Though there are many different types of scams, the objective is the same: to steal your money or information. Consider these tips to help protect yourself online.
Tip #1
Never provide your personal or financial information to anyone unless you initiated the call or other communication, and avoid sharing private details on social media, including information like your birthdate or address. Check your privacy settings regularly as well.
Tip #2
Use a digital wallet to make purchases in stores, in-app and online. Digital wallets replace your actual card number with a unique digital card number. This means businesses cannot see or store your full card number. It can be an easier and more secure purchase method than sharing your card info directly.
Tip #3
If you receive a suspicious email or text message, don’t respond, click on any links, or open attachments. Don’t sign on to any of your accounts from a login link in a suspicious message.
Tip #4
Secure your home router with a strong password to help protect devices on your network from unauthorized access. Consider a router with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA3) encryption.
Tip #5
Create a unique username and password for your online accounts and don't use any part of your email address. For your password, use an uncommon phrase that includes a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters, for example: Iliketogive99!Presents. The longer the password, the better. Also be sure to protect your online passwords. Don’t write them down or share them with anyone, including family or friends.