FBI issues warning against using public phone charging stations

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning to anyone who uses public charging stations for their phones and other devices.

Free charging stations are a fairly common and seemingly helpful addition to airports, hotels, shopping centres and more - but now, the FBI is warning that ‘bad actors’ have found ways to infect your devices with malware or other tracking software.

Instead, the FBI recommends that you use your own charger and USB cable and plug that directly into the electrical outlet.

On its website, the FBI states: “Everyday tasks—opening an email attachment, following a link in a text message, making an online purchase—can open you up to online criminals who want to harm your systems or steal from you. Preventing internet-enabled crimes and cyber intrusions requires each of us to be aware and on guard.”

It then goes on to suggest people don’t use the free charging station.

“Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels, or shopping centres,” the warning continues.

Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead. pic.twitter.com/9T62SYen9T

— FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) April 6, 2023

“Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices that access these ports. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead.”

The FBI also recommends that people exercise caution when connected to public networks - such as those available in airports and hotels - and to hold-off making any purchases or taking part in any other sensitive transactions while using public Wi-Fi.

Those who are handing over money online are urged to ‘examine the email address in all correspondence and scrutinise website URLs’ as well as thoroughly checking all payment requests; and to never click links in an unsolicited email.

According to recent data from the FBI, Americans lost a staggering $10.3 billion to internet scams in 2022.

The amount lost hit a five-year high, while the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Centre (IC3) reportedly logged more than 2,000 complaints per day.

Of the $10.3 billion, $3.1 billion of that was scammed from elderly people - the most of any age group - meaning it might not be a bad idea to check that your parents, grandparents and other older relatives know what to look out for.

Call-centre scams, which are usually operating from overseas, ‘overwhelmingly’ target older people, according to the report.

"Call-centres overwhelmingly target the elderly, with devastating effects," the report says. "Almost half the victims report to be over 60 (46 percent), and experience 69 percent of the losses (over $724 million)."