Latest news with #Karnik
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Nashik citytop cop wants increased vigil against drugs
Nashik: Commissioner of police Sandeep Karnik has appealed to the anti-narcotics wing of the commissionerate to step up vigilance against the sale and consumption of drugs like mephedrone (MD), ganja, charas, etc. , within the city limits. Karnik mentioned the instructions on Friday when he reviewed the work of the anti-narcotics cell. While appreciating the work of the officers and personnel of the cell, he asked the personnel to put in more effort to get to the root of drug peddling. Officials said, "During investigations, the police generally find out where the drugs were procured. The CP has appealed us to go deeper and find out the people the accused is in contact with, whether they are his source of drug smuggling or part of the supply chain, which would eventually help the cops eliminate the menace of drugs in the city." Nonetheless, CP Karnik, DCP (Crime) Prashant Bacchav, DCP (Zone 2) Monica Raut, ACP (Crime) Sandeep Mitke, and other senior officers appreciated the efforts of the officials and personnel of the anti-narcotics cell. Over the past one and a half years, the anti-narcotics cell found 20 cases related to the smuggling of mephedrone, in which 58 suspects were either arrested or identified, and MD weighing 731.04 grams, worth over Rs 34.6 lakh, was seized. Furthermore, 18 cases of smuggling of ganja were also registered, in which 38 people were arrested, and over 292 kgs of ganja worth over Rs 48.8 lakh was seized. The police registered one case of charas, in which 49g of the contraband worth over Rs 24,000 was seized, and one person was arrested. One more case of 'bhang' was registered, in which four people were arrested, and 326 kgs of bhang worth over Rs 3.26 lakh was seized. Senior officials said that owing to the menace of drugs in the city, Karnik is also contemplating providing additional staff to the anti-narcotics cell.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
Nashik police crack down on cop-criminal ties, lawbreakers
Nashik: Police commissioner Sandeep Karnik has urged all assistant commissioners of police (ACPs) and station in-charges to report any personnel found keeping contact with criminals. The police will also step up patrols in public spaces, including gardens and parks during the day and streets at night, to curb anti-social activities . Karnik's appeal to ACPs and station in-charges follows the recent incident of three police personnel of a 'kaidee party' found having food at a restaurant with two murder accused. Karnik on Monday dismissed the three personnel from service. " Contacts of police personnel with criminals not only tarnish the image of the force, but also affect the trust of people in the police. I will take similar action of dismissal from service against police personnel maintaining relations with criminals," the CP said. The city police have also appealed that residents should send a message on CP's WhatsApp number 9923323311 if they come across anyone misbehaving in open places. "Under the guidance of CP Karnik, we are keeping a vigil on people consuming alcohol openly, misbehaving on the streets at night, indulging in stunts on vehicles or any such misbehaviour," a senior officer said. Senior police officers said they took continuous action, such as stop-and-search actions and combing operations, against such people over the past one-and-a-half years. Since Dec 2023, the police registered cases against 42,554 miscreants under Section 112/117 of the Maharashtra Police Act .
Forbes
04-05-2025
- Forbes
New PayPal Warning As Attacks Spike By 600% — Take Action Now
PayPal scams rise by 600% since the start of 2025. No doubt, you will have read the recent news articles about hackers trying to steal your Gmail account password, or maybe the spray and pray campaign targeting your Windows account, because cybercriminals follow the money. Both the Gmail and Windows user bases, which are often one and the same thing, provide the opportunity to compromise huge numbers of passwords and gain access to the data that sits behind them. What's more, those accounts can also be used to leverage social engineering attacks. And that, dear reader, is where the phishing and money parts of the story intersect: it has been reported that PayPal attacks have risen by 600% since January. Here's what you need to know and why you must take action now. Let's get two things out of the way before digging deeper into the recent spike in PayPal-related attacks. Firstly, PayPal hacks and scams are nothing new. From the use of legitimate PayPal emails in one nasty threat campaign that I wrote about in February, to the dangerous PayPal invoice that could bypass security protections in May. And, secondly, PayPal actually does take your security very seriously indeed. So, in relation to that last attack, for example, PayPal told me it is constantly evolving its fraud detection tools, including adding fraud reminder notices with advice for customers on all global invoice requests and peer-to-peer money requests. But, and it's a big one, that doesn't mean that the PayPal attack landscape isn't expanding or can be ignored. Far from it, in fact. A McAfee security report by Abhishek Karnik, McAfee's director for threat research and response, has confirmed a massive 600% spike in fraudulent PayPal-related scam emails since January. 'The recent surge has been traced to a single, highly effective campaign where attackers send official-looking emails with 'Action required' warnings,' Karnik warned, 'demanding users update their account details within 48 hours or face account suspension.' I have approached PayPal for a statement, but in the meantime, users are advised to take the following mitigation steps to prevent becoming a victim of this or other PayPal phishing scams: Do not pay any unexpected or suspicious invoices or payment requests. Do not respond to any of the above requests. Enable two-factor authentication for your PayPal account. Report any phishing emails to the PayPal security team by forwarding them to phishing@ and then deleting them.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Ways To Avoid the New PayPal Scam That Is Using Real Emails
