The CyberDiplomat’s Post

As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, reflecting on the many blessings we have as a nation, it's essential to remember that tomorrow is never guaranteed. Life can change in an instant, and so can our circumstances. A pressing threat we face today is identity theft, a crime that can devastate lives and futures. During the holiday season, when we are focused on giving and celebrating, our vulnerability to such threats increases. Fraudsters are more active than ever, taking advantage of our online shopping habits and the personal information we share. At Allstate Identity Protection, we urge everyone to remain vigilant. Here are a few steps to help protect your identity during this holiday season: -Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. -Use Strong Passwords: Ensure your online accounts are secured with complex passwords and consider enabling two-factor authentication. -Be Wary of Scams: Be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages asking for personal information—if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. -Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest security threats and best practices for protecting your personal information. Let’s cherish our time with loved ones while also safeguarding our identities. Together, we can enjoy a safe and secure holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving! Go Birds! #Thanksgiving #IdentityProtection #StayVigilant #CyberSecurity #AllstateIdentityProtection

🔐 It’s #WorldPasswordDay and we’re diving deep into fraud prevention with James Williams, an expert in combating mobile industry fraud! Here's James’s key tips for spotting potential fraud in your mobile communication channels! ⤵️ 🚩 “Given authoritative data about our mobile numbers is key to ascertaining a level of trust, if you can see a number has very recently just been ported (moved from one network to another) and if the number is being forwarded (so call forwarding enabled), then these two attributes alone should throw up a huge red flag for the validity of any transaction in play involving the number in question. Almost certainly a fraud attempt is afoot and the transaction stopped in its tracks.” 💡 “You need to take real care to prevent introducing too much friction in customer processes and blocking genuine transactions. There are some great, trustworthy, independent experts operating in the anti-fraud world to whom mobile engagement players can turn to rapidly. Zero needs to reinvent the wheel and they’d save a heap of time bringing in the experts rather than trying to do things in-house themselves all the time.” Let’s strengthen our defenses together this Password Day! 🔒 #FraudPrevention #WorldPasswordDay2024 #MobileSecurity #CyberSecurity

Happy Friday, July 12th, 2024! Teamwork truly makes my dream work. Our focus is on protecting consumers and dealerships from fraud, and we are stronger together with all our partnerships. Here's a glimpse of our approach: - 1st: Aura offers a $9.00 preload with 1 free year of an Identity Theft Program. - 2nd: We use Gather.technology to verify consumers' identity and insurance. - 3rd: Leveraging getarmd.com to protect systems from cyber threats. - 4th: Collaborating with Global F&I Solutions LLC, Jake Gothers Maureen Sonoda Gary S. Sillman - 5th: We aim to digitize selling systems with a menu for seamless operations. - 6th: Customer satisfaction is key! Let's make our customers happy. #Teamwork #ConsumerProtection #FraudPrevention #Partnerships #CyberSecurity #CustomerSatisfaction

Protect Yourself from Vishing Attacks! Scammers use sophisticated techniques to trick you into sharing sensitive information over the phone. Here are some simple but effective tips to stay protected from telemarketing and retail scams: Pause and Think: Why would this organization contact you? Be cautious. It’s Okay to Hang Up: Don’t feel obligated to engage in the conversation if it feels suspicious. Never Share Sensitive Information: Avoid giving out details like your Social Insurance Number or banking info over the phone. Avoid Calling Back: Use contact information from the company’s official website, not the number provided by the caller. Use Spam Protection Features: Check if your smartphone has built-in features to block and report spam calls. Register for the Do Not Call List: Reduce the number of telemarketing calls by registering your number on Canada’s Do Not Call List (DNCL). If you accidentally share sensitive details, update your passwords and alert your bank immediately. Report any suspicious calls to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Stay safe and share these tips with your network to help others avoid becoming victims of phone scams! #Vishing #TelemarketingScams #StaySafe #ProtectYourInfo #GetCyberSafe #PhoneScamPrevention #Cybersecurity #FraudAwareness #OnlineSafety #ScamAlert #whatsnkst

DAY 3: How do you protect personally identifiable information (PII) online? Personally Identifiable Information (PII) refers to any data that can be used to identify an individual, either on its own or combined with other details. This includes both sensitive and non-sensitive information that can be traced back to a person. Examples of PII include: • Full name • SSN/BVN/NIN • Plate number • Phone number • Date of birth • Driver’s license or passport • Bank account or card details etc In today’s digital age as we now know it, protecting PII is crucial to prevent identity theft, fraud, and other malicious activities. Here are some tips on securing your PII online: ● Limit the personal information you share: Be mindful of what you disclose, especially on social media. ● Ensure no traceable info is visible in photos: When posting pictures, double-check for any identifiable information—blur things like your car's number plate if necessary. ● Be cautious of “freebies”: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid clicking on or downloading attachments from unknown sources. ● Keep your private details private: This is the golden rule—always safeguard your PII. ● Do you have a separate email for your Socials? Use separate email accounts: Create a separate email account for social media and less important activities. This keeps your primary email account more secure and less exposed to phishing or spam attacks. Dr Iretioluwa Akerele and Cybarik These are my take on protecting our PII online? #DAY3of31 #CyberAwareness #CyberAwarenessMonth

The rise of scams is one of 2024's top fraud trends. Are you prepared? On March 14th, Trace Fooshée is releasing a new report that pulls back the curtain on the scams landscape. Contact us for more information or to set up a review with the author. Sourced from an in-depth study commissioned by Mastercard, it provides a global look at: 🌍 Recent scam patterns across North America, Philippines, Brazil, and Australia ⚡ Market forces driving the need for enhanced scam detection & prevention 🕵️♀️ Segmentation of the scams solutions market to meet emerging threats Whether you're a solutions provider looking to get ahead of the curve or a fraud executive tasked with safeguarding your organization, this report is a must-read. With scams ranking as a top fraud concern this year, you can't afford to be caught off guard. #fraud #scams #cybersecurity #PaymentSecurity #SolutionsPerspective #FraudPrevention

