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Scam with Apple Gift Cards… What We Need to Know

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Apple Gift Card Scams

Scams are being used more and more against people, especially companies, causing significant financial losses and customer problems. 

A series of scams occur by asking people to get payments over the phone for hospital bills, taxes, bail money, debt collection, and utility bills. Online fraud, which is lately causing a lot of issues, including one report mentioning that 1,000 frauds were arrested in 20 different countries, is dedicated to using many methods, including gift cards. 

This kind of scam is called confidence fraud. It is achieved by having scam artists pretend they are somebody people know and care about and play on their desire to help their friend. Once the scammers get the iTunes gift cards pictures, they cash in by selling the codes for a fraction of the retail price. 

According to Apple’s website, the latest scam of this kind involves the Apple gift card scam., with the iPhone parent stating, “if you think you’re the target of a scam involving Apple Gift Cards, App Store & iTunes Gift Cards, or Apple Store Gift Cards, you can call Apple at 800-275-2273 (U.S.) and say, “gift cards” when prompted.” 

The statement added that “the fraudsters are demanding codes from App Store & iTunes Gift Cards, Apple Gift Cards, or Apple Store Gift Cards; we want to make sure our customers know these scams.” 

After the cards have been bought, the victim is requested to pay by conveying the code(s) on the back of the card during a phone call with a person. 

It is worth mentioning that the App Store, iTunes and Apple Gift Cards are used to acquire goods and services from the Big Tech giant, including Apple Retail Stores, their official website, App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple Books, for subscriptions to its services like Apple Music, Apple News+, and Apple Arcade, or iCloud storage. 

Those cards can be delivered only to the Apple Online Store and at Apple Retail Stores. At the same time, the customer can be approached to use the cards for any other payment; they could most probably be the target of a scam and should immediately convey it to the police department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov

Tips to Avoid Becoming the Victim of a Scam 

To avoid becoming a victim of scams, people should never offer the numbers on a Gift Card to someone they do not know. Although Apple is known for its high-security protocols and has made it easy to delete accounts in case of frauds, the dangerous part is that when the numbers are provided to the scammers, the funds on the card will be spent before customers can contact Apple or law enforcement. 

Customers should not use their App Store & iTunes Gift Card, Apple Gift Card, or Apple Store Gift Card if they are not purchasing an item from any of Apple’s online stores, Apple Books, or for an Apple Music subscription or iCloud storage. 

Apple iTunes Gift card Scams 

Getting more into details, a Fredericton Canadian woman was the target of an iTunes gift card scams email that aimed to take advantage of the generosity of her contacts and friends. Hackers controlled her email account and then sent everyone in her contacts an email. 

In such incidents, where scammers ask for iTunes gift cards, users on the receiving end are not aware of the situation, placing them in a position of weakness, exposing them to such a trick. 

“I need a favor from you. I need to get iTunes gift cards for my niece because it’s her birthday, but I’m traveling. Can you pick them up from a store around you? I’ll pay you back as soon as I am back.” 

The surprise came when people who has actually decided to respond to the email request were notified to buy $200 worth of iTunes gift cards, scratch the back of the cards to reveal the PINs, take a photo of the PINs and send the picture back. 

iTunes Gift card Scam Refund 

An iTunes gift card scam refund is available by freezing the account. A spokesman from iTunes said that if a person contacts Apple Support after sending the gift card code – and the money has not been drained from the card – they can freeze the account and refund the money. However, Apple recommends people file a complaint with the FTC if the money is already gone. 

“We’ve witnessed a big spike in consumer losses related to iTunes gift cards and complaints,” said Karen Hobbs, a senior attorney at the Federal Trade Commission. 

“iTunes is a recognized name, but many people don’t understand how it works, and that’s what the scammers are counting on.” 

According to a warning issued on the FTC website, payments through iTunes gift cards are used to commit different types of phone scams. These include callers who pretend to be family members needing money to endure an emergency, phony debt collectors, and fake IRS agents. 

The U.S. Treasury Department issued a scam alert stressing that callers mimicking IRS agents or pretending to be with the Treasury Department are asking for payments on iTunes gift cards. 

iTunes Gift Card Scams Online Dating 

On the same note, customers should never agree to pay the IRS with iTunes gift cards leading to iTunes card scams.  

According to internet security specialist and blogger Brian Krebs, Russian cybercriminals have collected a dating scam package filled with English language shapes that tricksters can pick and choose from as they fool their victims along. 

It includes photographs of attractive women that users can personalize with romantic messages. At the same time, the scammer asks for money using emails that even tell the victims how to raise cash if they’re broke. 

Summary 

Technology has increased the possibility of cyberattacks and the threat of scamming, leading to the idea of protecting people’s data emerging to avoid scams such as the one involving Apple gift cards. Therefore, cybersecurity has become an essential element in the company’s strategies, especially the tech ones. 


Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the cybersecurity industry. Keep an eye on the cybersecurity news section to stay informed and updated with our daily articles. 

Journalist for 8 years in print media, with a bachelor degree in Political Science and International Affairs. Masters in Media communications.

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What are the Ethical Issues in Biometrics?

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Ethical Issues in Biometrics

What is biometric identification? It is the process through which unique biological characteristics are used in biometric identification to recognize and validate a person. These characteristics can be found in facial traits, eye structures, DNA, fingerprint patterns, and even handwriting. All this data that can be gathered on an individual inevitably brings up the ethical issues in biometrics that need to be addressed.

Facial recognition and fingerprint scans were previously the domain of security, and they were utilized for identification and law enforcement. However, increasingly more business and civil applications are using biometrics authentication. Due to this increased use, it is crucial to address the moral and ethical issues in biometrics when used in the creation of new application and technology.

Applied biometrics and corporate ethics have received little empirical study despite the widespread use of biometric technologies. As a result, there is plenty of room for future study to help us better comprehend the moral consequences of adopting this technology.

This article examines the ethical concerns associated with the use of biometric technology on the use of biometrics for non-security applications as well as the moral ramifications for business.

Ethical Issues in Biometrics and Privacy

Biometric data takes privacy concerns to a whole new level that typical data gathering only touches on. Digital identities can be forged, and anonymity on the web can be maintained to a degree if you know how. Also, digital data can be deleted – if we forget that Meta (Facebook) has been revealed to store deleted data, which is an ethical concern in itself.

The problem with biometric data is that it is unforgeable, unconcealable, and permanent, You can’t change your eye structure, your fingerprint, or your facial features. Big tech companies already have your face, fingerprints, and your voice recorded and stored via current biometric authentication systems – mainly used for unlocking your phone. That data will be there forever, and there is little that people can do about it besides avoid it In the first place.

While many companies still give users the option of using a good old fashion passcode to unlock their phones, as technology as a whole tends to do, the biometric alternative is slowly gaining more traction, and will one day become the norm, as it is hard to argue its convenience and security. You can’t accidentally leave your eyeball at home or forget your fingerprint. But in the same sense, you can’t change it. If your childish curiosity while browsing the web put a black spot on your record, there’s no changing that.

Therein lies the question of who if anyone should have access to such data. Today’s tech giants have all our data in their hands, that won’t change with the spread of biometric verification methods. Indeed, it will only increase targeting capabilities.

While the collection of biometric data on its own does not necessarily mean it will be shared, monetized, or abused in any way, it never the less requires clear and strict guidelines and regulations to be implemented around it. There are too many things that can be abused by the wrong party when the ethical issues in biometrics are not taken seriously, and if such limitations are not applied stringently.


Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Technology space to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.

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Oppo Reno 8 and Reno 8 Pro: Specs and Comparison   

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Oppo Reno 8

The Reno line of smartphones has always had a fantastic camera and an attractive design. The Reno 8 and 8 Pro include a 120Hz AMOLED display, the newest Dimensity chipsets, 80W fast charging, a 32-megapixel front camera, and triple 50-megapixel back cameras, among other notable features that make the Oppo Reno 8 and Reno 8 Pro high-quality yet affordable option for anyone. 

Here we compare the two latest Oppo phone series iterations and see what to expect from the flagship Oppo smartphone, and how the Oppo Reno 8 and the Oppo Reno Pro stack up against each other. 

Oppo Reno 8 Specifications 

The Oppo Reno 8 has a smaller 6.43-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,080 by 2,400 pixels, a 90Hz refresh rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It also runs Android 12 with ColorOS 12.1 on top. Additionally, the display has an 800 nits maximum brightness and a 20:09 aspect ratio. An octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 1300 SoC, up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage are all found within the Oppo smartphone. 

The Reno 8 has a triple back camera configuration for pictures and movies, with a 50-megapixel main sensor and an f/1.8 lens as its focal point. Additionally, there is a 2-megapixel macro camera with a 112-degree field of view and an 8-megapixel sensor coupled with an f/2.2 ultra-wide angle lens. 

The Reno 8 offers 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.3, GPS/A-GPS, NFC, and a USB Type-C connector as connection options. An accelerometer, light, gyroscope, magnetometer, and a proximity sensor are among the sensors on board. For biometric verification, the phone also has a fingerprint sensor hidden behind the display. A 4,500mAh battery inside the Oppo Reno 8 supports 80W Super Flash Charge quick charging. The phone weighs 179 grams and has dimensions of 160 x 73.4 x 7.67mm. 

