SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Crime Prevention Newsletter, Safety in the Mountains

People have been flocking to the mountains to enjoy the outdoors and nature. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office has some tips to help you make your visit a safe one.

 Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6507

Also, there have been reports of heavy traffic and many parked vehicles along US-2 in the Eagle Falls area just east of Index. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office asks that if your destination is full to please go to plan B to keep our highways safe and to help with “social distancing.”

Here are some details from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page,

“On Wednesday, a 21 year-old Tacoma man jumped into the water at Eagle Falls and did not resurface. Emergency vehicles had to use the westbound lane to drive east due to all the cars parked on the highway. (This is a huge hazard and delays life-saving efforts) Our dive team searched the water for several hours Wednesday night before suspending the search operation. The team was unable to locate the man due to a strong current and dangerous water conditions. This area continues to be extremely busy and is very dangerous! The water appears calm, but has an extremely strong current underneath that can pull down even the strongest swimmers. Please #RecreateResponsibly and find another place to swim. Sadly, this summer we have already responded to numerous drownings at this same location. #EagleFalls Wear a life jacket!”

Snohomish County Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management:

https://twitter.com/SnoCo_DEM/status/1289240523249553408?s=20

The Herald:

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/despite-drownings-tiktok-fame-draws-hordes-to-eagle-falls/

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/another-man-is-presumed-drowned-near-eagle-falls/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTION 2020- Get Your Election Information Directly from the Source

Tuesday, August 4, 2020 is Election Day for the 2020 Primary Election in Washington State. You should receive your voter’s pamphlet and your ballot soon.  

Information about the voting and election results usually comes through reporting from mainline news sources such as newspapers and TV and radio news stations. The news media will continue to report on the results, but social media will also have information about the election.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a function of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, encourages all of us to carefully assess information that we see on social media about the election. CISA evaluates cybersecurity and infrastructure risks and works with federal, state, and local governments to ensure that their digital systems and physical infrastructure are resilient from outside attack or natural disaster.

CISA warns that foreign “actors” are taking actions online to sow discord, manipulate public discourse and discredit our electoral system. One technique that foreign governments can use to disrupt our election is to spread disinformation about the voting process and the election results.

The recent announcement of Russian intelligence hacking into coronavirus research computers to steal information on potential vaccines shows that foreign governmental agencies are active online with cyberespionage activities.  And the announcement that someone hacked several Twitter accounts of famous people and other accounts to trick the public into giving bitcoin shows that we all need to carefully evaluate the information that we see on social media.

The best source of information on the voting process and election results can be found at the

Washington State Secretary of State’s Office:

Website- https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/WaSecretaryOfState

Snohomish County Auditor’s Office:

https://snohomishcountywa.gov/224/Elections-Voter-Registration

King County Auditor’s Office:

https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections.aspx

For more information about election security and recent cybersecurity related events go to the following links,

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency:

https://www.cisa.gov/election-security

https://www.cisa.gov/protect2020

https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/foreign_interference_taxonomy_october_15.pdf

https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_1115_cisa_nrmc-Disinformation-Stops-With-You_0.pdf

The Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/u-k-u-s-and-canada-report-russian-cyberspies-may-be-trying-to-steal-vaccine-research/

The Verge:

https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/15/21326200/elon-musk-bill-gates-twitter-hack-bitcoin-scam-compromised

Federal Trade Commission:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/07/avoiding-cryptocurrency-scam

Krebs on Security:

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/07/whos-behind-wednesdays-epic-twitter-hack/

COVID-19- Microsoft Fights Cyber Criminal Phishing Email Attacks

Different parts of the federal government try to fight cyber criminals who are stealing money and information from U.S. businesses and citizens. Major corporations are also fighting cyber criminals to protect themselves and their clients. Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) is a team of attorneys, investigators, data scientists, engineers, analysts, and business professionals who protect Microsoft’s customers by fighting cybercrime globally. The unit uses technology, forensics, civil actions, criminal referrals, and public/private partnerships to protect the security and privacy of its customers.

In an operation that recently came to light in the technology press, the unit used innovative techniques to take over web domains that were being used by cybercriminals in email phishing attacks on Microsoft customers in 62 countries.

