(COLORADO) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver Field Office is warning of an increase in scams involving free online document converter tools.
According to the FBI, criminals use free online document converter tools to load malware onto victims’ computers, leading to incidents such as ransomware. To conduct the scheme, cybercriminals across the globe use any type of free document converter or downloader tool.
This may be a website claiming to convert one type of file to another, such as a .doc file to a .pdf file. It might also claim to combine files, such as joining multiple .jpg files into one .pdf file. The converters and downloading tools will do the task as advertised, but the resulting file can contain hidden malware giving criminals access to the victim’s computer.
The converters can scrap submitted files for:
Personal identifying information, such as social security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, and more
Banking information
Cryptocurrency information (seed phrases, wallet addresses, etc.)
Email addresses
Passwords
“The best way to thwart these fraudsters is to educate people so they don’t fall victim to these fraudsters in the first place,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “If you or someone you know has been affected by this scheme, we encourage you make a report and take actions to protect our assests. Every day, we are working to hold these scammers accountable and provide victims with the resources they need.”
FBI Denver says many victims don’t realize they have been infected by malware until it is too late, and their computer is infected with ransomware or their identity has been stolen. The law enforcement agency encourages individuals to take the following steps to protect themselves from this scam:
Take a breath, slow down, and think. Be aware of your actions online and what risks you could be exposed to.
Keep your virus scan software up to date and scan any file you receive before opening it to help eliminate malicious software from being installed on your computer.
If you are a victim of this scam, FBI Denver recommends taking the next steps:
Contact your financial institutions immediately. Take steps to protect your identity and your accounts.
Change all your passwords using a clean, trusted device.
Make a report at IC3.gov.
Run up-to-date virus scan software to check for potentially malicious software installed by the scammers. Consider taking your computer to a professional company specializing in virus and malware removal services.
