By Antonio Porretta
Our lives were already becoming increasingly more digital. Now, with working remotely and relying on technology to communicate with everyone from doctors to friends to family members, we are living online more than ever. Unfortunately, some try to take advantage of this unique situation, so cybercrime and fraud have increased as well.
On March 20, 2020, the FBI released a public service announcement due to a rise in COVID-related fraudulent activity. (1) Some common scams include a multitude of phishing emails that:Â
- Claim to contain helpful information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Attempt to sell counterfeit medical supplies, including fake vaccines, cures, and testing kits
- Ask for charitable contributions and financial relief
- Request personal information to receive government stimulus checks and airline refunds
In these uncertain times, it’s best to be extra vigilant when protecting yourself from criminal activity. Here are three tips you can use today to practice good cybersecurity habits.
1. Screen Your Emails
Phishing emails try to trick you into clicking links, downloading attachments, or giving up personal information. To prevent this from happening, screen every email for the following red flags:
- Requests for personal information. If you get a COVID-related email asking for your Social Security number or financial information, delete it. The government will never reach out to you by phone, email, or text asking for this information.
- Emails urging you to act now. Phishing emails try to pressure you into acting immediately—or else you’ll face dire consequences. If an email is pressuring you into clicking a link or giving up personal information, don’t do it. Delete the email instead.
- Incorrect email addresses. Scammers are smart. They’ll usually send an email with a legitimate name so that you’ll think you can trust the information inside. But if you hover over the email address, it’s usually not legitimate. The email address may be slightly misspelled (e.g., using .com instead of .gov) or it could be a long string of letters and numbers that don’t make any sense.
- Generic greetings. Most phishing emails start with a generic greeting like “Hello, sir / Dear madam.†If you get an email that starts with a vague greeting, delete it.
- Spelling and grammatical mistakes. Phishing emails are usually littered with spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. If you get an email that has these mistakes, there’s a good chance it’s not legitimate.
2. When In Doubt, Make A Phone Call
If you get a suspicious email, text, or phone call, don’t click any links, don’t press any buttons, and don’t give up any personal or payment information. Instead, call the company through its official site and ask if they’ve tried to contact you. If they haven’t, delete the suspicious communication or report it as spam.
Remember, companies and government agencies will never call, text, or email you asking for personal or payment information. When in doubt, don’t give it out. Verify the information instead.
3. Secure Your Financial Accounts
Stay on the defense by keeping your financial accounts as secure as possible. Here are three steps you can take today:
- Create strong, unique passwords. You should have a different username and password for every account. I know, that’s a lot to keep up with. That’s why we recommend using a password vault software like LastPass to store them all.
- Enable two-factor authentication. This feature adds an extra layer of security to your accounts because it requires you to verify your identity before you log in—usually through a security code sent to your phone or a fingerprint or facial scan.
- Set up account alerts. You can set up alerts for unusual activity, new device logins, low account balances, password changes, and more. Even if you check your accounts frequently, setting up these alerts can help you stay on top of potentially fraudulent activity.
Protect Yourself
We’ll likely see more COVID-related fraud and cybercrimes as months go on. Stay vigilant and treat every phone call, text, and email from an unknown source with skepticism. If you or your family need financial guidance during these difficult times, we invite you to schedule a call with us at Blackbridge Financial. We’d love to virtually sit down with you and discuss any challenges you’re currently facing. To learn more, contact our office by emailing us at [email protected] or calling 704.960.9646.
About Antonio
Antonio Porretta is an independent wealth manager at Blackbridge Financial with 18 years of experience. He specializes in helping people create, distribute, and preserve their wealth. Antonio received an executive MBA from Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology in 2007 and also holds the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®) designation. Originally from Rochester, NY, Antonio has been a resident of Harrisburg, NC, since 2007. Outside of work, he enjoys playing soccer and tennis, coaching, and spending time with his wife, Laura, and their children, Cristiano, Victoria, and Matteo. To learn more about Antonio and how he can make a difference in your financial life, visit www.blackbridgefinancial.com.
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Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, a registered investment advisor. Independent Advisor Alliance and Blackbridge Financial are separate entities from LPL Financial.
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