DCU analysis detected a series of phishing Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks on its customers. As a result of its investigation, DCU went to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia seeking permission to seize control of domains that cybercriminals used to launch their phishing attacks. With the court’s permission, the DCU seized those domains shutting down the phishing operation.

The cybercriminals sent phishing emails to Microsoft clients that were designed to look like they were from a trusted source in attempts to compromise accounts, steal information, and redirect wire transfers. Some of the more recent efforts contained messaging regarding COVID-19 to get the recipient to click on a link. Once clicking on the link, the recipient would be prompted to grant access permission to a malicious web application. The web app was also designed to look like it belonged to a trusted source, however, it was controlled by the cybercriminals who now had permission to access the victim’s Microsoft Office 365 account.

Business Email Compromise is a major problem for businesses around the world. The FBI’s 2019 Internet Crime Report shows that BEC crimes represent almost half of all cybercrime financial losses for over $1.7 billion in losses. To defeat worldwide cybercriminals, the DCU develops strong partnerships with local and global law enforcement, security firms, researchers, NGO’s, and customers to overcome the constraints of jurisdictions and legal limitations.    

To learn more about this operation and the Digital Crimes Unit check out the following links,

Microsoft:

https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2020/07/07/digital-crimes-unit-covid-19-cybercrime/

https://3er1viui9wo30pkxh1v2nh4w-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/358/2019/01/DCU-Overview-2019_.pdf

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/government

Infosecurity:

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/microsoft-takedown-phishing

Windows Central:

https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-stops-coronavirus-themed-cybercrime-help-court-order-0

FBI:

https://pdf.ic3.gov/2019_IC3Report.pdf

COVID-19- Scammers Have Attention of Many Parts of the Federal Government

Scammers are still trying to take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to steal your money or your identity. A recent webinar hosted by the Social Security Administration and AARP demonstrated the breadth of federal government services that can be affected by scammers. And while the webinar was targeted to seniors, this was AARP after all, much of the information applies to all walks of American life.

Here is a brief summary of the affected federal agencies, what scams they observe, and where you can get more information about scams from that agency.

Medicare- Medicare is often a target of fraudsters, charging Medicare for products or services that are not needed by patients or charging for products and services that are simply not delivered to patients.

Scam Threats- Offers of free testing, test kits and PPE. Sometimes the scammer will use a threat of exposing the victim to the virus if they do not share their personal information. Scammers contact potential victims via robocalls, web sites, social media or by coming to your door. Scammers are often interested in your Medicare number.

Report fraud- You can report fraud to

                     

                      1-800-MEDICARE

Or

                      https://www.smpresource.org/Content/You-Can-Help/Report-Fraud.aspx

For more information-

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General:

https://oig.hhs.gov/coronavirus/fraud-alert-covid19.asp

Social Security Administration (SSA)-

Scam Threats- Scammers will pose as a Social Security official. They may claim that you won’t get paid your social security payment because the Social Security office is closed. Or they may claim that you need to pay an extra fee for extra coronavirus benefits. SSA warns that they will not arrest you for an ID theft problem or require you to put money in a protected account. Nor does SSA take payments in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency or cash. And SSA won't tell to make up stories to your family or bank for gift cards.

Report fraud- You can report fraud to

Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General- https://oig.ssa.gov/

For more information go to-

Social Security and Coronavirus Disease:

https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/#anchor3

Census-

Scam Threats- Scammers may impersonate a Census official claiming that you need to respond to the Census in order to receive your Economic Impact Payment. They will ask for your full Social Security number or a bank account numbers.

For more information go to-

United States Census Bureau:

https://www.census.gov/

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Economic Impact Payments (EIP)-

Scam Threats- The IRS says that it won’t contact you for your personal information. It also will not offer faster EIP payments for a fee. It warns not to click on links in suspicious emails claiming to be from the IRS. To check on information about your EIP, go directly to the IRS website. www.irs.gov.

Report fraud- You can report fraud to

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)- https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report.shtml

United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)-

Scam Threats- The USPIS sees offers for fake cures and treatments being sent through the mail. Scammers will also claim that you need to pay taxes or fees to receive your EIP payment. It also sees imposter scams of people claiming to be from the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control demanding payment or personal information.