There's a new sophisticated PayPal scam draining the bank accounts of unsuspecting victims. Hackers are ambushing users of the platform in a tricky way that seems so legit, it's not sending off alarm bells until it's too late.'The new scam going around is catching people off guard because it's using real PayPal emails,' said Vlad Cristescu, head of cybersecurity at ZeroBounce. 'Not lookalikes. Not fakes. Actual messages, from what looks like PayPal's real system.' For You: Try This: Scammers are outsmarting PayPal's automated email delivery system and its working. 'They're sending invoices or purchase confirmations through PayPal's official platform. That means the email doesn't come from a weird address. It comes from service@ — the real deal,' Cristescu explained.'The email may say something like: 'You've just paid $749 for a MacBook. If this wasn't you, call this number.' And that's where the trap is,' he added. 'You call the number, hoping to cancel the transaction — but instead, you're talking to the scammer, not the scam is fooling people, there are ways to avoid it. Here's what to know about the scam and how to protect yourself, according to cybersecurity experts. For more than 25 years, PayPal has been at the forefront of digital payments. The service was launched in 1998 and has been around much longer than Venmo and Zelle, becoming a trusted brand many rely on and use daily, which also makes it a target. 'Scammers are now using PayPal's own system to trick people. They send what looks like a real payment request to PayPal users, mostly via email,' said Abhishek Karnik, head of threat research for McAfee, an online protection company. Read Next: It's not easy to spot at first because the messages comes from PayPal's domain and itgets past scam filters Karnik said. 'These messages may even include the name of a well-known company, along with a phone number to call if you didn't make the purchase. But that number connects you to the scammer, not PayPal,' he added. It's always scary to feel like you could lose your hard earned money, but times are especially tough right now and people are watching every dime. The scammers are banking on victims desperately trying to stop a transaction they didn't purchase, but instead people are inadvertently getting cheated.'It preys on people's fear of losing money and feels urgent; scammers count on fear and urgency to cloud your judgment, knowing that many people will call or click before taking time to think it through,' Karnik explained. One way to avoid the new PayPal scam is to not engage, according to Karnik. 'Don't engage with messages that feel urgent or alarming, especially if they say you've been charged or need to act fast,' he said.'That pressure is exactly what scammers are counting on,' he added. 'Instead, take a breath, slow down and go straight to the source before clicking or calling.' Before handing over sensitive information to anyone over the phone, Cristescu advised to check your PayPal account first. 'Never trust what an email says at face value, especially when it involves money,' he said. 'Instead of clicking a link or calling a number, go to directly. Once you're logged in, you can check if the invoice or payment is really there. No invoice in your account? Then the email is just a scare tactic. To add a layer of security to your account, add a two-factor authentication (2FA). 'Even if someone tries to mess with your account, they can't log in without a second security step (usually a code sent to your phone),' Cristescu explained. '2FA adds a double lock to your account. It makes unauthorized access way harder.''If someone gets your password, they still can't access your account without a code sent to your phone or authenticator,' Karnik added. If Paypal is a service you often use, Cristescu recommended understanding how the platform communicates with customers. 'PayPal doesn't use invoices to settle disputes,' he explained. 'They won't ask you to call out of the blue. They don't throw around panic buttons like 'Call now or your money is gone.' Knowing what real communication looks like makes it easier to spot a scam when one lands in your inbox.' Experts warn against calling numbers in an email you received because you never know who is going to be on the other end.'The phone number in the email is the whole point of the scam,' Cristescu said. 'If you call it, you're giving the scammer direct access to influence you and maybe even manipulate you into installing software, sharing passwords or 'canceling' payments that were never real. Use only official PayPal contact methods found on their site or in their app.''Scammers often create fake customer service lines to trick people into calling them directly,' Karnik added. Getting an urgent email informing you that a transaction was made that you didn't authorize is jarring and taking quick steps to correct the issue is a normal first response, but Karnik doesn't recommend jumping into action so fast. 'You should slow down, expect the unexpected and trust your gut,' he explained. 'If something feels off or you receive a message requesting payment for a purchase you don't remember making, go straight to PayPal's website, log in and check things for yourself — and remember that you should only use the contact info you find there, not the one in the email.' More From GOBankingRates 6 Used Luxury SUVs That Are a Good Investment for Retirees4 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 20257 Overpriced Grocery Items Frugal People Should Quit Buying in 20255 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying This article originally appeared on 5 Ways To Avoid the New PayPal Scam That Is Using Real Emails
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
It's Tax Time! How to File Without Getting Scammed
