COVID-19 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE- Coronavirus Gives Opportunity for New Domestic Violence Tactics

The shooting incident yesterday involving the Seattle Police Department responding to a domestic violence call highlights the concerns that police and domestic violence survivor advocates have been voicing in recent weeks since the beginning of Stay at Home, Stay Healthy. A police spokesperson concluded that the incident “…appears to be the culmination of a very long and involved domestic violence felony assault that was ongoing throughout the afternoon.”

The Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/man-shot-by-seattle-police-during-domestic-violence-call/

This video, from the Battered Women’s Justice Project, goes through some potential ways that a domestic abuser can adapt to COVID-19-

https://www.bwjp.org/news/coercive-control-covid-19.html

Children and youth are also susceptible to abuse. Children are cutoff from mandatory reporters of child abuse, such as educators and healthcare workers since the Stay at Home order. The Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families encourages everyone to be on the look out for child abuse. For more information about child abuse check out this link,

https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/news/continue-report-child-abuse-and-neglect

There is help for domestic violence and child abuse go to, even through the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the following organizations,

Local and State Organizations-

Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County:

https://dvs-snoco.org/

King County-

https://kingcounty.gov/how-do-i/domestic-violence.aspx

LifeWire (for east and north King County):

https://www.lifewire.org/

Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

https://wscadv.org/

National Organizations-

National Domestic Violence Hotline:

https://www.thehotline.org/



Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN):

https://www.rainn.org/





Edmonds Police Department:

https://twitter.com/EdmondsPolice/status/1255951592953483264?s=20

COVID-19 SCAMS- Washington State Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission Warns Scammers

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are clamping down on fraudsters selling fake cures and vaccines for COVID-19 and fake schemes to make a buck during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office sent a letter to the owner of North Coast Biologics, Johnny T. Stine, to stop making false or unsupported claims about a supposed vaccine for COVID-19.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved a vaccine yet. Estimates for an approved vaccine remain at a year to a year and half.  

If North Coast Biologics does not stop making its misrepresentations, the AGO can ask a court for a judgement that can include a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per individual violation.

At the federal level, the Federal Trade Commission has sent out letters to 10 multi-level marketing companies (MLM) “…to remove and address claims that they or their participants are making about their products’ ability to treat or prevent coronavirus disease or about the earnings people who have recently lost income can make, or both.”

Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of consumer Protection said, “During this health and economic crisis, we are on the lookout for false income claims for work-at-home opportunities, in addition to spurious health claims that products can treat or prevent COVID-19.”

This is in addition to letters that the FTC recently sent out to other companies making similar unsubstantiated claims.

The recipients have 48 hours to tell the FTC about the specific actions that they have taken to address the agency’s concerns.

The AGO warns that scammers are sending text and emails offering products to prevent getting the virus or offering cash or a work from home scheme for workers recently laid off. In reality, the scammers are looking for personal information or to install malware that can collect personal information or install ransomware.

For more information about the AGO and FTC actions and tips to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a COVID-19 scam, checkout the following links,



Washington State Attorney General’s Office:

https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-sends-cease-and-desist-letter-seattle-business-selling-covid-19



Federal Trade Commission:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/04/ftc-sends-warning-letters-multi-level-marketers-regarding-health



https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/04/thrive-supplement-marketer-agrees-preliminary-order-barring-him



https://twitter.com/FTC/status/1255225103324938240

usa.gov:

https://www.usa.gov/common-scams-frauds#item-214623

COVID-19 UPDATE- Scams and Mail Theft

Scams. Two local police agencies report that they are receiving reports of specific scams targeting local citizens.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office reports two scams,

Scammers are calling and telling victims that their old emails and/or passwords have been allegedly identified and threatening to publish information unless victims email them their bank account information for payment.

“A “Sgt. Glass” who claims to be associated with our agency is calling victims saying they need to report to the courthouse for a DNA sample at a specified time. We anticipate this scammer will then follow up the next day and demand the victim pay money to have a fine or warrant lifted for missing their appointment.

If you receive a call similar to these, hang up immediately.”

The Edmonds Police Department (EPD) reports,

“EPD has handled several reports where victims receive an email containing an actual password they have used. The #scam typically demands #bitcoin payment or they will release video of the victim captured via their webcam.

DO NOT click any links or respond to the email!

DO NOT click on ANY LINKS from unsolicited emails that want personal information of any type or need you to take URGENT action!

Call 425-407-3999 if you are concerned you may have been scammed.”

Remember, scammers are on overdrive to take advantage of our anxiety during this COVID-19 crisis. For information on scams check out the following web site,

AARP Fraud Watch Network:

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/?migration=rdrct

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.facebook.com/SnoCoSheriff/photos/a.318645198209560/3853262221414489/?type=3&theater

Edmonds PD:

https://www.facebook.com/EdmondsPoliceDepartment/

Mail theft. The Edmonds Police Department reports an increase in mail thefts. The Kirkland and Redmond Police Departments, in King County, also have reported an increase in mail thefts in their cities.

