Don’t Take the Bait: How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams
Receive an unexpected text message? Think twice before clicking the link.
In today’s digital age, cybercriminals are constantly using technology to devise new ways to exploit individuals and organizations. One of the most common scams are phishing scams – fraudulent attempts to obtain personal information from unsuspecting recipients. Here are some tips to recognize and avoid these scams.
Recognizing Phishing Scams
- Scammers go “phishing” using emails, text messages, phone calls, and other communication forms, to trick you into sharing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details.
Never share your personal information. Security Service will never initiate a call or text requesting your one-time passcode/activation code, online banking credentials, passwords, usernames, or account/personal information.
They create a sense of urgency with a problem that requires your immediate action.
Slow down. Was the call, email, or text unexpected? Is the caller pressuring you to act quickly? If the answer is ‘yes’ it could be a scam.
They pretend to be legitimate sources, such as a financial institution or government agency, to gain your trust and convince you to share personal information.
If you’re unsure, don’t respond. Don’t hesitate to hang up or stop replying.
5 Tips to Avoid Phising Scams
In addition to the actions outlined above, follow these cybersecurity best practices to help protect yourself from phishing scams:
- Avoid clicking email and text links requesting personal information and never open unexpected attachments.
- Do not respond to unknown numbers. Government agencies and financial institutions will never call you to verify your account information or ask for personal details. If you’re unsure, contact the business or visit the official website.
- Regularly update passwords and avoid using previous passwords or easily guessable information, such as birthdays or names.
- Activate Real-time Card Alerts* on your Security Service debit and credit cards to receive notifications when your card is used online, in-store, by telephone, at an ATM, or internationally, or for any transactions that exceed your set limit.
- Keep your contact information current so we can notify you about any suspicious activity.
At Security Service, protecting your personal information is our top priority. Remember, if you ever suspect a scam, it is crucial not to respond or click on any suspicious messages. By staying informed and following best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
If you think you have been the victim of a scam or believe your Security Service account has been compromised, contact us immediately at 1.888.415.7878.
For more information and resources about fraud and scam prevention, visit our Fraud Awareness page.
