DHS Warns of ‘Tragedy-Related Scams’ After El Paso and Dayton Shootings

DHS Warns of ‘Tragedy-Related Scams’ After El Paso and Dayton Shootings

A Homeland Security agency and the FBI’s El Paso office are cautioning Americans to watch out for malicious "charity" emails and phone call scams.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • Aug 07, 2019

The Department of Homeland Security is warning Americans to watch out for scams and malware campaigns related to the mass shootings last weekend in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio that killed over 30 people and injured dozens more.

The department’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued the warning on Tuesday, advising users to avoid possible “malicious cyber activity seeking to capitalize on these tragic events.”

“Users should exercise caution in handling emails related to the shootings, even if they appear to originate from trusted sources,” the agency wrote. “Fraudulent emails often contain links or attachments that direct users to phishing or malware-infected websites.”

The statement noted that emails requesting donations from “duplicitous” charitable organizations are common after tragedies. Users should be wary not only of fraudulent emails but also social media pleas, calls, texts, websites and door-to-door solicitations related to the shootings, the agency said.

The warning came as the FBI’s El Paso office issued its own alert cautioning against “unscrupulous individuals” who may be contacting victims’ families claiming to be from a funeral home or medical examiner’s office. Despite the fact that all funeral services are being coordinated through Operation H.O.P.E. El Paso, the callers are asking for money to provide services for families’ loved ones, the FBI said.

“It’s likely a scam,” the bureau posted on Twitter. “If you receive such a call, please get as much information from the caller as possible, DO NOT give them any money, and contact the El Paso Police Department or FBI El Paso.”

Colin Bastable, the CEO of security awareness training company Lucy Security, advises Americans to treat all emails regarding the tragedy with “guarded skepticism,” particularly emails that appeal for money or ask users to sign petitions.

“By appealing to group loyalties and emotional responses such as fear and anger, hackers increase their hit rates,” Bastable said. “In that way, they are exploiting the same marketing techniques that some politicians are deploying to fundraise off the back of these and similar events.”

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

  • Unlocking Trustworthy AI: Building Transparency in Security Governance

    In situations where AI supports important security tasks like leading investigations and detecting threats and anomalies, transparency is essential. When an incident occurs, investigators must trace the logic behind each automated response to confirm its validity or spot errors. Demanding interpretable AI turns opaque “black boxes” into accountable partners that enhance, rather than compromise, organizational defense. Read Now

  • Seeking Innovative Solutions

    Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You may recognize these terms as the “5 Phases” of a grieving process, but they could easily describe the phases one goes through before adopting any new or emerging innovation or technology, especially in a highly risk-averse industry like security. However, the desire for convenience in all aspects of modern life is finally beginning to turn the tide from old school hardware as the go-to towards more user-friendly, yet still secure, door solutions. Read Now

  • Where AI Meets Human Judgment

    Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days. It is driving business growth, shaping consumer experiences, and showing up in places most of us never imagined just a few years ago. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.