With stimulus checks being distributed now, people who expect to receive a physical check, not an electronic funds transfer directly into their bank account, should probably pick up their mail as soon after it is delivered as possible. Mail thieves are probably on an increased lookout for these checks to steal.


Redmond PD recommends that everyone sign up for the Postal Service’s Informed Delivery service for a heads up on what to expect in your mail-

https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action.

Also, you can check with the IRS on the status of your stimulus at this link- https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments.

Edmonds PD:

https://www.facebook.com/EdmondsPoliceDepartment/photos/a.459643557549686/1431633980350634/?type=3&theater

Redmond PD:

https://twitter.com/RedmondWaPD/status/1254784333564440578?s=20

KIRO TV:

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/thieves-targeting-mailboxes-looking-stimulus-checks-police-say/3JVE4DM3QJF6VH4FKDP5AAOEHY/

LYNNWWOD- Crimes Against Vulnerable Adults

The Lynnwood Police Department posted the following on its Facebook page:

We can’t say whether or not it’s related to people being isolated in their homes and interacting only with those they live with or having very little interaction at all outside of phone calls and social media, but we have seen a significant uptick in crimes against vulnerable adults.

These crimes primarily consist of telephone or online financial scams as well as those trusted to manage money for a vulnerable adult misusing that money.

Sadly, though, there are also instances of mental and physical abuse. It can be a heartbreaking situation.

A vulnerable adult is anyone who:

— is 60 or older and cannot care for him or herself

— has a developmental disability

— is admitted to a facility

— is receiving home health or hospice services

If you know someone who fits this definition and is the victim of any kind of abuse, financial or otherwise, please report it!

Here’s a link to the state’s Adult Protective Services website if you’d like more information: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/…/home-a…/adult-abuse-and-prevention

Lynnwood PD:

https://www.facebook.com/LynnwoodPolice/

PHONE SCAMS- It can happen to you!

Lately, when I post a warning about the latest scam or twist in a scam, inevitably, someone will comment that they do not understand how some people can fall for something so obvious.

But a tale told by Brian Krebs of Krebs on Security shows that it can happen to anybody. He tells a story about a cyber-security savvy technology worker who got fooled into giving personal information. The scammers used a complicated but not so high-tech approach to get what they wanted. They used social engineering by being nice, claiming to be helpful and from his bank. They also were patient, and not pushy. As a result, our worker was out more than $10,000.

Bottom line is that hanging up, looking up, and calling back can save you a lot of trouble, even if you are a savvy security professional.

To get the full story, read the article at this link,

Krebs on Security:

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/04/when-in-doubt-hang-up-look-up-call-back/

COVID-19 PHISHING SCAM- Trickbot

As some people have migrated to working from home in response to COVID-19, cyber criminals have been targeting them for their personal information and for the proprietary information of the companies that they work for.

The cyber criminals are using a piece of malware called Trickbot to harvest this information. Trickbot originally started out collecting banking information, but has been expanded to keylogging, ransomware, and other functions.

The Microsoft Security Intelligence team has warned that it has seen hundreds of emails purporting to be related to COVID-19 medical advice and testing. The emails contained attachments that had the ability to install Trickbot onto a computer. Other reports said that the emails claimed to be from volunteer and humanitarian groups offering COVID-19 testing or more information about the virus by downloading an attached document.

Other phishing strategies have included sending a text message that says, “Your phone has been monitored as being near a phone of someone who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.” The text invites you to click a link to get more information. 

Here is a picture of a phishing email intercepted by Microsoft:

Cyber security professionals as well as government agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI warn that organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control do not send unsolicited emails to the average citizen.

Also, cyber security professionals are especially concerned about employees working from home using the internet. They do not want company secrets to be compromised nor do they want employees’ personal information stolen by cyber criminals. They recommend,

·         Use multifactor identification whenever possible.

·         Do not use devices with access to your business network for personal use.

KIRO TV:

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/microsoft-hackers-targeting-people-working-home/OQPVIRG66JF5LA4EGUIXYQ6BGE/

Microsoft:

https://twitter.com/Microsoft/status/1248713417655037955

https://twitter.com/MsftSecIntel/status/1251181180281450498

ZDNet:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/trickbot-malware-is-using-these-unique-macro-laced-document-attachments-with-a-coronavirus-theme/

Malwarebytes Labs:

https://blog.malwarebytes.com/detections/trojan-trickbot/

COVID-19 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE- Stay at Home Order Can Increase Danger for Domestic Violence

With the Stay at Home order, concern has increased by anti-domestic violence advocates that DV survivors are at a higher risk. The requirement to stay at home puts the survivor in the same home as their abuser. As a result, the abuser has more opportunity to exert their power and control.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, abusers can leverage the coronavirus outbreak against their victims in the following ways:

·         Abusive partners may withhold necessary items, such as hand sanitizer or disinfectants.