It's officially tax season, and April 15 is fast approaching. Sure, waiting until the last minute to file is tempting, especially if you owe the government money, but security experts say procrastinators should beware. Rushing last-minute through this annual chore could put you at risk for more than just making costly mistakes -- it could also make you more likely to fall for tax season-related scams and other attempts to steal your refunds and personal information. While consumers have long needed to worry about scammers and cybercriminals looking to capitalize on tax season, experts say their threat is only growing as they increasingly harness the power of artificial intelligence tools to boost both the scale and sophistication of their attacks. "A lot of these social engineering scams are getting more real, more believable," said Abhishek Karnik, head of threat research for McAfee. For example, a person could receive a phone call from someone claiming to be an IRS agent with what sounds like an American accent. But they're a scammer calling from another country and may not actually be a native English speaker. With the help of AI tools, scammers can change their voice and speech patterns to sound more convincing, turning what might have been an easily spotted scam into something much more dangerous, Karnik said. And more people are falling for those scams. Nearly one in four people polled for a McAfee survey released Thursday say they or someone they know has lost money to a tax scam. In addition, 87% of people polled say they're concerned about the use of AI in generating more -- and more realistic -- tax scam messages and fraudulent content. While most of the AI-generated scam messages McAfee researchers see now come in the form of recorded phone calls, Karnik said it's only a matter of time before even more convincing real-time audio and video deepfakes become the norm. Meanwhile, scammers also use AI to boost their production of scam text and email messages. These also might attempt to impersonate the IRS, but they could pretend to be from one of the big tax software brands like TurboTax or H&R Block. But instead of sending victims to the company's real website, scammers usher them to a fake one that collects their money or their most private personal data. Karnik said victims could also end up with malware on their computers if they're tricked into downloading fake tax preparation software. Truman Kain, a security researcher at the cybersecurity firm Huntress, says one new tax scam cybersecurity researchers are seeing this year is one that falsely promises $1,400 stimulus payments. The scam stems from the IRS' December announcement that it would send payments to filers who didn't receive them during the pandemic. Kain said scammers pounced on that announcement. "They know people are wondering if they qualify for it, so they're sending fake IRS texts to steal personal information," Kain said. But the IRS has already made the bulk of those payments, and it's doing them automatically, so those who qualify don't need to submit any personal information to get theirs. But that isn't stopping scammers from sending fake IRS text messages saying that they do. When people click on the link in the scam texts, they're usually taken to a fake IRS website that asks them to hand over personal information like their Social Security number and banking information. "That's everything a scammer needs to commit full-blown identity theft," Kain said. On top of that, scammers can also use the information to file a tax return in your name and steal your potential refund. That all may sound daunting, but experts say that most scams can be avoided if people just take a moment to stop and think. Here are a few tips from the IRS and the experts for staying alert. Don't panic: Taxes are stressful, but scammers will try to take advantage of your anxiety by adding a sense of urgency to their messages. They might say your refund is in jeopardy or that you might face jail time if you don't hand over your information, make a payment or download their software right away. Demands like these are big red flags, Karnik says. File early: The IRS accepts the first return they receive, Kain says. The earlier you file, the less time cybercriminals have to use your identity to commit fraud. Don't forget, if you need more time, you can file for an extension. Watch out for phishing and smishing: The IRS never sends unsolicited emails or texts. Skip the links and attachments and go straight to the IRS or the applicable state and city websites. In general, don't reply to emails or texts sent from unknown sources. And definitely don't open attachments from people you don't know or send them your personal information like your Social Security number or tax ID. Be wary of weird payment methods: Requests for tax payments in cashiers checks, wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency are all scams. The IRS doesn't accept any of these, Karnik says. Know who you're dealing with: If you're self-filing online, make sure you're using a reputable service and make sure you're using the right website for that service. If you hire someone to do it for you, make sure they're who they say they are. Check credentials and qualifications using the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers. Get a PIN: Taxpayers who can validate their identities with the IRS can obtain an identity protection PIN, a six-digit code that prevents a cybercriminal from filing a fraudulent tax return with your Social Security number. This is an especially good idea if you've been a victim of fraud in the past, Kain says. Always use good passwords and 2FA: These are both a must for any account related to your tax returns and documents. Make sure you're using good antivirus software and that it, along with your operating system, is up to date. While you're at it, back up your tax information to a removable drive or encrypted cloud storage. Paper copies and drives should be securely stored. Shred everything: Tax documents that are no longer needed must be properly destroyed. Dumpster diving still happens. Don't be tempted to toss them in the trash or recycling. Fight back against fraud: If you discover someone has filed a tax return in your name, complete a paper return and include form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit). Report the fraud to local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission. Monitor your credit reports and account statements and contact the three major credit bureaus to ask for a freeze so that no one can request new credit in your name.
