A few simple precautions can make all the difference

 

To help safeguard your information, if you get an unrequested phone call:

• Do not provide or "confirm" any of your personally identifying information.
• Never read back a one-time security passcode (unless you have initiated the service call to a company's official phone number).

Here are more steps to protect against scams and identity theft.

Stay vigilant against phishing!

Phishing is a technique criminals may use to try to trick you into giving them your personal information—information that they may then use to try to steal your identity. They often do this by impersonating a company or institution, and then asking you to click on a link, open an attachment, or to "confirm" your date of birth, Social Security number, or account credentials.

Even if you feel confident in your ability to spot a scam, it's important to stay vigilant in your daily life. Most phishing attempts are carried out by email, text message, or phone. Here are several warning signs that should raise suspicion:

Warning signs of phishing attempts

• Someone contacting you to say that you have won an award or freebie.
• Someone contacting you with a deal that sounds too good to be true.
• Phone calls, emails, or texts that claim to be from the IRS.
• Unusual communication from someone asking for help.
• Unusual communication (that may sound legitimate) claiming to be from a company you work with.
• Communication from an unfamiliar email address or phone number.

Remember that phishers may use urgent-sounding language to try to get you to click on a link or attachment right away—before you have time to think it through. To create this sense of urgency, they might claim that something very good has happened (like you've won some money), or that something very bad has happened (like you're in debt with the IRS). Be suspicious anytime you receive an out-of-the-ordinary text, call, or email that makes such claims.

Here's how you can protect yourself, particularly if you've received a suspicious or unexpected communication:

Protecting yourself against phishing attempts

• Stop communication with the phisher immediately.
• Hang up the phone or ignore the suspicious email or text.
• Do not click on any links or download any attachments.
• Do not provide or "confirm" any of your personally identifying information.
• If you think the communication could be a legitimate request from a company you do business with, hang up and then call the company directly.
• Never grant remote access to your computer or read back a one-time security passcode (unless you have initiated the service call to a company's official phone number).

Protect your phone service.

Think of how protective you are with something like your Social Security number. You know that if a criminal were to obtain it, they might be able to take out a credit card in your name, obtain your tax refund, or even worse.

Increasingly, your cell phone account is becoming something you need to protect just as diligently. If criminals can gain access to your phone calls and text messages, they can potentially steal one-time passcodes and break into your accounts.

For example, one way they may do so is with "SIM swapping." (A SIM card is a small plastic card that stores identifying information on your cell phone, and that allows you to make and receive calls.) With this scam, a fraudster may call your cell phone provider pretending to be you, saying that you have a new SIM card to activate. If the scammer already has some of your personal information (like the last 4 digits of your Social Security number, your date of birth, or your password for your mobile provider account), they might be able to convince the cell phone carrier that they are you and get your phone number reassigned to their SIM card.

Here are several warning signs not to ignore:

Warning signs that your phone has been compromised

• You stop receiving phone calls and text messages.
• Your phone says "no service" or "emergency calls only."
• Restarting your phone does not restore service.
• You receive emails from your cell phone provider about changes to your account.

 

-Fidelity Viewpoints