Account Takeover Fraud: How It Happens and Prevention Quick Take Account takeover fraud happens when criminals gain access to your existing accounts — your bank, credit cards, social media, or email — and use them as if they were you. The single most important protection? Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on every account that offers it, … Read more
Financial identity theft: Protecting Your Money Quick Take Financial identity theft happens when criminals use your personal information to steal money, open accounts in your name, or make purchases you never authorized. The single most important protection? Freeze your credit at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). It’s free, takes 15 minutes, and stops … Read more
QR Code Scams: Quishing and How to Stay Safe Quick Take QR code scams — also called “quishing” (QR + phishing) — trick you into scanning malicious QR codes that steal your passwords, banking information, or install malware on your phone. The single most important protection: never scan a QR code you weren’t expecting, and … Read more
AI Scams: How Criminals Use Artificial Intelligence Quick Take AI scams use sophisticated technology to create convincing fake voices, faces, and messages that trick people into sending money or sharing sensitive information. The single most important protection: establish a family verification code word that only real family members know, and always verify unexpected urgent requests … Read more
Social Media Scams: Fraud on Facebook, Instagram, and More Quick Take Social media scams are fraudulent schemes that use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms to trick you into sending money, sharing personal information, or downloading malware. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to verify everything independently — if someone … Read more
Business Email Compromise: CEO Fraud Explained Quick Take Business email compromise (BEC) is one of the most financially devastating cybercrimes, where fraudsters impersonate executives or trusted partners to trick employees into wiring money or sharing sensitive information. The single most important protection: verify any unusual financial request through a separate communication channel — pick up … Read more
Grandparent Scam: Protecting Seniors from Fraud Quick Take The grandparent scam targets seniors by exploiting their love for family members. Criminals call pretending to be a grandchild in desperate need of money, often claiming they’re in jail, hospitalized, or stranded abroad. The single most important protection: establish a family code word or verification question that … Read more
Child identity theft: Protecting Your Kids Quick Take Child identity theft happens when criminals use your child’s Social Security number to open credit accounts, apply for loans, or commit other fraud — and it often goes undetected for years because children don’t typically check their credit reports. The single most important thing you can do … Read more
Medical identity theft: A Growing Healthcare Threat Quick Take Medical identity theft happens when criminals use your personal information — typically your Social Security number and insurance details — to fraudulently obtain medical care, prescription drugs, or file false insurance claims. The single most important protection? Review every medical bill and insurance explanation of benefits … Read more
ATM Skimming: How to Spot Card Readers Quick Take ATM skimming happens when criminals install fake card readers over legitimate ATM slots to steal your debit card information and PIN. The single most important protection: always cover your hand when entering your PIN — even if they capture your card data, they can’t access your … Read more
