Cyber Alert: Step up your security game? #USDOJ

Hackers and scammers are aggressive, patient, and relentless; they work tirelessly to steal all that you have worked hard to obtain. These criminals study the mastery of intimidation, theft, and manipulation. Everyone is at risk of becoming a target, regardless of age, gender, location, or social status. As criminals level up, step up your security game. Here are a few tips that I believe will help you prevent identity theft and identity fraud:

1. Shop only on secure sites or apps which have been downloaded from a reliable

source, such as the Apple App Store or Android Play Store.

2. Never share sensitive information. Look for the lock symbol on a trusted website

before entering your information.

3. Avoid using debit cards for in store and online purchases. Instead, use one

designated major credit card or payment service, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. If

possible, add fraud or identity theft protection to your cards.

4. If a touchpad or keypad looks suspicious, do not use it. Also, do not enter your pin

after using touch less payment options if you are a stranger to the environment.

5. Beware of pop-up messages. Do not click on pop-up messages that appear instantly

or frequently.

6. Block third party cookies. Clear the browsing history after each online session.

Cookies track your activity and remember the website that you have visited.

7. Never click on a link delivered to you in an unexpected email.

8. Validate an email by hovering over the email address from the sender to determine

whether the email address is valid.

9. Beware of emails that incorrectly spell your name or identify you with general

information. Phishing emails are often intimidating and aim to cause individuals to

reveal their personal identifiable and financial information for fraudulent purposes.

10. Strengthen your password security on all shopping apps and accounts. Delete auto

fill entry on websites. Choose a strong password that cannot easily be guessed. If

necessary, use a password generator to create a strong password.

11. Be sure to update your passwords regularly. Update your passwords every six

months if you do not feel comfortable changing the passwords every ninety days. Do

not use the same password for multiple accounts.

12. Connect only to secure networks. Avoid using untrusted public Wi-Fi (when

possible).

13. Keep all your devices' security software, apps, web browsers, and operating systems

up to date.

14. Do not yield to the pressure from e-mails that demand immediate payment for

unexpected bills.

15. Report spam calls as junk, and block them. If possible, add a spam blocker feature

to your cellular plan.

16. Do not give a caller access to log into your accounts or electronic devices via

telephone. Apple, Dell, IRS, Social Security Administration, and other major companies

will not contact you via text or email about accessing your account.

17. Monitor your credit report via a free credit report annually. If suspicious activity is

noted, file a dispute with the credit bureau.

18. If your confidential information is exposed due to a breach from a company that you

have an account with, place a free credit freeze on your credit report for one year.

19. When speaking via telephone with companies that you trust, access your account

with the account number instead of your social security number.

20. Do not store passwords and social security numbers in your phone. If so, your

identity could be stolen if your iCloud is hacked or your phone is stolen.

21. Never share your social security number, credit card numbers, or account numbers

with anyone that you do not trust.

22. Opt out of all pre-approved loan and credit applications.

23. Use two step authentications to log into your accounts. Store passwords,

checkbooks, and credit cards in a safe place.

24. If your personal information is discovered on the dark web due to a data breach,

change your telephone number and account passwords.

25. Closely monitor your bank account more often and more closely than you checked it

before. Hackers will access your accounts and debit a small miscellaneous charge that

you may not pay close attention to. Once you ignore or allow the small transaction, you

become a target for larger and more frequent transactions.

26. Carefully discard your mail. Your name, picture, and address can be used to steal

your identity.

27. Beware of title theft. Pay attention to your loan statements.

28. Create a strong password for your router. Monitor the router activity. Lock your

router to block unwanted public access to your WiFi and router.

29. Do not enter personal information when using public computers. When entering

personal information on your electronic devices, use a privacy screen, and be sure that

no one is looking over your shoulder.

30. Discuss personal information in a private setting where your conversation

cannot be overheard. Do not disclose personal account numbers in a crowded area.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutes cases of identity theft and identity fraud. You may refer to the DOJ website for information on how to resolve a case if you ever become a victim of these crimes. The most common phishing emails that I receive are PayPal and USPS spam emails. After placing online orders, I usually receive spam emails that include fake USPS tracking numbers. The emails usually state that I must enter my address so that my package can be delivered to the correct address. The emails also asks to bill me an additional $3 for redelivery attempts. When in doubt, track packages at www.usps.com, and use the direct site for all communication instead of using a third party website.

As a rule of thumb, if spelling and grammar errors are present, the email is likely spam.

If the email contains gifts and offers that are too good to be true, the email is likely spam. During the peak of the housing market and bidding wars in 2021, wishful homeowners were swindled out of earnest money by scammers who posed as sellers. Scammers and hackers are betting on you, so keep your eyes open. Do not second guess yourself when it comes to your identity and your bag!

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ7xmEpJUOBLgL4ofqKEtfNd_Nw0VB8ElbDb2MpVWFuUg&s