Cybercrimes are on the rise, so this week I’m passing along some prevention tips posted recently by the FBI. Make note of them and do your best to adhere to the advice.
A key thought to keep in mind is that if a deal seems too good to be true, odds are it is too good to be true. You’ll lose your money in the transaction plus you’ll likely have provided scammers with your personal information in the process.
Another tip is to beware of social media posts about gift card giveaways and other contests. Be sure you’re dealing with legitimate businesses. If you happen to purchase gift cards at the store itself, check the card over for any tampering.
If you’re purchasing tickets, do so from a trusted source and don’t post pictures of them online where the barcode can be seen and duplicated for resale by scammers.
Here are some additional tips the FBI has put together so you can use to avoid becoming a victim of cyber fraud:
• Check your credit card statement routinely and protect your credit card numbers.
• Don’t respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail and don’t click on any links in them. Be cautious of e-mails claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. You should only open attachments from known senders. Scan the attachments for viruses if possible.
• Avoid filling out forms contained in e-mail messages that ask for personal information and always compare the link in the e-mail to the link you are actually directed to and determine if they actually match and lead you to a legitimate site.
• Log on directly to the official website for the business identified in the e-mail instead of linking to it from an unsolicited e-mail. If the e-mail appears to be from your bank, credit card issuer or other company you deal with frequently, your statements or official correspondence from the business will provide the proper contact information.
• If you are requested to act quickly or are told there is an emergency, be aware it may be a scam. Fraudsters create a sense of urgency to get you to act quickly.
• Verify any requests for personal information from any business or financial institution by contacting them using the main contact information on their official website.
Paying heed to these tips should help keep you safe from being scammed this holiday season or anytime during the year. If you encounter any problems, please don’t hesitate to contact law enforcement.
Please keep our military and service personnel in your thoughts and prayers. It’s because of their service and safekeeping of our great nation that we’re able to enjoy the rights and freedoms that we have.
May you have a Blessed Week.
Johnny Brown has served as Sheriff of Ellis County since Jan. 1, 2009, and is a graduate of the National Sheriff’s Institute. He has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years and holds a Master’s Peace Officer’s Certificate with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.