Watch Out for Omicron Variant Scams

Omicron, a new variant of the COVID-19 virus, is quickly spreading across the globe. This unfortunate news is only made worse by cybercriminals who are creating Omicrom-themed phishing scams. 

In a recent phishing e-mail, cybercriminals impersonate the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS). The e-mail appears to be an offer for a new COVID-19 Omicron PCR test. If you click the link within the e-mail, you’re sent to an NHS look-alike website where you are asked to provide your personal details and payment information. Any information you enter on this fake webpage is delivered straight to the cybercriminals. 

Follow these tips to avoid similar phishing attacks:

• Although the scam is to impersonate the NHS, you may also see hackers from other countries using a similar scam. Watch out for suspicious e-mails from both local and global health organizations.
• Never click on a link within an e-mail that you weren’t expecting, even if the e-mail appears to come from an organization you recognize.
• Stay informed about the Omicron variant by following local news and other trusted sources.