Protect yourself from online fraud: Tips for digital data protection

In today’s digital landscape, safeguarding personal information can be difficult–yet it’s crucial now more than ever. Individuals face a variety of risks to their online security that can have significant consequences, including financial loss, legal repercussions, and reputational damage.

Gain insights into common digital scams and empower yourself to protect your personal data with these tips to stay safe online.

Phishing scams

Phishing attacks involve deceptive texts, calls, or emails from numbers that seem legitimate , such as phone carriers, toll road accounts, or gas and electric service providers. These communications appear credible, leading recipients to disclose sensitive personal information, like passwords, financial details, or personal identification.

If a phishing scam is successful and your sensitive information is compromised, you need to take preventive measures, such as changing passwords, requesting new credit cards, and placing fraud alerts on credit reports.

Stay alert

It’s prudent to approach unexpected urgent notices with skepticism. Verify emails, texts, voice messages, and links before responding. Don’t click on anything that looks suspicious as it may compromise your security. Legitimate organizations don’t initiate unsolicited calls or texts and provide written notices for any outstanding balances.

To verify a sender’s legitimacy, log directly into your account through official channels — not through hyperlinks provided in the communication.

Phone number theft aka SIM-swapping

SIM swapping is where scammers illegally obtain a phone number by transferring it to a new SIM card. Victims receive convincing calls from hackers posing as phone service provider representatives, claiming fraudulent activity and unauthorized phone orders on their account. Victims typically provide account access, personal information, and two-factor authentication (2FA) codes.

In SIM-swapping cases, scammers gain access to sensitive accounts, including email and various payment platforms. The hacker can then change passwords, access emails, and potentially commit other cybercrimes.

While prompt action can help secure these online accounts and financial information, it often requires considerable time and effort, and victims have to update their phone numbers across multiple services.