Oppo Reno 8 Pro Specifications 

A 6.7-inch full-HD+ (1,080×2,412) AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection is included with the Oppo Reno 8 Pro. Running on top of Android 12 is ColorOS 12.1. Additionally, the display supports HDR10+ and is certified by Netflix HD, Amazon HDR, SGS Low Motion Blur, and SGS Low Blue Light. The MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Max SoC, which has eight cores, and up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM power the smartphone. Storage on the Oppo Reno 8 Pro is UFS 3.1 capable of up to 256GB. 

The Oppo Reno 8 Pro boasts a triple rear camera arrangement with a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 main sensor and an f/1.8 lens, an 8-megapixel sensor and an ultra-wide lens with an f/2.2 aperture and a 112-degree field of view, and a 2-megapixel macro camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Along with the MariSilicon X NPU, the phone’s camera will offer generally better performance in both bright and dim light. It has a 32-megapixel front-facing camera sensor with an f/2.4 lens for taking selfies and making video calls. 

The phone has 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.3, GPS/A-GPS, NFC, and a USB Type-C connector as connectivity options. An accelerometer, a light meter, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and a proximity sensor are among the sensors built into the phone. For biometric authentication, the phone also contains a fingerprint sensor underneath the touchscreen. The smartphone has a 4,500mAh battery that supports rapid charging at 80W Super Flash Charge. The phone weighs 183 grams and has dimensions of 161 x 74.2 x 7.34mm. 

Both the Oppo Reno 8 and Reno 8 Pro are prime smartphones that can fit any user’s preferences and can be considered premium smartphones on the cheaper side. If you like photography, you will be satisfied with the level of quality overall, but keep in mind that neither phone is particularly water resistant, so be careful where you take it.  


Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Technology sections to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles. 

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Electric Cars vs Gas Cars: How do They Compare Today

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Electric Cars vs Gas Cars

Many prefer the rumbling ‘vroom’ of a gasoline car to the soft hum of an electric vehicle, while others would rather just be satisfied in the knowledge that they are lessening their carbon footprint. Let’s look at the cold hard facts however, and compare electric cars vs gas cars

Electric Cars vs Gas Cars: Components

The amount of moving components is an important distinction between electric and gasoline-powered automobiles. While a gasoline-powered car contains hundreds of moving components, an electric vehicle just has one, the motor. Another significant distinction is that the electric car has fewer moving components. The electric car is more dependable and needs less routine maintenance. The maintenance needed for a gasoline-powered car ranges from routine oil changes, filter replacements, tune-ups, and exhaust system repairs to less frequent component replacements including water and fuel pumps, alternators, and so on.

Electric Cars vs Gas Cars: Maintenance

The expenses associated with maintaining an electric car are reduced since there are less maintenance requirements. The shaft, the only moving component of the electric motor, is extremely dependable and needs little to no maintenance. The controller and charger are electrical devices that require minimal to no maintenance because they have no moving components. Modern sealed lead acid batteries are maintenance free and utilized in electric cars nowadays. However, these batteries have a finite lifespan and will eventually need to be replaced. New batteries are being developed to increase the range of electric cars as well as the battery pack’s lifespan, perhaps eliminating the need to replace the battery pack throughout the course of the vehicle’s lifespan.

Electric Cars vs Gas Cars: Efficiency

In addition to being simpler and less expensive to repair than gasoline-powered vehicles, electric vehicles are also more cost-effective to run. The electric car will drive roughly 43 miles for $1 based on the efficiency of 3 miles/kwhr and the cost of power at 7 cents per kwhr. The gasoline-powered car will go roughly 18 miles based on the average gas mileage of 22 miles per gallon and the price of gasoline at $1.25 per gallon. As a result, an electric car may drive more than twice as far on a dollar’s worth of petrol.

Where Electric Falls Behind

There are still a number of difficulties for the owner of an electric car despite the fact that it will be less expensive to operate and maintain.

The primary issue is the restricted range offered by existing battery technology. The amount of driving distance possible utilizing the current batteries is between 50 and 150 miles. These ranges are being extended by new battery technologies, and prototypes of these batteries have shown ranges of up to 200 miles between recharging. Solar powered charging stations are being implemented in numerous places to decrease range anxiety towards electric vehicles

The lack of qualified service professionals to repair and maintain electric cars is another issue that faces their owners. A two-year associate degree program has been developed to train high school graduates to become proficient electric vehicle technicians, and training programs are being developed and made available to upgrade the conventional automotive technician with the skills needed to maintain an electric vehicle.

Infrastructure to recharge the batteries is also required. The most important component of the infrastructure for recharging already exists: electric power is accessible practically everywhere. To support the electric car, it is still necessary to guarantee that charging stations with the right sorts of service (i.e., maximum voltage and current) are placed in important areas. Plans must also be made.


Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Technology sections to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.

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