·         Abusive partners may share misinformation about the pandemic to control or frighten survivors, or to prevent them from seeking appropriate medical attention if they have symptoms.

·         Abusive partners may withhold insurance cards, threaten to cancel insurance, or prevent survivors from seeking medical attention if they need it.

·         Programs that serve survivors may be significantly impacted –- shelters may be full or may even stop intakes altogether. Survivors may also fear entering shelter because of being in close quarters with groups of people.

·         Survivors who are older or have chronic heart or lung conditions may be at increased risk in public places where they would typically get support, like shelters, counseling centers, or courthouses.

·         Travel restrictions may impact a survivor’s escape or safety plan – it may not be safe for them to use public transportation or to fly.

·         An abusive partner may feel more justified and escalate their isolation tactics.

 Actions survivors can take include:

·         Create a safety plan. A safety plan is a practical plan with ways to stay safe while a survivor is in an abusive relationship, or planning to leave the relationship, or after leaving the relationship.

·         Practice self-care. Be sure take care of your own health and wellness.

·         Reach out for help. Even if isolated, try to safely maintain social connections online or over the phone.

Friends and relatives can help by keeping contact with the survivor.

COVID-19 has created a unique situation for survivors of domestic violence. However, they can successfully get through the situation. And there still is help for them. Here are links for organizations that can help:

Local and State Organizations-

Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County:

https://dvs-snoco.org/

King County-

https://kingcounty.gov/how-do-i/domestic-violence.aspx

LifeWire (for east and north King County):

https://www.lifewire.org/

Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

https://wscadv.org/



National Organizations-



National Domestic Violence Hotline:

https://www.thehotline.org/



Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN):

https://www.rainn.org/






News about DV and COVID-19-


Mill Creek Beacon:

https://www.millcreekbeacon.com/story/2020/04/03/news/covid-19s-impact-on-domestic-violence-resources-there-is-still-help-available/11406.html

KOMO News:

https://komonews.com/news/local/police-report-jump-in-domestic-violence-report-amid-coronavirus-crisis

NPR The Takeaway:

https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/coronavirus-domestic-violence-and-child-abuse

COVID-19 “ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT”- Watch Out for Scammers

With the federal government starting to send out stimulus payments, scammers are taking this as an opportunity to collect your Social Security Number, bank account information and other personal information to steal your identity and to take your money.

Earlier this month, the IRS issued a warning about scammers taking advantage of the COVID-19 situation,

"We urge people to take extra care during this period. The IRS isn't going to call you asking to verify or provide your financial information so you can get an economic impact payment or your refund faster," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "That also applies to surprise emails that appear to be coming from the IRS. Remember, don't open them or click on attachments or links. Go to IRS.gov for the most up-to-date information."

The IRS will automatically send out your Economic Impact Payment to you if you filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 or if you receive Social Security, Railroad retirement, disability or veterans’ benefits. You do not have to take any action. If you have not filed in those years, the IRS has a portal for you to enter your information at this link:

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here

Remember, the IRS will not contact you to “verify” your personal information.

The IRS warns you to watch out for the following scammer techniques:

·         Emphasize the words "Stimulus Check" or "Stimulus Payment." The official term is economic impact payment.

·         Ask the taxpayer to sign over their economic impact payment check to them.

·         Ask by phone, email, text or social media for verification of personal and/or banking information saying that the information is needed to receive or speed up their economic impact payment.

·         Suggest that they can get a tax refund or economic impact payment faster by working on the taxpayer's behalf. This scam could be conducted by social media or even in person.

·         Mail the taxpayer a bogus check, perhaps in an odd amount, then tell the taxpayer to call a number or verify information online in order to cash it.

For more about COVID-19 scams and more information about the Economic Impact Payment program check out the following links

COVID-19 Scams-

Internal Revenue Service:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-issues-warning-about-coronavirus-related-scams-watch-out-for-schemes-tied-to-economic-impact-payments

AARP Fraud Watch Network:

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2020/stimulus-checks-scams.html?intcmp=AE-FRDSC-MOR-R2-POS3

FBI:

https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/protect-yourself-from-covid-19-scams-040620



Information about the Economic Impact Payment Program-

The Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/irs-launches-website-to-speed-relief-payments-to-some-low-income-americans-who-dont-file-taxes/

Internal Revenue Service:

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

COVID-19 OPEN ROADS- Please Observe Speed Limits

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) wants you to know that they will not make traffic stops to check on your travel status. They will stop you for speeding. The only documents you need to have for a traffic stop is your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

Traffic Stops. WSP in District 4, including Spokane County, recently has noted that it has had reports of “impersonator incidents in our area.” WSP says that it “…is NOT making traffic stops just to check travel status.” And WSP emphasizes that “troopers will always clearly identify themselves and present official identification when requested.”  

