By Carri Grube Lybarker, Administrator & Consumer Advocate, SC Department of Consumer AffairsWith October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month and December Identity Theft Awareness Month, this is the perfect time to arm yourself with tips on how to stay ahead of fraudsters.Whether youre shopping, banking, or using social media online, we need to shore up our devicesand accounts to prevent easy access for fraudsters:Keep up with software updates.Outdated software can make it easier for scammers to hack your device.If you see a software update notification, dont wait! Better yet, turn on automatic updates in your device settings.Use two-step authentication.
You need more than a password to protect your accounts, andusing multi-factor authentication helps keep hackers out.This requires an extra step after entering in your password like a temporary code sent to your email or by text to verify its you.Dont use the same password for all your accounts.If a scammer figures out the password, they could get into all your accounts.
Password protect your phone and mobile devices.Use a code or pattern, especially on devices that contain personal information or are used to log on to financial account.Also, keep these tips in mind when shopping online this holiday season to prevent a Grinch from stealing more than your cheer:If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.Be wary of deeply discounted prices, especially on third-party sites.
Always do research by looking at reviews and comparing prices.Pick your payment type wisely.If you can, pay with a credit card when shopping online.It offers extra fraud protection.Also, unlike a debit card, a credit card isnt a direct line into your checking account if someone steals it.Review your financial statements and keep your receipts.Read your financial statements during the holidays and beyond, ensuring there are no errors or fraudulent charges.
If there are, dispute them immediately.Also, its always a good idea to keep your receipts on hand in case you need to report a missing order or return an item.Make sure to beware and share this information with your friends and family.You play a crucial role in helping us arm others with tools to protect their personal information and hard-earned money.
To learn more about protecting your devices and identity, visit consumer.sc.gov and click Identity Theft/ Scams or call the SC Department of Consumer Affairs at at 803-734-4200.
Disclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Senior Savings Deals.
Publisher: Life Plan Community ( Read More )
Publisher: Life Plan Community ( Read More )
