Cybersecurity can sound technical, but many scams succeed for simple reasons: urgency, distraction, and trust. The good news is that a few practical habits can meaningfully reduce your risk—without becoming a “tech person.”
The most common ways scammers reach you
- Email “phishing”: Messages that look legitimate (bank, delivery service, Medicare, even a friend) asking you to click a link or open an attachment.
- Text scams (“smishing”): Fake fraud alerts, package notices, or “unpaid toll” messages.
- Phone calls (“vishing”): Someone claiming to be your bank, the IRS, Social Security, or tech support.
- Imposter requests: A “family member” or “coworker” asking for gift cards, wire transfers, or sensitive info.
Best practices to avoid being scammed
1) Slow down and verify
Scams often rely on urgency: “Act now or you’ll be locked out.” Instead:
- Pause before clicking or sending money.
- Verify using a trusted method: call the company using the number on your statement or official website (not the number in the message).
2) Don’t click links you didn’t request
If you get an unexpected message:
- Type the organization’s website directly into your browser.
- Use your bank’s official app.
- Avoid opening attachments unless you’re certain they’re legitimate.
3) Use stronger sign-in protection
- Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever available.
- Use unique passwords for important accounts (email, banking, Social Security portals). A password manager can help, but even a written list stored securely at home is better than reusing the same password everywhere.
4) Protect your devices
- Keep automatic updates turned on for your phone, tablet, and computer.
- Use a screen lock (PIN, fingerprint, or face ID).
- Be careful on public Wi‑Fi. Avoid logging into financial accounts unless you’re on a trusted network.
5) Treat financial requests as a red flag
Be extra cautious if someone asks for:
- Gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto payments
- Your password, verification code, or remote access to your computer Legitimate institutions typically won’t request these in the way scammers do.
If you think you’ve been targeted
- Stop communicating with the sender/caller.
- Contact your bank/card provider promptly.
- Change passwords (starting with email and financial accounts).
- Monitor accounts and credit for unusual activity.