Hi everyone,
Phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and it’s important to recognize the signs to protect yourself. These scams usually arrive as texts or emails, pretending to be from trusted companies, often telling you there’s an urgent problem with your account, your payment information, or that suspicious activity has been detected. But don’t be fooled—these are attempts by cybercriminals to steal your personal and financial information.
How Phishing Scams Work: Phishing attacks are designed to create a sense of urgency or fear. They often claim that:
- There has been suspicious activity on your account.
- Your payment information needs updating or there’s an issue with a recent transaction.
- You need to verify or confirm personal information to avoid account suspension.
The messages may look legitimate, using familiar logos, fonts, and phrasing, but they’re designed to trick you into clicking links or downloading attachments that can compromise your device.
How to Stay Safe:
- Don’t Click Suspicious Links: If you receive an unexpected email or text claiming there’s an issue with one of your accounts, don’t click on any included links. Even just opening a link from a phishing scam could expose your device to malware.
- Verify Information Through Official Channels: Always go directly to the company’s official website or use a trusted app to check for any issues with your accounts. Avoid following links in messages you weren’t expecting.
- Keep Software Updated: Ensure your device’s operating system, browser, and security software are up-to-date to protect against vulnerabilities that phishing emails might exploit.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA for any online accounts that offer it. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password.
- Be Skeptical of Urgent Requests: Real companies rarely ask for sensitive information through emails or texts. If something feels off, take a moment to double-check with the company directly through a trusted source.
- Continue Using Incognito: For enhanced protection, keep using the Incognito app to scan your device and detect potential threats before they become a problem.
If you’ve clicked on a phishing link, immediately run a security scan on your device and change your passwords. If you’re concerned about compromised data, contact your financial institution for further advice.
Stay safe online, and be vigilant when managing your personal and financial information.
All the best,
Stephen McCormack