Nashville Councilmembers Targeted by Cybercriminals
Nashville, Tenn. – In a surprising turn of events this weekend, three Metro Nashville councilmembers found themselves at the mercy of cybercriminals who decided to make a mockery of their online presence. Through Instagram, these tech-savvy crooks set up fake profile pages and targeted the councilmembers’ constituents, attempting to fish for personal information.
Understanding the Scam
The cyber trouble began over the weekend when the impersonators began following followers of Erin Evans, the councilmember for District 12. “Somebody said, ‘You must feel like you’ve made it because someone’s trying to clone you,’” Evans noted, while emphasizing, “which is totally not the case. But, it’s just annoying. And so many people deal with it all the time.” Her main goal is to ensure that her constituents do not fall victim to this scam.
According to the reports, the impersonators swiftly escalated their attempts by sending private messages to Evans’ followers touting a fake bail fund. They claimed a new government program could help people pay off debts and even suggested they could receive as much as $100,000 without any obligation to repay it. “They’re trying to take someone to most likely an application where they can fill it out, submit your Social Security Number, that kinda thing,” Evans explained. Thankfully, she mentioned, “So far, I’m not aware of anyone that’s taken the bait.”
Sharing the Spotlight
Evans isn’t the only councilmember in this pickle. District 3 Councilwoman Jennifer Gamble also discovered that her Instagram account had been spoofed. However, she acted quickly, reporting the fake account, and it was taken down by Instagram in no time.
Advice from the BBB
Lorneth Peters, vice president of marketing engagement with the BBB of Middle Tennessee, shared insights into how these scammers operate. “Scammers always pay attention to timing. What’s going on this time of year? It’s a lot to do with politics and elections,” Peters explained. They often target people who have influence in specific areas. Knowing that these kinds of fraud are opportunistic, Evans is planning to take extra precautions. She aims to enhance her social media presence and remind her constituents of the safest ways to reach her, minimizing the chance for these scammers to succeed.
Steps to Take if You’re Targeted
But what happens if you fall victim to such schemes? The BBB of Middle Tennessee has offered some straightforward advice. First off, if you think you’ve given out personal info to a cybercriminal, freeze your accounts immediately. Next, reach out to your credit card company for assistance. Lastly, it’s crucial to inform your friends and family about the situation so they can be cautious as well.
Looking for Solutions
As the investigations continue, local authorities are keen to crack down on this alarming rise in social media fraud. News outlets have been trying to reach out to Instagram regarding these fraudulent activities, but results are still pending.
For now, residents are reminded to stay vigilant and informed about how best to protect themselves from such unwanted intrusions.
