CBS News found that criminals have sent harassing texts, sent unwanted deliveries and called in fake bomb threats in a tactic called "swatting."
cybercrime, hacking and technology concept - hands of hacker in dark room writing code or using computer virus program for cyber attack
As social media continues to work its way into different parts of our lives, certain usernames are now coveted commodities.
People want clean, simple social media handles free of extra symbols, letters or numbers — and as a CBS News report found, they'll do almost anything to get them.
Some cybercriminals are going to extreme lengths to bully, harass, and extort social media users into giving up their usernames on sites like Instagram, Minecraft, Twitter, and Snapchat.
One extreme tactic is called "swatting," and federal officials tell CBS News it's happening more and more.
Cybercriminals are using various means of intimidation to get innocent social media users to give up their accounts. Then they turn around and sell the usernames on online marketplaces. CBS found that some usernames were being sold for as much as $25,000.
But some unsuspecting social media users, figuratively speaking, are paying a much higher cost.
"The schemes are actually resulting in violence and loss of life," Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite, who leads the criminal division at the Department of Justice, told CBS News.
Take the story of Mark Herring, a grandfather who signed up for the Twitter handle "@Tennessee"...
Read Full Story: https://www.wtsp.com/article/tech/cybercriminals-harassment-social-media-handles/67-9d57f7b6-9705-4c9c-a94a-941a33ffdc29
Your content is great. However, if any of the content contained herein violates any rights of yours, including those of copyright, please contact us immediately by e-mail at media[@]kissrpr.com.