As online and phone hackers get more creative and persistent, it is important to be aware of the common scams and ways to protect yourself and your personal information from falling into the wrong hands.

Phishing Email Scams:
A large majority of security breaches and scams begin with malicious emails, links and attachments from sources that look legitimate at first glance. Many times, these emails look like they come from your bank or financial institution, legitimate companies, or social media sites, etc. You may then be prompted to put your login credentials into the site where you are directed. Be careful about following links or opening email attachments unless you are certain it comes from the real source. Look closely at the sender’s email address, watch out for typos, and do not provide your personal information to any unverified website.

Phone Scams:
One of the most common phone scams is one we have all probably received – you answer your phone and hear the words, “I am calling regarding your vehicle’s extended warranty”. These are not from your actual car dealership or manufacturer and are likely hoping to get personal and sensitive information from you. Another common scam, especially as the holiday season approaches, is a call regarding your Amazon account. In this case, you will receive a call with someone stating your Amazon account has suspicious activity, and they will proceed to ask questions about your login information, account numbers, and more. A good rule of thumb is to never give out your passwords, bank information, social security number, or any other sensitive information on the phone. If someone is asking for this information on a phone call you did not initiate, it is likely a scam.

Tips to Keep Your Information Safe:

1. Change Old Passwords – chances are that you previously used (or still do use) your own name, pet’s name, birthdates, or other easily detectable words as your passwords. It is time to ditch those and reset passwords to something more confidential.
2. Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers, especially at odd hours.
3. Use multifactor authentication – requiring a secondary verification to get into your account helps prevent hackers, so even if they have your password, they won’t be able to access your account.
4. Keep a close eye on your bank accounts – if your information has been exposed, it is better to catch it sooner than later and close any accounts that were compromised

If you believe that you are a victim of identity theft, call Lardiere McNair & Stonebrook, Ltd. LPA, to set up a consultation at 614-534-1355.