In the bustling market of the digital age, the holiday season is that annual chaotic fair where every business booth is lit up with enticing deals. But, lurking in the shadows of bright LED lights and cheerful promotions are the crafty foxes of cybercrime, ready to raid the hen house if you let your guard down. Picture this: The holidays are to businesses what a seasoned magician is to an audience—impressive, but full of potential illusions. One moment, you're pulling a rabbit out of the hat, sales streaming in like a monsoon; the next, your bottom line is escaping through a hidden trapdoor, courtesy of AI-driven fraudsters and holiday-tuned scams. *Be brave, be prepared:* 1. **Unfurl Your Parade Umbrella:** Rain or shine, holiday excitement or inevitable scams, revelry requires readiness. Equip yourself with the latest antifraud tools—your metaphorical umbrella and rain boots. 2. **Train Your Radar:** Like an adept sailor navigating rocky waters, bolster your team’s vigilance. Keep your eyes peeled for holiday-specific red flags, from phishing emails dressed in sleigh bells to bot-led buying binges camouflaged in December snow. 3. **Chart Your Path:** Arm yourself with data—the treasure map in this journey to a secure season. History has shown that adapting swiftly to newfound tactics shapes winners in this survival game. **Project into the future:** The tale of digital commerce is a never-ending saga balancing delight and danger. As cyber criminals sharpen their sophistication, staying one step ahead means transforming into a digital MacGyver—always resourceful, perpetually adjusting, and impossibly inventive. *Invest, investigate, instigate change.* And dear business warriors, drink your coffee and stay sharp. Just like in those old-timey Westerns, the bad guys are quick on the draw but often leave behind the necessary breadcrumbs. But hey, every great hero’s journey is fraught with villains. Embrace the adventure—dodge the traps, relish the triumphs, and remember that the best fraud prevention plan doesn’t just protect assets, but enriches experience and trust. Yet, keep your sense of humor intact because, really, what's a chase without a chuckle, and what’s a holiday without a twist? Welcome to holiday shopping in a plot full of capes and capers. 🎩🚀🔍 https://lnkd.in/emdgfXDV #CyberSecurity #HolidayShopping #BusinessProtection #FraudAwareness #SecureYourAssets #DigitalStrategy

Are you going on holiday this half-term? Be careful what you share on social media! It’s tempting to post that beach selfie or check-in at the airport, but when you announce your absence to the world, you could be putting your home and personal safety at risk. Here’s why it’s worth thinking twice: Burglary risks – Publicly sharing your location tells everyone that your home is empty. This can be an invitation for opportunistic thieves. Identity theft – Sharing travel documents or boarding passes online, even casually, can expose personal information that cybercriminals could exploit. Oversharing data – Posting too many details about your plans, such as specific dates or locations, can give malicious actors clues to your habits, which might be used against you. Instead of posting in real-time, consider waiting until you’re back to share your holiday snaps. It keeps your loved ones updated and keeps your home safe while you’re away. What are your thoughts on this? How do you balance enjoying your holiday and staying safe online? Let me know in the comments, or reach out if you’d like to discuss strategies for staying secure! #CyberSecurity #DataProtection #HalfTerm #SocialMediaSafety #TravelTips

Cyber Monday is here - a day filled with deals, deliveries, and unfortunately, opportunities for scammers. At jtendo, we want to remind everyone to stay vigilant, especially with the rise of SMS-based scams pretending to be from postal or courier services. Here’s a common scenario: 📩 You receive a text message stating that your package requires a small fee for delivery or customs clearance. 🔗 The message includes a link to pay the fee. 💳 If you click on it, you might end up on a fake website where you could unknowingly provide your credit card details to cybercriminals. Protect Yourself: 1️⃣ Verify Before You Click: Use the official website or app of the courier service to check the status of your package. 2️⃣ Beware of Urgency: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to push you into acting without thinking. 3️⃣ Look for Red Flags: Spelling mistakes, unfamiliar senders, or suspicious links are clear signs of fraud. 4️⃣ Report Suspicious Messages: Notify your mobile operator or postal service about any scam attempts. Let’s make Cyber Monday a day of great deals, not great risks. Stay alert and share these tips with friends and family! #CyberMonday #CyberSecurity #Telecom

Considering the fact I’ve expanded my veterans network, I’ll be doing some cross posting from the Legion page for some things that could be helpful to more active veterans online, but not yet following our FB or Instagram. **🚨 Fraud Awareness Friday 🚨** Attention, American Legion Family! Be vigilant against “smishing” (SMS phishing) attempts that try to deceive you into believing unauthorized transactions have occurred. Here’s a recent example one of our members received: The message claims that $519.44 was transferred to someone named Mark Dean and prompts the recipient to visit a suspicious link if the transaction wasn't authorized. This is a classic phishing tactic designed to steal personal information. They are implementing it via text. Tips to protect yourself: 1. **Verify the sender:** If you receive a suspicious message, contact your bank or credit union directly using their official contact information. Don’t go to any link or bank, that you don’t know you hold money in. 2. **Avoid clicking on links:** Never click on links in unsolicited messages. Instead, go directly to the organization's website, if you participate in that bank. 3. **Report the message:** Report phishing attempts to your mobile carrier and financial institution. And also, report it to the FBI. They have links on their page but it helps track trends in the wild. Stay safe and always be on the lookout for potential scams. Together, we can protect each other from fraud. #FraudAwarenessFriday #SmishingScam #StayVigilant #AmericanLegion #Veterans #CommunitySafety