Timely Topic – Nine Ways to Protect Yourself from Scams

Scammers target people of all demographics and often succeed because they catch you off guard. Practicing good security habits can help reduce your chance of becoming a victim. Here are nine best practices to better protect yourself and your loved ones.

BY THE NUMBERS

In 2022, victims reported $10.3 billion in losses to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
IC3 has received more than 2,175 complaints per day over the past 5 years.

Source: FBI 2022 Internet Crime Report.

ON THE RISE

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are allowing scammers to clone the voices of loved ones. Remember, always verify the story.

Source: Federal Trade Commission, “Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes,” March 2023.

RESOURCES

IRS – Tax scams & Consumer alerts
Better Business Bureau – Scam Tracker

Please keep in mind this material should be used as helpful hints only. Each person’s situation is different.

1	Always initiate the interaction yourself	Ask yourself: is this a normal or typical interaction and means of communication? Verify information through another source. Proactively reach out to entities using known contact information.
2	Create strong, unique passwords	Use at least 12 characters comprised of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols. Create different passwords for each account. Use multifactor authentication. (Multifactor authentication is when you need a password and a code sent to text or email) Consider using a password manager. (examples – Dashlane, 1Password, etc..)
3	Back up information and update software	Back up important information to an encrypted device. Update software, including operating systems, web browsers and apps.
4	Review and monitor all financial accounts and statements	Check for inaccuracies. Review credit reports annually. Consider freezing your credit.
5	Be mindful online	Use a personal device and trusted, secured network for sensitive browsing. Avoid public Wi-Fi or use a virtual private network (VPN). Be careful when sharing personal information on social media. Review the default settings on your apps.
6	Protect sensitive information	Store important documents and information in a safe. Use a shredder and sign up for eDelivery if available. Use a locked mailbox. Sign up for Informed Delivery through the US Postal Service at USPS.com.
7	Reduce the number of unwanted phone calls and text messages	Register your phone with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. Visit ctia.org to see what services, tools and apps may be available to block, filter and flag unwanted calls and texts.
8	Be cautious when opening emails or text with links or attachments	Think before you click. Verify that you know the sender. Consider reading email on your computer as opposed to your phone or tablet.
9	Report scams	Internet and international scams can be reported to the FBI at ic3.gov. Other scams can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov.

If you ever have any questions about how we protect your data, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

For your convenience we have provided a link to the S Harris Financial Group Privacy Policy (click here) for you to understand how we are committed to protecting your privacy and information.

We hope and pray you and your families stay healthy, and enjoy this holiday season.

Sincerely,

The S. Harris Financial Group

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. S. Harris Financial Group is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Investment advisory services offered through S. Harris Financial Group and Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

Raymond James Financial Services does not accept orders and/or instructions regarding your account by email, voice mail, fax or any alternate method. Transactional details do not supersede normal trade confirmations or statements. Email sent through the internet is not secure or confidential. Any information provided in this article has been prepared from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed by Raymond James Financial Services.

Any opinions are those of S. Harris Financial Group and not necessarily those of Raymond James. S Harris Financial Group does not provide cyber security advice. The information contained within this material is for awareness purposes only, given the rapid pace of change in technology, the digital world and cyber threats. Third-party websites and applications are not affiliated with SHFG, and SHFG is not responsible for their content or content changes or for any negative effect of software installations on clients’ devices, misuse of data collected by any third-party services, or changes in the quality of services.

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James and S Harris Financial Group is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James and S Harris Financial Group is not responsible for the content of any websites or the collection or use of information regarding any of website’s users and/or members.

BY THE NUMBERS

ON THE RISE

RESOURCES

1

Always initiate the interaction yourself

2

Create strong, unique passwords

3

Back up information and update software

4

Review and monitor all financial accounts and statements

5

Be mindful online

6

Protect sensitive information

7

Reduce the number of unwanted phone calls and text messages

8

Be cautious when opening emails or text with links or attachments

9

Report scams

The S. Harris Financial Group