Cybercriminals got hold of the customers’ information belonging to MoneyGram. Well guess what, this is not fiction or some action movie plot… this is the real world.
What Happened?
Between September 20 and 22 hackers penetrated MoneyGram’s network, exposing the company and its customers to losses of social security numbers, bank accounts, etc. The company was quick to act; customer notification was done and a team of specialists was assembled to comb through the hacking. The hackers didn’t stop at Social Security numbers. They were even able to see other such details as driving licenses and possibly customer statements.
Fortunately, MoneyGram has been quick to reassure everybody that this was not a ransomware scenario, where your files are encrypted and they hold your files ransom until you pay to get them unlocked. But the attack was severe enough to cause the temporary shutdown of some MoneyGram services for a couple of days.
What You Should Do Now
Well if you are a MoneyGram customer then what you should be doing right now? First off, don’t panic. But I’ll stress this as well: do not neglect this as well either. Here are a few steps the company recommends:
Check your bank statements. If you notice anything out of the ordinary then do not hesitate.
Be wary of such messages – Every once a while, you get a message informing you that you stand to win a certain amount of money. MoneyGram’s message is clear, I strongly reckon if something appears to be more than it could ever be, well, it isn’t. Too bad you didn’t actually win the all expense-paid trip to the Maldives.
Minding your money – sending money is like sending cash – once it has been spent there will be no getting it back. It is always wise to ensure that you double cross check before you transfer any amount of money to any stranger you may come across. Never rush into a given destination, because the scammers will see to it that you panic, which is what they want because they will be taking their time to build the fake nature of the emergency.
International money transfer service MoneyGram, among other things, has extra protection.
MoneyGram understands this was a huge issue and they’re now doing everything to rectify the situation. As for the affected customers of the United States, they are being provided with a free of cost identity theft protection and free credit monitoring for two years. It is something like an open invitation to get a shield that helps one defend themselves from other attacks.
They have also given their apologies for whatever transpired, but as is obvious, sorry does not begin to solve a situation or a problem. But that’s something I guess, it’s nice to know they are not just abandoning you out right.
Tips to Stay Safe from Scams
Today, people became wiser and so did the scammers, and now they utilize artificial intelligence in various ways to make their scams convincing. Well, then how do we protect ourselves?
Do not get carried away by flashy offers on the internet – Broad daylight scams of freebies are not genuine and should be avoided.
Never transfer money to strangers – it just goes without saying that scammers are crafty and will try to persuade you to give your money away. If you only communicated with someone via the Internet, chat or phone – do not give money to such a person. Yes, people, romance scams are out there, and they make you want to cry not only for the money wasted.
Avoid receiving assistance from persons you do not know at the ATM – This is one of those rare times where it is better to be afraid than sorry. If somebody, you’ve never interacted with before, approaches you with an offer to assist you with the transaction, don’t accept. They may not be working for your own benefits.
We All Have To Stay Vigilant
MoneyGram’s breach is a good lesson for all that we should be very careful nowadays. Email fraudsters or cybercriminals in the present society are constantly searching for opportunities to deceive people. However, if you are careful and follow some tips that can be learned on the streets, you should not lose your personal information or money.
