Tag: alert

Consumer Tech Traps: How Storage Scams Trick Users and How to Protect Your Devices

We’re all annoyed by storage alerts, but we still need them to keep our devices running smoothly. Smartphone and computer users see these notifications when space is running low. Most people quickly respond to avoid performance issues. This habit created an opportunity that scammers know how to exploit. 

One of the most common tactics is based on a fake “disk full” warning, which appears as a system-like notification or a browser pop-up. The alert imitates real operating system messages, so it’s difficult for most users to recognize it’s fake at first glance. If you engage, you’ll be redirected to a page that promotes a suspicious app presented as a quick fix.

These scams are designed to feel urgent and legitimate. The message pushes you to act immediately, warning you about potential data loss. To understand how storage scams trick users, you must recognize the subtle signs that show you’re not being offered a legitimate tool. Even cautious users can be misled into entering payment details, so everyone needs to improve their phishing awareness.

Why Storage Alerts Work as a Scamming Strategy

Storage warnings are designed to lead to immediate action. When a device is low on space, its performance degrades. Some apps may stop working properly, so the user feels they have to fix the issue as quickly as possible. This sense of urgency is exactly what makes the alerts effective, but also easy to imitate. 

Scammers take advantage of this user behavior. They create messages that look like official system notifications. The alerts copy the design, language, and structure of real operating systems, so they seem trustworthy at a glance. For users who aren’t deeply familiar with system settings, it’s not easy to distinguish between a legitimate and a fake warning. 

Real storage notifications come from system settings. Scam messages, on the other hand, are triggered through web browsers or redirects. Then how can they trick users? These fake messages are designed to look identical to system pop-ups. Many users never notice the difference. 

First Step to Protection: Learn How Storage Scams Trick Users 

When you understand how these fake alerts work, it will be easier for you to recognize them. Although the design varies, most of these scams follow a pattern. 

  • Fake system warning

The process starts with a pop-up or redirect that displays a message. It might be something like “Your disk is full” or “Storage critically low.” These alerts show up while browsing, clicking on ads, or visiting compromised websites. They look like system-level notifications, using familiar icons and phrases.  

  • Redirect to a fake solution

If you interact with the alert, you’ll be taken to a page that offers a quick fix. This may be shown as a cleaning tool or security utility. Yes; there are legitimate apps that can help you deal with storage. But they are never promoted through “low storage” alerts. Fake pages usually include progress bars, scan results, and warnings that make the situation seem serious. 

  • Installation or payment trap

At this stage, users are encouraged to download software or subscribe to a service. Sometimes the app is unnecessary, but harmless. But in some cases, it may track your activity or request payments for features that won’t solve any real issues. 

Trends and Statistics on Storage Scam Messages

Storage scams are a part of a general increase in online frauds. Recent data shows how quickly the problem is growing. According to the Federal Trade Commission, over $12.5 billion losses to fraud were reported in 2024. That’s a 25% increase compared to the previous year. A big part of these scams were through Internet services, and younger people reported losing money to fraud more frequently than older people.  

The FTC also reported that people lost $3 billion to online scams. We’re seeing a decline in frequency for the traditional methods, such as calls and emails. The fact that these scams are becoming more effective is concerning. Phishing and impersonation tactics are strong entry points. Scammers use believable messages that mimic trusted systems. 

Unfortunately, these scams are effective. The increase in the percentage of targets who lost money shows that the messages are convincing. Storage scams aren’t isolated incidents. They are a part of a larger system of phishing attacks that keep evolving. 

