Beware Ridgewood Water “boil water notice” is Fake and a Phishing Scam

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Water has been made aware of a scam circulating on the web. It claims that there was a positive e. coli test and that the Ridgewood Water service area is under a boil water notice. This is not accurate or real. The fake message provides a link that directs the victim to a contact sheet requesting personal information. Please share this information regarding the scam and be vigilant.

Please do not click on any links associated with this message. It is fake. Ridgewood Water has not issued a Boil Water Notice. The scam sends you to a link where it asks for contact information. Do not provide this site any information. If Ridgewood Water was to issue such an alert, you would have received a call or voice message through our Mass Notification System. Please warn your neighbors about the scam. Ridgewood Water’s service area is NOT under a Boil Water Notice.

This is known as a phishing scam, a phishing scam is a type of cyberattack in which cybercriminals impersonate legitimate organizations or individuals to deceive people into providing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal identification details. These scams are typically carried out through email, but they can also occur via other communication channels like phone calls, text messages, or fake websites. Here’s how a phishing scam typically works:

1. Bait: The attacker creates a message or communication that appears to come from a trusted source, such as a well-known company, a government agency, a bank, or a friend. They often use official logos, branding, and email addresses that mimic the legitimate entity.
2. Hook: The message contains a convincing story or reason to entice the recipient into taking action. This could involve urgent matters, like account security issues, account suspension, a prize or reward, or a financial transaction that requires immediate attention.
3. Deception: Phishing messages often include a link to a fake website or an attachment that, when clicked or opened, directs the victim to a website that looks nearly identical to the legitimate one. This fake site is designed to collect sensitive information.
4. Information Request: Once on the fake website, the victim is prompted to enter sensitive information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, social security numbers, or personal details. Sometimes, the attacker may also request payment for a supposed service or fine.
5. Data Theft: When the victim submits their information, it is captured by the attacker. They can then use this information for various malicious purposes, including identity theft, unauthorized access to accounts, or financial fraud.
6. Exit Strategy: After obtaining the desired information, the attacker may redirect the victim to the legitimate website or provide a message claiming the issue has been resolved, leaving the victim unaware of the scam.

Phishing scams are successful because they exploit trust and urgency, making victims less likely to question the authenticity of the communication. To protect against phishing, individuals should be cautious when clicking links or opening attachments in unsolicited messages, verify the legitimacy of the sender, and refrain from providing personal or financial information unless they are certain of the source’s authenticity. Organizations also employ various security measures and employee training programs to mitigate the risk of falling victim to phishing attacks.

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