October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month

The line between our online and offline lives is indistinguishable. In these tech-fueled times, our homes, societal well-being, economic prosperity and nation’s security are impacted by the internet.

At a time when we are more connected than ever, being “cyber smart” is of the utmost importance. A first step to being more “cyber smart” is learning to spot phishing attempts. Phishing is when scammers use email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information. They may try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful. The 2021 Internet Crime Report released by the FBI noted that individuals lost more than $6.9 billion to internet crimes in 2021, a jump of more than $2 billion from 2020.

Scammers often update their tactics, but phishing emails and text messages may look like they’re from a company you know or trust – maybe a bank, credit card company, or social network site. They often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. They may:

say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts
claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information
say you must confirm some personal information
include a fake invoice
want you to click on a link to make a payment
offer a coupon for free stuff

If you get an email or a text message that asks you to click on a link or open an attachment, answer this question: Do I have an account with the company or know the person that contacted me? If the answer is “No,” it could be a phishing scam. If the answer is “Yes,” contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Don’t use contact information or links in the suspicious email or open any attachments.