Here are some ways to help protect your family online:
1. Learn to spot imposter scams
Have you ever received a call, text or email regarding suspicious activity detected on your account or suspended online access? It could be a scammer trying to convince you to share sensitive information that would enable them to access your accounts.
Increasingly, criminals are able to impersonate financial institutions, large companies and even government agencies by spoofing caller ID or email addresses so they appear to be legitimate. When you receive a suspicious or unexpected communication, do not respond or click any email links. Instead, contact the company directly using a phone number on its website. Learn more about how to spot common scams at wellsfargo.com/security.
2. Manage and monitor your credit
Protecting your credit file from unauthorized activity and fraud is essential to protecting your identity and finances. Consider placing a credit freeze on your credit file as well as children’s and elderly family members’ credit files.
Credit freezes must be implemented and lifted separately at each credit bureau (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) for yourself and each individual you’re acting behalf of. Upon the completion of a credit freeze, you will be provided a PIN code that can be used to lift a freeze. Store this code in a safe location should you need access to it in the future.
Regularly review your credit file to identify and report errors or potentially suspicious activity to the credit bureau it’s found at. The three major U.S. credit bureaus are required to provide one free credit report annually upon request via annualcreditreport.com
3. Limit what you share on social media
Cyber criminals and fraudsters scour social media profiles for clues to security questions, passwords and other information that could help them impersonate potential victims online.
Consider setting your social media profiles to private — and encourage your family members to do the same. Finally, watch what information you disclose. Revealing too much personal information in your social profiles or posts can put you at greater risk of identity theft, especially if your bank or other companies use that information to verify your identity.
4. Protect your home network
Ensure your home’s wireless network is protected with a strong, unique password. Consider using a unique phrase with a mix of letters, numbers and special characters. Additionally, avoid using any part of your name or home address, information shared on social media, or anything else someone could easily guess.
5. Stay up-to-date
Cybercriminals change their tactics frequently, so try to stay on top of the latest threats. Keep your devices and apps updated with the latest security patches, and be sure to review the resources provided by your bank, investment firm and other financial providers to understand ways to help protect your family and yourself online. Sign up to receive scam alerts from the Federal Trade Commission by visiting ftc.gov and selecting “Get Consumer Alerts.”
This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Ponte Vedra Wealth Management Group in Ponte Vedra Beach at 904-273-7918.
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