Report fraud- You can report fraud to

https://www.uspis.gov/report/

For more information go to-

United States Postal Inspection Service:

https://www.uspis.gov/

Department of Justice (DOJ)/Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)-

Scam Threats- The FBI says it is seeing an increase of impersonation scams including grandparent scams, online romance scams and phishing scams. It is also seeing COVID-19 scams including offers of vaccines, cures and treatments, donation scams, and investment fraud.

Report fraud- You can report fraud to

The National Elder Fraud Hotline- 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)

https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov/

The FBI says to report internet crimes, including coronavirus crimes, to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov/

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA)-

Scam Threats- CISA warns of phishing attacks that try to download malware or ransomware onto your computer or your business' network.

For more information go to-

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency:

https://www.cisa.gov/coronavirus

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)-

Scam Threats- Treatment and cures offered through email, text, and robocalls.

Report fraud- You can report fraud to

FTC Complaint Assistant- https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1

For more information go to-

Federal Trade Commission:

https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus

https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-

Scam Threats- Text scams, robocalls.

Report fraud- You can report fraud to

FCC Consumer complaint Center-

 https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us

For more information go to-

FCC:

https://www.fcc.gov/covid-scams

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)-

Scam Threats- Strangers may offer to help pick up groceries, medications, or other items, take you money, then not show up with your supplies. CFPB recommends that you only use people that you know or established delivery services or charities. You can also order directly from stores that offer delivery services.

For more information go to-

Eldercare Locator:

https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx/

CFPB:

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/

AARP:

Fraud Watch Network-

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/?cmp=RDRCT-CON-FRD-FRDWCHNET_SEP2018

Coronavirus-

https://www.aarp.org/coronavirus/

Slam the Scam-

https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-and-aarp-work-to-slam-the-scam/

MISINFORMATION- How to Know When You Are Seeing Bad Information

Since the beginning of the year, we have been bombarded with information. Our modern life is rich in information which we can see on our TV’s, computers, and even on our smartphones. But with the onset of COVID-19 and then the reaction to the death of George Floyd information seems to have come to us at supersonic speeds and in amounts that are hard to comprehend.

Along with this flow of information comes the potential for misinformation and in some cases disinformation. Observers have been warning about misinformation, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. The flood of information has been putting fact checking organizations such as”snopes.com” on overdrive. In fact, the World Health Organization has coined the word “Infodemic” as “…an overabundance of information – some accurate and some not – occurring during an epidemic.” An Infodemic makes it hard “…for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it.”

Misinformation is simply incorrect or misleading information. Misinformation can be spread unintentionally by anyone who has read or heard it in good faith believing that it is true.

Disinformation is false information purposely spread to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. People intent on exploiting a situation often spread disinformation. This can be groups who want to influence political decision making. Scammers who want to steal your money can use disinformation. Also, fraudsters who offer products that claim to cure or treat diseases will spread disinformation. And disinformation can be passed on by well-intentioned people.

The wave of misinformation has caused concern by academics. Two University of Washington professors teach a course on “Calling Bullshit.” They, along with other academics, have started the Center for an Informed Public at the U of W that researches how misinformation and disinformation affects our values, beliefs and decision making.

Academics have developed practical steps that anyone can take to evaluate the information that they read or hear, especially on social media. Mike Caufield, a digital information literacy expert at Washington State University, has developed a methodology that anyone can use to check the validity of information that they read without taking extensive measures to do fact checking.

The methodology follows an overall philosophy of

·         Think more, share less

·         Slow down

·         Pick trusted sources

The methodology, called “SIFT,” has four parts,

1.      Stop- When you read something that gives you a strong emotion, shock, surprise, or a strong urge to share, STOP, then go to the next steps.

2.      Investigate the Source- Is this a reputable source? For example, on Twitter, hover over the sources name. Is the source in a position to have knowledge about what they are talking about? If you do not recognize the source do a Wikipedia search. Most publications have an entry in Wikipedia. An easy way to do this search, is to add Wikipedia to the URL. If you cannot find an entry, then you probably should question the credibility of the publication.

3.      Find Better Coverage- If the “reporting source” doesn’t inspire confidence, but the story is still compelling, see if anyone else is covering the subject. A Google (or Bing) search should help you. You can also select the headline then right-click, long press, or cmd-click. A list of links on the subject should pop up. If no one else is covering the subject or claim, you might become more suspicious about it.   

