10 Security Red Flags to Watch Out For

Protecting Your Personal Information

In light of increasing risk for security breaches, we want to share the following tips for protecting your personal information and recognizing potential financial scams on an ongoing basis.

Information That You Need To Protect

Social Security Numbers, passports, driver’s licenses, and similar identifying information.
Financial account and credit card numbers.
Passwords (or insights about you that could help someone guess your passwords).
Your and family members’ contact information (name, address, phone, e-mail).
Your and family members’ birth dates.
Details about your life (interests, travel plans, relationships, your alma maters, etc.).

How Your Personal Information Can Be Compromised

Real or virtual strong-arm theft; breaking and entering; and scams to trick you.
Online, by phone, in the mail or in person.
Phishing emails and deceitful or compromised websites (tricking you into clicking on bad links or opening infected attachments).
Malware infects your device with pranks, viruses and security breaches.

Ten Red Flags to Watch Out For

An offer that sounds too good to be true.
A stranger who wants to be your real or virtual best friend.
When someone you know is behaving oddly via email or phone. (It may be an identity thief.)
Someone claiming to represent a tax agency, financial or legal firm, police department or other authority contacts you out of the blue, demanding money or information.
You’re feeling pressured or tricked into responding immediately to a threat, a temptation or a curiosity.
You’re prioritizing easy access over solid security (weak or absent locks and passwords).
You’re sharing personal information in a public venue (including social media).
Facts or figures aren’t adding up; bank statements, reports or other info is missing entirely.
Your defenses are down: You’re ill, injured, grieving, experiencing dementia or feeling blue.
Your gut feel is warning you: Something seems off.

Strategies for Protecting Yourself and Your Personal Information

Online Protection

Software: Keep your anti-malware, anti-spyware and operating system software current.
Backups: Use multi-version backup software for system and/or file recovery as needed.
Passwords: Create strong, unique passwords and periodically change them.
Extra security: Use it when available, such as two-step verification or fingerprint access.
Phishing: Be careful about clicking links or opening attachments, especially from strangers.
Social media: Privatize your profiles and activities so only those you allow in can see them.
WiFi: Be extra careful using public WiFi; assume the world can see what you’re doing.

Suspicious Phone Calls

Identify: Legitimate callers don’t call unannounced and entice or threaten you.
End the call: Your best line of defense is to immediately hang up.
Don’t cooperate: Never share your credit card number or any other sensitive information.
Investigate: End the call and contact the alleged source directly to inquire further.
Report: Report the suspicious number to federal authorities.

Credit and Records Management

Watch for inconsistencies: Look for odd transactions in your financial statements.
Watch for missing statements: In case your account has been redirected elsewhere.
Monitor your credit reports: Request and review your free com.
Consider a credit freeze: If you rarely apply for loans, you may want to freeze your credit.
Follow up promptly: If something seems “off,” immediately change any login passwords, and promptly contact the service provider and appropriate federal authorities.

Personal Security

Remain on guard: There is still plenty of old-fashioned theft going on.
Secure it: Lock up your desk, files, car, mailbox and trash bins.
Shred it: Use a shredder to destroy any paperwork you do not need to keep.
When you’re out and about: Keep a close eye on your purse or wallet everywhere you go.
Filling in forms: Don’t provide your Social Security Number unless actually required.
Banking: When using an ATM machine, look for others around you or signs of tampering.

If You Detect A Problem, Act Promptly

Online: Promptly change passwords on any affected accounts; recover backups as needed.
Financial: If you feel your financial security has been compromised, immediately contact the financial institution in question. They tend to have excellent anti-fraud teams who will act quickly to minimize damage and help you open new, uncompromised accounts.
Other resources: Check with the government agency responsible for overseeing the breach: the IRS for tax fraud, or the FTC for anything else.

If you have any questions, or if we can be of help in any way, please feel free to reach out.

Please note that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended and/or undertaken by Opes Wealth Management) will be profitable.

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