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
Public WiFi Security Risks and How to Stay Safe Quick Take Public wifi security threats are real, but they’re also completely manageable with the right precautions. The single most important thing you can do: use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) whenever you connect to public wifi. A VPN encrypts all your internet traffic, making it … Read more
Vishing: Phone Call Scams and Voice Phishing Quick Take Vishing (voice phishing) is when scammers call you pretending to be from your bank, credit card company, government agency, or tech support to trick you into revealing passwords, Social Security numbers, or other personal information. The single most important protection: never give personal information to someone … Read more
Tech Support Scams: Fake Microsoft and Apple Calls Quick Take The most important thing to know: Legitimate tech companies never cold-call you about computer problems. If someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or any tech company saying your computer is infected or compromised, it’s a scam. Hang up immediately. These tech support scams … Read more
Job Scams: Fake Employment Offers to Avoid Quick Take Job scams trick victims into providing personal information or money by posing as legitimate employers offering fake positions. The single most important protection: never give your Social Security number, banking details, or pay any fees until you’ve verified the company and received a legitimate job offer … Read more
