Protect your finances by following these tips:
 
Fraud can strike anyone at any time, and with fraudulent activities increasing globally, it's crucial to be prepared and know how to respond if you encounter fraud. The most effective way to protect yourself is by recognizing the warning signs and taking steps to safeguard your personal information.


Guard Personal Information:

Never share personal details like Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords with unknown sources. 


Secure Online Accounts:

Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts and enable two-factor authentication.


Secure Password Tips: 

1. Use a long passphrase

      • For example, you can use a passphrase such as a news headline or even the title of the last book you read. Then add in some punctuation, number and capitalization.
2. Don't make passwords easy to guess.

3. Different account, different password.

4. Recommended length - 16 characters including uppercase, lowercase, number, and non-alphabetic characters (!, $, #, %)

 

 


Monitor Financial Statements:

Regularly check bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.


Verify Requests:

Confirm the legitimacy of requests for money or information, especially if they seem urgent or unusual.


Beware of Phishing:

Be cautious of emails, texts, or phone calls requesting personal information or urging immediate action.


These are examples of phishing texts:

                         



If you think you are a victim of fraud, please report it immediately. For more information, visit ID Theft and Fraud Reporting.