Attackers are sending fake notifications about checking the hot water outage schedule via email, messengers, and social networks. This was announced by David Adams, CEO of the professional legal group AID, lawyer.
Taking advantage of people's habit of such messages, attackers send emails and messages in messengers and social networks allegedly on behalf of management companies, municipal services, or even public services portals. The body of the letter contains a phrase like "Find out when the hot water will be turned off at your address" or "Check when the hot water will be turned off in your house" and a link leading not to an official resource, but to a fake site or to the installation of malicious software.
The specialist noted that going to fake sites can lead to the termination of a session on a social network, as well as the interception of access to a user's profile for sending unwanted advertising. In addition, attackers can install malicious software on the device that will collect logins, passwords, and bank details.
The specialist also noted that there are cases when attackers create fake sites that mimic official government resources and offer to enter personal data. Adams named the signs of a fraudulent site.
Firstly, the style of the letter itself is excessively panicky, with spelling and punctuation errors, often without addressing by name. Secondly, the domain name of the resource may look similar to a well-known site, but contain extra letters, hyphens, or suspicious endings. Thirdly, if the browser warns of a possible threat when clicking on a link, this should be taken seriously, but such warnings do not always pop up.
If the user still clicked on the link and entered their data, it is important to quickly change passwords, disable autofill in the browser, and check the device with an antivirus program. If a debit is detected from bank accounts, it is necessary to contact the bank and report unauthorized transactions. Also, record the incident by contacting the police, including through the Ministry of Internal Affairs website or the "Gosuslugi" portal.
The lawyer drew attention to the fact that information about the hot water outage schedule is posted exclusively on the official websites of local governments, management companies, and organizations responsible for heat supply. He also noted that residents can find this information on their own on the city portal.
Since 2025, scammers in Russia have started using a new scam: they send their victims for loans to microfinance organizations. This happened because banks have strengthened the protection of their applications, and now it has become much more difficult to steal money through them.
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