False registration for emergency aid has already claimed 6.7 million victims in the country.
Amid the country's coronavirus pandemic, several scammers are taking advantage of people's desperation and vulnerability to carry out scams, and this time the most famous is emergency aid.
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The team at PSafe's specialized digital security laboratory, also known as dfndr lab, has already identified a fake website for registering for the R$ 600.00 aid.
"To make the attack more credible, some scams take advantage of real actions that large companies and the government are taking to combat the Coronavirus, such as donating hand sanitizer and paying benefits to the population," said Emilio Simoni, director of dfndr lab.
In fact, just to give you an idea, since March, around 6.7 million people have shared and accessed this scam.
Fake apps
After the announcement of the Caixa Econômica Federal emergency aid application aimed at registering informal workers and MEIs, criminals developed dozens of fake applications and made them available.
"Several fake apps have appeared overnight. Since the Caixa app is new and just launched, when users search, many fake apps appear first because they've already been downloaded and accessed so much," said Emilio Simoni.
Typically, these links are sent via WhatsApp and, upon clicking, the person has to answer some questions, and is even encouraged to share the link with their contacts to access the R$ 600.00 emergency aid.
Therefore, as a result, this ends up further increasing the circulation of the fake application.
In many cases, the victim provides personal data, which ends up causing financial loss, such as theft of social media passwords, email, and even the installation of malicious applications on the cell phone.
In addition to these factors, scammers can still profit from viewing ads.
Tips to avoid falling for scams
Do not click on unknown links
Avoid clicking on links that offer prizes, benefits, or gifts, as these are often scams.
If it’s “too good”, be suspicious.
Always be wary of sensationalist information or offers that seem “too good.”
This is because, generally, they are also scams that aim to steal data.
Check the information
Checking the information is essential, so we recommend visiting official websites, such as the Ministry of Economy, to ensure you're downloading the correct app.
Do not share
Do not share any message or link before checking whether it is trustworthy or not.
How do I download the official emergency aid app?
Emilio Simoni issued a warning to users and anyone wishing to access the registration portal: “It is important to note that Brazilian government websites end in 'gov.br'.
To use the application, simply download it according to your cell phone's operating system, Android or IOS.
