As we approach the first anniversary of pandemic lockdowns becoming commonplace in this country, we are beginning to see some of the unexpected by-products of the COVID era.
The list is actually quite significant: we’re drinking more and we’re saving more, we spend more time on-line, we binge watch TV, we’re learning to use new technology like Zoom. We’re spending on our houses and we’ve picked up some old hobbies like knitting.
And with these things come both the planned and the unexpected. The on-line activity is a case in point. While we’re spending more time on the Internet, so our cyber criminals. Phishing activity is up about 60% according to an IT Security publication.
And a report from RBC says cyber-romance is becoming a major threat. They list it as the top financial fraud danger right now with losses approaching $20 million in this country. Social distancing and lockdowns have heightened feelings of loneliness, something criminals can exploit. Posing as romantic interests, they try to establish a relationship in hopes of getting money or information they can use in blackmail.
