Are You Playing a Scammer’s Favorite Tune

Just when you thought you’d heard it all, there’s always another song to be played. This one is big, very big. It’s called a “Piano Scam”, and countless victims around the globe are getting played. Even those doing everything right to avoid this scam don’t escape it. A Piano Scam casts a wide net, targeting music schools and music stores, healthcare, and other industries. It also includes individuals searching online for a used piano. A scammer makes an offer that’s hard to refuse—a free piano and a story about why they can’t take it with them to wherever they are going. READ FULL STORY

The Quick and Dirty on QR Codes

QR codes, those little square mazes, are everywhere nowadays. From accessing restaurant menus to entering sweepstakes and registering new products, they’ve become a staple in modern convenience. However, like any technology, cybercriminals have found ways to exploit these codes, turning them into digital traps. There are many ways these boxes of squiggles can be misused, including via phishing, in advertisements, and overlaid on real ones. READ FULL STORY

The 10 Most Common 4-Digit PINs: Is Yours One of Them?

By now, it’s common knowledge that anything to do with your online security that’s easy-to-guess presents personal security risks. One of those risks involves using a 4-digit PIN code for your smartphone, additional devices, ATM accounts, and payment cards. Commonly used PINs make it easy for you to remember but they also make it easy for hackers to guess. Below are 10 of the most common 4-digit PIN codes cybercriminals try first, so take a look and see if yours is on the list. READ FULL STORY

Online Banking Risks – How Financial Institutions And Customers Partner For Better Security

The financial services sector has gone through significant changes since horse-drawn wagons delivered money to banks. Long after that, in-person visits to your local branch gave way to online banking on devices. But the start of the pandemic in 2020, left its mark on financial services and their customers. The risks of e-banking have been a very real concern ever since bad actors switched from cracking bank safes to cracking online accounts instead. A partnership with your financial institution can help boost online security. READ FULL STORY

Quick Social Engineering Refresher

Let's dive into the world of social engineering and its impact on our lives, shall we? Brace yourself for a friendly reminder about this sneaky psychological manipulation technique that can really mess with your day. Picture this: someone cleverly exploits your mind to get you to do their bidding or spill sensitive information. It could never happen to you, right? Well, think again. Sometimes they sneak up on you and don't even know what's going on until it's too late. READ FULL STORY

Is a Criminal Adding Your Card to a Mobile Wallet?

Mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay offer a convenient and generally secure way to make purchases. Unfortunately, criminals have found a way to abuse the process used to add payment cards to these services. In this scam, a criminal adds someone else’s debit or credit card to a mobile wallet on a device the criminal controls. Once the card is approved, the criminal can use the phone to make purchases, even though the physical card is still safely in the owner’s possession. READ FULL STORY

Who Just Signed Into My Account

We’ve all gotten them. A text with a random code we are supposed to enter somewhere to log in to something. And it’s likely you’ve received one or two that just showed up and you don’t know why. Firstly, and importantly, don't ignore them! When you receive an unsolicited verification code, it's like a huge warning sign screaming, "Someone's trying to get into your account!" But don’t panic. We’ve got you covered. Here’s a guide to help you navigate those random texts with verification codes. READ FULL STORY

Fidelity Customers Reminded That Stolen Data May Be Used Well Into the Future

If you have a retirement account, brokerage account, or other investment with Fidelity Investments, now is a good time to check your mailbox and email. A proposed class action settlement stemming from a 2024 data breach could provide eligible customers with reimbursement for documented losses, identity theft protection, and a cash payment. While the deadline to file a claim is approaching, many people may not even realize they qualify. Here's what happened, who may be eligible, and what you should do if you received a notification from Fidelity. READ FULL STORY

Oops I Clicked, Now What?

At some point in your life, you may have clicked something you shouldn’t have. Maybe the email looked legitimate. Maybe you were rushing between meetings. Maybe it appeared to come from someone you trust. The truth is that mistakes happen. What determines the impact, however, is not the click itself. It is the actions you take within the first ten minutes afterward. While you’re likely to go into panic mode, you shouldn’t. The most important thing you can do is stay calm. Panic leads to poor decisions and as we’ve learned before, that’s exactly what cybercriminals want you to do READ FULL STORY

A Scammer Can Wreak Havoc With Your Online Banking Account Number

Most people know to protect their Social Security number, debit card PIN, or online banking password. But many don’t realize that something far more ordinary—your bank account number—can also be a goldmine for scammers. It may not seem sensitive at first glance (after all, it’s printed on every check), but in the wrong hands, it can lead to serious financial trouble. While banks often catch suspicious activity, scammers know that many people don’t check their accounts daily, giving them time to slip transactions through. READ FULL STORY

A Check on P2P Scams

There are so many payment apps out there; PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle, for instance and perhaps you’ve probably wondered: Are these apps actually safe? The short answer—yes, if you’re careful. While most P2P apps use encryption to protect your data, scammers are constantly looking for new ways to trick users into giving up their money. And because these apps are often linked directly to your bank account, one mistake can be very costly. But just knowing how to spot potential scams and fraud can help you use them safely. READ FULL STORY

Unpaid Toll Scam Drives Us All Crazy

Have you taken a toll road recently? Well, even if you haven’t, this story is for you. There is a text message going around that anyone who drives on highways or freeways should be on the lookout for and it’s just annoying enough to drive anyone mad. As you can guess, it involves driving (or perhaps not driving) toll roads and the supposed accompanying fees related to them, as well as fake websites, the attempted collection of information, and other phishing flags. READ FULL STORY