Arrow Juniper
Awareness Program at Texas Tech University: https://www.ttu.
If you do receive an email like this, and it looks legit but you edu/cybersecurity/lubbock/digital-life/digital-identity/scams- Redpointe Maple
aren’t sure, pick up the phone and call your supplier to ask if spam-phishing-spoofing-pharming.php
the banking change is real. And whatever you do, DO NOT
Chris Beytes
use the phone number in the email because that may be See
fake as well. Instead, go to the supplier’s website or your own Reprinted from the March 29 issue of Grower Talks’ Acres Online Availability
address book and call the number you find there. with permission from Chris Beytes Editor, GrowerTalks and Green List on our
Profit Magazine
While watching out for this specific scam, beware that website!
regular ransomware attacks have been on the rise, too—I’ve https://www.growertalks.com/Newsletters/View/?article=3775
FairviewEvergreen.com
7463 West Ridge Rd. P.O. Box 189 Fairview PA 16415 800.458.2234 e-mail: info@FairviewEvergreen.com
34 SPRING 2022 • Free State News