Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Spotting Phishing Scams
The scariest thing about October isn’t ghosts or ghouls, it’s leaving yourself vulnerable to cybercriminals.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and we want to make sure you only get treats this year, not tricks. Understanding common cyber threats is the first step toward keeping your personal and financial information secure.
Phishing is a type of scam where cybercriminals pretend to be someone else in order to gain your trust and access sensitive information. These scams can take many forms online including through text messages, phone calls, and social media. They may ask you to simply click on a link, confirm payment information, or send them gift card codes. If something feels suspicious, take a moment to pause and verify before responding to any requests.
Here are some tips to protect yourself online:
1. Examine the details
Is this coming from the account or email address you normally interact with? Or, is it another account with a very similar username? Are there any misspellings in their writing? Does it sound like the person that sent it?
Another red flag is their urgency. The cybercriminals want you to move quickly without thinking too hard about it. They will pressure you with quick deadlines and harsh consequences.
2. Verify the sender
Check with the supposed person through another form of communication. Call them to confirm it is really them that sent the message. Go to the source directly to determine before any next steps.
3. Don’t click the link
One method to steal your information is to download malware on your device when you click the link they’ve provided. If the link does not look correct, go to the website on your own. Double check the information with another source.
4. Enable multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication requires you to login through more than one channel. Typically, they will send a text message with a code to enter. This will block any unwanted attempts to enter your accounts, even if they have your password.
5. Stay ahead of the attack
If you think your information has been compromised, immediately freeze your First Citizens Community Bank card using Card Suite Lite. Freezing your card instantly blocks unauthorized purchases. The app will alert you of every transaction to avoid any surprise purchases.
Take control of your financial wellness, build your fraud education, and expand your financial literacy skills by exploring free tools and resources at https://firstcitizensbank.banzai.org/wellness.