Signs of a Storage Scam

Raising awareness about the warning signs of storage scams is important for improving consumer tech security. These messages do look convincing, but there are a few clear indicators that something isn’t right:

  • The alerts look like system messages, but they appear in the browser. The real storage warnings come from your device’s operating system. They won’t show up from a web page or a pop-up. 
  • Aggressive and urgent prompts are always suspicious. Don’t trust messages like “immediate action required.” Their goal is to pressure you into clicking without thinking too much. 
  • Once you engage with the message, an unfamiliar app will be recommended. Real systems don’t push unknown software as a solution to storage issues. 
  • Fake tools produce too-good-to-be-true scan results. They claim to find dozens of issues in an instant, even before they perform a real scan. 
  • Unexpected redirects are a clear sign of a sign. If you’re taken to an external website that is nowhere near the official app store, don’t trust it. 
  • Any demand for payments or sensitive data is suspicious. 

Being able to recognize the signs of an online scam is the only way to reduce the risks. Stay alert and follow basic security practices, so you’ll avoid falling for these threats. 

Fraud Alert: new ‘Live chat’ scam to gain remote access to customers’ PCs and banking information

Bank of Ireland is warning about a new wave of fraud that has been targeting customers of banks in Europe, the UK, the US, Australia, and New Zealand and is now in operation in Ireland.  The fraudsters are mainly targeting business banking customers at this time, duping them into allowing remote access to their computers and bank accounts.

Reports of this type of scam to Bank of Ireland’s fraud line are increasing daily, as the fraud gang target Irish customers.

This spike in fraudulent activity has occurred as Bank of Ireland launch a major national fraud awareness campaign to warn customers of the prevalence of fraud, with 96% of consumers believing they will be targeted in the next six months, and 82% saying they are targeted at least once per month.

What happens?

  1. The customer gets a phone call from someone claiming to be from Bank of Ireland.
  2. The caller asks the customer to log into their online banking as normal.
  3. The caller (fraudster) then asks the customer to go to another new website address, saying that this is: “for a live chat service” or “to verify the customer’s PC”, but in reality it allows the fraudster remote access to the customer’s PC.  The fraudster can now see the customer’s screen and access all of the customer’s files and programmes.
  4. The caller will set up payments on the customer’s online banking and ask the customer to read out the one-time codes from their BOI app to approve the payments.Bank of Ireland’s advice 
  1. If you get a call from someone who asks you to go to a website or to click on a link that they will send to you, just hang up. 
  2. Never allow a caller to take remote access of your PC.
  3. If someone asks you for a one-time code from your online banking app, they are a fraudster.  Never, ever share those codes with anyone, even if they say they are from Bank of Ireland.
  4. Be very careful when logging on to your online banking website.  The safest thing is to type in the website address yourself or to log in through the main Bank of Ireland website at bankofireland.com 

Commenting on the current wave of fraudulent messages, Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: “Fraudsters operate a range of scams that target people, all designed to access people’s bank account details or dupe them into transferring money. This new scam is of particular concern as fraudsters are convincing people to allow access to their PCs via a fake ‘live chat’, where they can access Business customers’ online banking, and other personal files and information.  

“We are urging customers to take extra care when logging into their online banking, to ensure it is a legitimate site.  People are currently being directed to fake sites, receiving follow-up phone calls from fraudsters and then being convinced to allow remote access. This scam is multi-layered and the international nature of the scam shows that it has been highly effective for the fraudsters elsewhere.   

“Unfortunately fraud has become an everyday part of people’s lives. We know that 96% of people surveyed by Red C say they expect to be personally targeted by a fraudster in the next six months and 82% say they receive a fraudulent attempt at least once a month.  Most people who have been a victim of fraud said they fell for the scam because they were distracted or too busy at the time. Which underlines the need for vigilance.  

 That’s why we are reminding customers that, often, all is not what it seems while fraudsters continue to masquerade as trusted businesses and organisations.   The message is: Stop, Think, Check – access your banking only through the official website or by typing in a website address and treat every unsolicited call, text or email as a potential fraud attempt”.  

Bank of Ireland has introduced a new national advertising campaign reminding customers that fraudsters are active on a daily basis and to ‘Stop, Think, Check’ in all transactions relating to their banking or personal information.

For more advice and information on fraud, visit Security Zone