Financial Security Tips. Part 2. Phishing Scams

Lime family,

What a ride the week’s been so far?!

Luckily Friday’s almost here when we can shift to weekend gear. While sleeping later than usual may get our vote, those online scammers will be cruising the web in their “Phishing boat”. I have a “life jacket” for you . . . it’s The Art to be Online-Smart Part 2. Let’s jump right in to check out their plan, to catch us out wherever they can.

Feel free to share the series with friends and family. Preventing scammers leaving their bank balance on zero, is sure to make you forever their hero! I thank you for your valuable time. On Tuesday, I’ll post Part 3 online!

Love and Light from Lenny and Lime

Financial Security Tips. Part 2. Phishing Scams

Fraudsters lure you into providing them your personal and confidential information. To do so, they use many channels at their disposal. These usually include email, SMS, phone call, malware, or remote access. Don’t feel bad if you’ve been scammed in the past. Learn how they roll and how to spot them fast.

The Phishing Scam

Spot their bait . . .
You receive an email urging you to update or confirm your details by . . .

clicking on a link,
or an icon,
or to open an attachment

The result if you do . . .
Malware (malicious software) could be deployed on your device(s), which could compromise your personal information or digital banking details

Something smells “Phishy”

There’s usually a sense of urgency to the email
It’s often followed by a threat . . . like the suspending your bank account!
They urge you to respond immediately, not giving you time to think things through or to ask someone for advice.
The email states you’ve been a victim of fraud
It states you are due to receive funds. BUT you need to sign into your bank account(s) by clicking on a link to report the incident, cancel your bank card or give permission to accept “the sum of money”
You’re asked to supply your personal and account details via a hyperlink, attachment, or icon, in the body of the email.

ALWAYS:
ALWAYS ensure you have a valid and reputable anti-virus program installed on all electronic devices

NEVER:
NEVER click on ANY LINK or ICON in a suspicious looking email

This should ALWAYS be top-of-mind

With a scam or a lie, one (or more) of these may apply:

What you are offered or promised sounds too good to be true . . .
The offer takes you by surprise . . . the prize relates to a competition you haven’t even entered
You’re given very little time in which to respond You’re asked to confirm some of your personal details in order to secure whatever it is they are using as bait
The information and instructions reach you via a free email service, such as Hotmail, Aim, Yahoo or Gmail
You are promised large sums of money for very little (or no) effort
You’re asked to make a payment before they are able to “release” the promised money, prize, or service

Well done! You’ve reached the end of Part 2 . . .
And this is exactly where you want to be . . . when Lenny’s back on Tuesday with Part 3!