Cybersecurity tips
9 June 2025
I am happy to pass along these tips that I received to prevent cybercrime.
Know the warning signs
Urgency — they pressure you to immediately transfer money or information: “I’m calling from a credit card / bank. We’re concerned about recent activity and need you to provide your password immediately.”
Emotional appeals — they may try to scare or excite you into action: “I can’t wait to meet you! Can you wire money for a plane ticket?”
Requests for secrecy — these requests often come with questionable motives: “Grandpa, I’m in trouble and need money. Please wire money right away — and don’t tell my parents!”
Take a proactive approach
A few simple steps can help you prevent cybercrime:
Monitor
Set up alerts with your accounts, so you can spot unusual account activity. And keep your contact info up to date, so the account can contact you if it detects suspicious activity.
Protect
Always keep sensitive information private, such as your Social Security number, passwords and one-time passcodes.
Verify
If someone contacts you unexpectedly, proceed with caution. It’s ok to hang up and call them directly using a trusted number.
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