Archives - Fraud Alerts

Cybersecurity and July 4th: How to avoid travel scams, public Wi‑Fi risks, and phishing over the holiday weekend

July 4th is a time for road trips, cookouts, fireworks, and quick online bookings—but it also creates the kind of rushed, distracted moments scammers love. Federal agencies warn that travel, public Wi‑Fi, fake invitations, and oversharing on social media can all raise your cybersecurity risk when you’re away from home. The threat is not hypothetical. […]

How to recognize and avoid common travel scams targeting tourists

Travel should feel exciting—not like a cybersecurity obstacle course. But scammers know travelers are distracted, rushed, and often searching for deals. That makes tourists prime targets for fake booking sites, bogus airline messages, vacation rental scams, and payment traps. The good news? Most travel scams follow predictable patterns. Once you know the red flags, you […]

How to use Do Not Disturb to block scam calls before they reach you

Scam calls work because they catch you in the moment. Your phone rings, the number looks familiar, and the caller sounds urgent. Before you know it, you’re answering questions, confirming details, or listening to a fake warning about your bank account, package delivery, computer, or taxes. One simple way to lower that risk is to […]

How the “fake refund” tech support scam works and how to protect yourself

Imagine getting a call or email from what appears to be a tech support company offering you a refund for services you previously paid for. Sounds like a nice surprise, right? Don’t fall for it. The “fake refund” scam is one of the most devious tricks in a cybercriminal’s playbook—and it’s costing victims billions. How […]

How to spot, stop, and report online scams impacting older adults

Older adults get targeted online for a simple reason: scammers assume they have savings, good credit, and a trusting nature. Add realistic AI voices, look‑alike websites, and “official” emails, and you get constant fraud attempts aimed at people 60+. The stakes are real. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report summary says people over 60 reported […]

Enable purchase notifications to stop credit & debit card fraud fast

Credit and debit card fraud happens far more often than most people realize — and not always because someone physically steals your card. Criminals can capture your card number through data breaches, skimmers, phishing scams, or compromised online checkout pages. That’s why enabling real‑time purchase notifications is one of the simplest and most effective ways […]