Computers, tablets, phones and other personal devices hold your emails and your financial and tax documents (with your Social Security numbers).
The bad guys are currently using fake legal threats to scare you into downloading their malicious attachments. These email scams typically inform you that your organization is going to be sued. You’re instructed to review the attached file for details and to respond within a few days or further action will be taken against you. Once you open the attachment, which is usually a Microsoft Word document, your computer is instantly infected with Malware.
Who Does it Affect?
“Elder abuse”, or the mistreatment of older adults, occurs among people from all income levels and walks of life. Citizens above age 65 are most susceptible. It can take the form of physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse.
The perpetrators of financial abuse are typically family members, friends, or trusted advisors that are well aware of the senior’s financial situation. Someone tries to develop a level of trust with the older adult so they will voluntarily give away their assets.
Over the past few months, there’s been an increase in the bad guys taking advantage of this trusted file type. They’re finding ways to hide malware in PDFs so they make it past the security filters your organization has in place. Most often, the malware is executed once you open the PDF and click on a misleading link in the file.
Using free public WiFi at a coffee shop or airport hot spot is great for convenience, but bad for security.
Most free access points do not make use of encryption. This is done for convenience and ease of access. If every person had to ask the barista or gate attendant for the WiFi key, it would get unruly, and no actual work would get done.
Keep in mind that you are sharing those wireless airwaves with anyone that is within range of your wireless communications.
Phishing is when you get emails, texts, or calls that seem to be from companies or people you know. But they're actually from scammers. They want you to click on a link or give personal information (like a password) so that they can steal your money or identity, and maybe get access to your computer.
THE BAIT
Scammers use familiar company names or pretend to be somone you know.
As a business person, you know about phishing, of course. At first glance, the email looks like it comes from a recognized company, complete with a familiar logo, slogan, and URL. But it’s really from a cyber crook trying to con consumers out of account numbers, passwords, or cash. In addition to the serious injury these scams inflict on consumers, there’s another victim of phishing: the reputable business whose good name was stolen by the scammer.
The bad guys have come up with a scam to steal your Social Security Number (SSN). These fraudulent vishing, or “voice phishing” attempts often appear to come from the actual Social Security Administration (SSA) number–but the scammers are faking it.
When you answer the phone, the bad guys claim that your SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity or involvement in criminal activity. They’ll also claim your bank account will be seized, to shock you into action. The scammers will then ask you to confirm your SSN in order to reactivate it–don’t fall for this trick!
We have enhanced our eBanking service effective 1/9/2019. Users can now access 18 months of eStatements through eBanking and may choose to have statements sent monthly via email.
Current eBanking customers, we will initiate your enrollment to our enhanced eBanking 1/9/2019. Please watch your email that is linked to your eBanking account for an email that will be sent to you from Security Federal Savings Bank. The email will be come from info@secfedbank.com. Emails will be sent on or after 1/9/2019.
For all employees, if you receive a phone call from the IRS claiming you owe back taxes and must pay, don’t fall for it. This is a common scam that they try every year.