4.      Trace Claims, Quotes and Media to the Original Context. First, check the date. Is this old information circulating now? Next click through to the original source of the claim from the reporting source. Do a quick search in the article of key terms in the claim. If you find the terms, the claim may have validity. If you don’t you might continue to be suspicious.

This advice has wide applications to evaluating what we read on social media. However, you can use it to prevent becoming a victim of crime. Similar advice is used to avoid scams. If you have heard recommendations on avoiding fraud and scams, you know that scammers try to get you emotional so that you do not act logically. And experts on scamming often recommend asking a friend or family member if the claim that the scammer makes is logical. To independently check out a claim that you owe utility fees, are in trouble for not going to jury duty, or to check directly with your grandson/granddaughter that they are truly OK. Also, to be skeptical of miracle cures or offers that appear to be too good to be true.

This is another way of saying the same thing,

·         Think more, share less

·         Slow down

·         Pick trusted sources

Sifting Through the Pandemic:
https://infodemic.blog/

University of Washington- Center for an Informed Public:

https://www.cip.uw.edu/

World Health Organization- Mythbusters:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdnc/pr/covid-19-alert-fraudulent-facemask-flyers

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

Calling BS:

https://callingbullshit.org/index.html

The Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/how-to-inoculate-yourself-against-rumors-about-coronavirus-or-any-subject/

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/covid-19-meets-election-2020-the-perfect-storm-for-misinformation/

Snopes:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/able-bodied-ada-mask-loophole/

COVID-19- Face Mask Exempt Card?

Wearing masks to help curb the spread of COVID-19 has become controversial for some people. While public health officials who have been encouraging us to wear masks when we are in confined places, where it is difficult to stay 6 feet or more apart, they have also pointed out that people with certain health conditions are exempt from wearing masks.

A group calling itself the “Freedom to Breath Agency” (FTBA) has been distributing a “Face Mask Exempt Card” that claims that the bearer is “…exempt from any ordinance requiring face mask usage in public.” It also claims there are stiff fines for businesses that violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the United States Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ADA Information Line phone number. The card says,

“Denying access to your business/organization will be also reported to FTBA for further action.”

The DOJ has issued a press release warning citizens that it has seen “fraudulent postings, cards, or flyers on the internet” claiming that forcing people to wear masks is illegal under the ADA. The DOJ points out that the “Freedom to Breath Agency” is not a government agency and that the “…card does not carry the force of law.”

The card has spelling errors, such as “posses” for “poses.” It also misnames the “Americans with Disabilities Act” the “Americans with Disability Act.” And some versions of the card had the DOJ emblem on it.

The cards apparently were marketed online, selling for about $50 for a box of roughly 500 cards.

The FTBA’s Wix website and its Facebook group page have been taken down.

ABC News has been in contact with FTBA which defends the cards as “an educational tool.” The group says that it issued a statement stating that the cards were not issued by the Department of Justice.

In a statement to ABC News, Lenka Koloma, the group’s founder said,

“It is our focus to educate the public about the importance of unobstructed oxygen to their overall well-being and help the community, increase natural immunity without sacrificing their freedom of responsible choice, their health and the health of others,”

The DOJ, however, “…urges the public not to rely on the information contained in these postings and flyers and to visit http://www.ADA.gov for official information about the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

Comment: The implementation of the card comes off as a scam to an observer educated in how scammers work. The effort may be well intentioned but passing off a private group as a federal agency, using another federal agency’s seal without permission, and trying to scare businesses with illegitimate claims takes away the legitimacy of the card. If the backers of this effort were sincere, all they would have to do is to create materials that state the facts as they see them under their own name. As it is, this group appears to use the scammer’s tactics of creating a false authority and using fear to try to intimidate people.

For a more accurate explanation of face masks and the ADA check out the following links.

Psychology Today:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/disability-in-motion/202006/understanding-the-ada-and-face-mask-requirements

Snopes:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/able-bodied-ada-mask-loophole/

Washington State Department of Health:

https://www.coronavirus.wa.gov/information-for/you-and-your-family/face-masks-or-cloth-face-covering

United States Department of Justice:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdnc/pr/covid-19-alert-fraudulent-facemask-flyers

CBS News:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/face-mask-exemption-card-freedom-to-breathe-agency-fraudulent/

ABC News:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/face-mask-exempt-cards-circulating-online-fraudulent-doj/story?id=71507910