I work in an industry where part of my job is to ensure a company's equipment and devices are secured to meet industry security standards and protect clients and consumers against digital attacks and the loss of company and individual data. Here are some measures we take every day that you or anyone else can also use to protect your electronic devices so that hackers do not gain unauthorized access to your device and tamper with your data and information. Everyone needs to be using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) . Everyone. No exception. Personal or small business, it doesn't matter. You should be using 2FA. Everyone should. If you think you are a nobody or your business is too small to be hacked, think again because we see attempts to hack just regular individuals and normal people who consider themselves "a nobody" or not so important or wealthy for anyone to waste their time trying to hack them, but it happens. Hackers may target a random person to practice on o...

Some scammers take their time to persuade you by using stories to play on emotions in order to gain trust before they steal from you. Here are some examples to learn from: A deal via social media or online shopping websites such as eBay, Amazon, Craigslist, OfferUp, Swappa etc., by selling stuff you may be interested in but ask that you must pay using cash or an app other than the app from the site you're purchasing through. Imposters such as pretending to be from the tax agency because you owe some taxes and a lawsuit is pending if you don't pay right away. Others pretend to be from tech companies and say they need to update your computer system, while others pretend to be from your utility company inquiring about a late payment where they ask you to supply personal and financial information so they can compare it in the system. Grandma, Grandpa calls - they pretend to be a grand kid that's stranded somewhere, or in some sort of trouble, or kidnapped and nee money fast. Yo...

In general, no bank will ever ask you to send money in order to resolve or reverse fraud on your account. Any text message, phone call, or email stating that it is from your bank and asking you to send money by wire or pay via Zelle, CashApp, Venmo, Apple gift cards, PayPal, or any other forms of payment for a service that you do not remember or recognize or solve an issue in your account it is a scam. Try to stay safe by: Knowing the person, you're talking to. If you are not comfortable with the questions or information being asked, or you're feeling that something is not right, trust your intuition and hang up the phone before providing such information as full names, phone number, bank account number, debit number, credit number with 3-digit verification number, username, password, verification code from a text message or from your 2-factor authentication app (2FA). Go to your account and check the number (can also be found on your statements) for your financial institution ...

When using checks, be aware that the checks you write most of the time will include your name, your address, and your bank account number. If they fall into the wrong hands, you may lose your personal information stolen and financial loss. How do scammers get your check? by taking them your checks from the mailbox by getting them from the trash cans if they were not disposed of properly How do they get money from this fraud? By rewriting your check to themselves after using chemicals to erase your information. by selling your personally identifiable information (PII) to other scammers by using your PII to forge checks  by using your PII to create profile that they can use to apply for services as if they were you Some tips to help with making it harder to alter your check User a permanent pen In the payee field, fill out the name in the entire space or make a line to the end of the space Use the same signature every time to be consistent Go to the post office and mail it from ...