If you suspect that you are being stopped by a police impersonator WSP recommends that you,

·         Slow down and activate your 4-way flashing lights

·         Call 911

·         Be prepared to give the call taker a description of your vehicle and its location

·         If close by, you can stop at a highly populated and visible area such as a grocery store.

Speeding. While we are under the Stay-At-Home order, you might have to go to the grocery store, pharmacy, or to your essential workplace. You probably have noticed that the streets and highways do not have the same amount of traffic than it did before the Stay-At-Home order.

The Washington State Patrol and some other local police departments have noticed that some drivers have been taking advantage of the lighter traffic by driving as fast as they can.

Troopers have caught people speeding almost 30 mph over the speed limit and in eastern Washington, attaining speeds up to 130 mph.

Earlier this month, the Lynnwood Police Department posted on its Facebook page that they are seeing a significant increase in traffic violations such as speeding, DUI, and reckless driving. It notes that it is stopping more cars for speeding and violations and for higher speeds over the limit, such as 20 mph over the limit near parks and where children are playing, and pedestrians are walking.

The Edmonds Police Department recently reminded drivers and pedestrians to watch out for one another and to obey traffic and pedestrian laws.

During the COVID-19 Stay-at-Home order Sheriff’s deputies and police officers continue to patrol our neighborhoods and commercial areas and will stop you for speeding.

Washington State Patrol:

https://twitter.com/wspd4pio/status/1248742656500363265?s=20

https://twitter.com/wspd3pio/status/1248632057749598208?s=09



KOMO News:

https://komonews.com/news/local/130-mph-troopers-note-alarming-trend-of-speeding-drivers-amid-empty-freeways



Lynnwood Police Department:

https://www.facebook.com/LynnwoodPolice/



Edmonds Police Department

https://www.facebook.com/EdmondsPoliceDepartment/photos/a.459643557549686/1418568551657177/?type=3&theater

COVID-19 CYBER SECURITY- FBI Issues Warning about Zoom Breaches

With orders to stay home, more and more people are using teleconferencing services for work or to socialize with family and friends from afar. While public health officials call it “social distancing” what they are asking us to do is “physical distancing”, staying physically well away from each other to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Keeping contact with work colleagues, family, and friends is important to ensure that we keep our sanity while we are physically apart.

Teleconferencing can be an important tool to surviving this coronavirus. From press reports, it appears that people have been flocking to teleconferencing apps and services in record numbers. Many for the first time. 

Security has become an issue for one of these teleconferencing services. The FBI office out of Boston has issued a warning that the FBI has received several reports of video-teleconferencing (VTC) sessions being disrupted by pornographic and/or hate images and threatening language. The service receiving the most attention for this activity is Zoom, so the activity is called “Zoom-bombing.”

The FBI alert cited two instances in the New England region, while others have been reported by the press. In one instance in late March 2020, a Massachusetts-based high school teacher conducted an online class when someone dialed into the session then yelled profanity and shouted the teacher’s home address. During another Zoom session, conducted by a second Massachusetts-based school, someone accessed the session then displayed swastika tattoos on the video.

Reports of similar incidents along with skyrocketing use of the Zoom app and services have revealed serious security flaws in Zoom. The CEO of Zoom,

Eric Yuan, noted in a blog post on April 1, that the growth of users went from

10 million daily users in December 2019 to 200,000 million users in March 2020. He also noted that the platform was designed for enterprise customers, not for enterprise and consumer use. Mr. Yuan listed a variety of measures that the company was doing and intended to do to enhance the security of his product.

Things that you can do to protect your session from intruders disrupting your meeting include:

·       Allow only signed-in users to join.

·       Lock the meeting.

·       Set up your own two-factor authentication.

·       Mute participants to control disruptive noise.

·       Do not share links to meetings on social media.

·       Use a waiting room to control entry of your participants.

Securing your business meetings or your private conversations via teleconferencing is an important function that you and the software that you use needs to address. When using a teleconferencing app take some time to learn how it handles security.

FBI:

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston/news/press-releases/fbi-warns-of-teleconferencing-and-online-classroom-hijacking-during-covid-19-pandemic

The Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/thousands-of-zoom-video-calls-left-exposed-on-open-web/ 

Zoom:

https://blog.zoom.us/wordpress/2020/04/01/a-message-to-our-users/

https://blog.zoom.us/wordpress/2020/03/20/keep-uninvited-guests-out-of-your-zoom-event/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1IMmOujc9c&feature=youtu.be

Here are some alternatives to Zoom,

Windows Central:

https://www.windowscentral.com/best-zoom-alternatives