Consumer ‐ cyber crime details

How to Recognize Cyber Crime

Be wary of unsolicited communications

Beware of emails, texts, or messages from unknown senders asking you to click on a link or provide personal information.
Verify the legitimacy of any requests, especially those involving financial transactions or sensitive data.

Scrutinize website URLs and email addresses

Look for misspellings or slight variations in domain names that may indicate a phishing attempt.
Ensure the website URL starts with "https://" and has a valid SSL/TLS certificate.

Identify social engineering tactics

Be cautious of attempts to manipulate you into revealing sensitive information or performing actions against your best interests.
Cybercriminals may pose as trusted authorities, like your bank or a government agency, to gain your trust.

Monitor for signs of data breaches or identity theft

Regularly check your financial accounts and credit reports for any unauthorized activity.
Be alert to unexplained charges, new accounts opened in your name, or other suspicious changes.

Recognize unusual requests or urgency

Be wary of emails, messages, or phone calls that create a sense of urgency or pressure you to act quickly.
Cybercriminals often use this tactic to bypass your better judgment.

Validate the source of information

Independently verify the source of any requests for sensitive information or financial transactions.
Don't rely solely on the contact information provided in the communication itself

How to Prevent Cyber Crime

Use strong and unique passwords

Keep software and devices up-to- date

Beware of emails, texts, or messages from unknown senders asking you to click on a link or provide personal information.
Verify the legitimacy of any requests, especially those involving financial transactions or sensitive data.

Be cautious with public Wi-Fi

Avoid accessing sensitive information or conducting financial transactions on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic when using public Wi- Fi.

Verify the legitimacy of communications

Scrutinize emails, text messages, and phone calls for signs of phishing or social engineering attempts.
Independently verify the source of any requests for sensitive information or financial transactions.

Limit sharing of personal information

Be selective about the personal and financial details you share online or with others.
Be cautious of social media posts that could reveal information that could be used for identity theft or other cyber crimes.

Back up your data regularly

Regularly create backups of your important data, files, and documents.
Store backups in a secure location, such as an external hard drive or a cloud-based storage service.

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