Are You Staying Cyber Safe?

Are You Staying #CyberSafe?

Fraudsters are getting smarter every day, and it’s becoming increasingly common for people to become victims of cyber attacks. We have put together a comprehensive list of tips and tricks to help you be aware of and hopefully catch fraud going on around you.

Tips to ensure you stay cyber-secure:

• Listen to your gut. If something looks or feels out of place, you’re probably right. Call the business directly from the number on their website or on the back of your card to verify that whatever email or memo you received is legitimate.
• Never share passwords or personal information. You don’t know who you can trust online. People asking for sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and social security numbers are just trying to get access to your accounts for personal gain.
• #BanksNeverAskThat. Take a look at the website BanksNeverAskThat.com and familiarize yourself with things banks would never ask for so you don’t get tricked into giving a fraudster your information. If you accidentally do, call your bank immediately to note fraud on your account and secure your assets.
• Don’t respond to unknown numbers and emails. If you typically can’t tell whether or not it’s a scam call, a good rule of thumb is if don’t know who it is calling you, don’t pick up. If it’s important, they will probably leave you a message. If you don’t recognize an email address, do not respond or click any of the links or attachments found within the email. It could be a virus.
• Keep your passwords secure. Try not to include personal information within your password. Instead of just the name of your pet or best friend, try adding special characters (such as !,@,#,$,%,^) and numbers to enhance security.
• Verify everything before committing. Never send funds, change payment instructions, or adjust user permissions based on an email, IM, or any other single form of communication. Verify email or IM instructions by making a phone call to the requestor using a phone number you already have on file for them.
• Protect your phone. Always make sure you’re running on the software’s latest version. Protect your phone with a secure passcode, facial recognition, or Touch ID.

It’s important to report cyber attacks! File a complaint form on ic3.gov, email [email protected], or call (888) 282-0870.