Tips for Building Consumer Awareness About Fraud

Fintech and payment nerds, when you see your frends and family over the holiday please, please, please caution them against financial fraud. Coach them so that they notice suspicious behavior and empower them to resist! Here is some guidance to share (links to add'l resources in the comments): 1️⃣ Red Flags🚩 👉Unsolicited contact via email, phone, or text. 👉High-pressure tactics demanding immediate action. 👉Offers that seem too good to be true. 👉Requests for sensitive information like Social Security numbers or bank details. 👉Payment demands via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. 2️⃣ Protect Your Personal Information 👉Verify requests before sharing personal or financial details. 👉Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication. 👉Avoid entering sensitive data over public Wi-Fi. 3️⃣ Learn to Recognize Common Scams 👉Phishing Scams: Fraudulent emails/messages that steal your information. 👉Tech Support Scams: Fake alerts claiming your device is compromised. 👉Pig-Butchering Scams: Long-term grooming on social media to push fake investments. 4️⃣ Monitor Your Financial Activity 👉Regularly review bank and credit card statements. 👉Set up alerts for suspicious account activity. 👉Consider a credit freeze to prevent identity theft. 5️⃣ Protect Older Adults 👉Share fraud prevention tips with older family members. 👉Encourage open communication about suspicious activity. 6️⃣Take Action Against Fraud 👉Report incidents to your bank, credit union, or local authorities. 👉Notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via reportfraud.ftc.gov. 👉Change passwords and secure compromised accounts. Bottom line: 👉Don’t trust unsolicited offers or deals that require urgent action. 👉Always verify the identity of individuals or organizations contacting you. 👉Stay informed about emerging scams and update devices regularly for security. 👉 Finally, do not be ashamed to alert someone and ask for help if you get emeshed in a scam Use your expertise and whatever influence you may have to spread the word. The last thing you want is to be on the receiving end of a panicked phone call from a loved one.

🚨 “Think you’re safe online? Think again—cybercriminals are counting on you letting your guard down.” Every time I hear about someone falling victim to cybercrime, I can’t help but think: This could’ve been prevented. I had the privilege of speaking to Regions Bank customers in Nashville and Houston at a series of fraud awareness seminars. These events are the reason I do what I do—educating people about the ever-changing threats we face and, more importantly, how to protect themselves. Here’s the thing: Cybercrime isn’t slowing down, and cybercriminals aren’t just targeting businesses. They’re coming after people—you, your family, and your loved ones. But the good news? You don’t have to be their next victim. 💡 Some Key Takeaways from the Seminar: 🛑 Stop, Call, Confirm: Got a suspicious email, text, or pop-up? Slow down, call a trusted number (like what’s on the back of your card), and confirm it’s legit. Don’t react emotionally—that’s what the bad guys want. 🔒 Freeze Your Credit: Your personal information is out there—probably for sale on the dark web. Freezing your credit is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself. 📧 Spot Phishing Scams: If something feels off about a message, trust your gut. Don’t click on links. Criminals are counting on you to make a quick, emotional decision. 💻 Business Email Compromise: One of the biggest threats today. Scammers impersonate executives, vendors, or employees to trick you into transferring money or sharing sensitive info. Always verify requests through a second method. 👵 Protect Seniors and Loved Ones: Scammers are targeting our parents and grandparents with elder fraud and romance scams. Keep them informed—education is the best defense. Here’s the harsh truth: Cybercriminals don’t care about how hard you’ve worked or what you’ve built. But you can fight back. For years, I’ve shared my 4 Truths of Cybersecurity everywhere I go: 1️⃣ Nobody thinks it’ll happen to them—until it does. 2️⃣ Once your money is gone, getting it back is nearly impossible. 3️⃣ Most cybercriminals are overseas, which makes prosecution unlikely. 4️⃣ Many instances of cybercrime I’ve seen could have been prevented with the right knowledge and controls. This is why I’m so passionate about the CyberSecure Mindset and Stealth Family. It’s not about spending a fortune on fancy software—it’s about learning how to think and act in ways that make you less of a target. 👉 So don’t wait. Protect what matters most—your family, your business, and your peace of mind. 🔗 Visit www.stealthfamily.com for tools and resources to start building your defenses today. Cybersecurity isn’t just for the experts—it starts with you. Let’s win this fight together. #CyberSecurity #FraudPrevention #StaySafeOnline #StopCallConfirm #IdentityTheft #DarkWebAwareness Jeff Taylor Kevin D. Marc E. https://lnkd.in/er7jyYjh

This morning on KCAL News I discussed the growing issue of cryptocurrency scams and how education is key to preventing consumer fraud. It’s often awareness of simple red flags that can prevent someone from falling victim. In the segment, I highlighted findings from the FBI's Cryptocurrency Fraud Report, explaining what’s behind the surge in these crimes: - Growing Popularity: More users, especially those inexperienced, make crypto appealing to scammers. - Anonymity: Crypto transactions are hard to trace and irreversible, making recovery difficult. - Lack of Regulation: Many countries still don’t have firm regulations in place, making enforcement harder. - Social Engineering: Scammers manipulate victims, building trust through social media or dating platforms. Who’s at risk: - Older Adults (60+), with $1.65 billion lost, are heavily targeted due to unfamiliarity with crypto and trust in scammers. - Young Adults (20-39) often fall for “FOMO” investment schemes. - Previous Scam Victims, Job Seekers, and Emotionally Vulnerable Individuals are frequently targeted. Key Red Flags: - Unrealistic promises, pressure to act quickly, unsolicited communications, and requests for payments via cryptocurrency kiosks. How to Protect Yourself: - Strengthen online security (MFA, strong passwords), verify platforms and job offers, and never send money to someone you haven’t met. Report suspicious activity to IC3.gov.