Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft
Cybercrime has been everywhere this year. Even though reported attacks affect mostly large corporations, individuals must also remain vigilant, so their personal information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in the cybersecurity space to better protect your own online presence. The information I’m sharing explains the different types of phishing attacks that target consumer data. You’ll learn how these cyberattacks happen in the first place, plus what you can do to avoid inadvertently sharing your information with cybercriminals.
With so much of our personal information online, protecting it from cyberattacks should be a top priority. You’ll remain one step ahead of identity thieves when you’re able to maintain a smart presence online!
How Do Cyberattacks Happen?
Cyberattacks are A common way for identity thieves to access your personal information. Understand how these attacks happen so you can prevent them!
DID YOU KNOW? Phishing incidents Rose nearly 220% in 2020
Tip: don’t open attachments or links and emails you weren’t expecting.
Fake Calls (Vishing): The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), banks, or other major services (like Amazon) will very rarely request personal information over the phone. Calls like these are fake.
Tip: Do not return voicemails about “compromised accounts.” Instead review account activity online, then report the fake call to that service.
Tip: Most banks will never text you with information about your account. Call your financial institution’s direct line to verify any suspicious texts.
Social Media Phishing: Direct messages from fake accounts.
Tip: If you click a link in a direct message that appears to be from a familiar account, but it prompts you to re-enter your login credentials, it is fake.
Protecting Your Personal Information
These simple actions will help you stay one step ahead of cyberattacks and give you a plan if your information becomes compromised.
Ensure you have updated antivirus software and firewall running before you go online.
Regularly back up your files. Back up on multiple drives in case a drive fails.
Set up a credit monitoring service to know when you’ve been compromised so you can act quickly.
Enable to factor authentication whenever possible.
Create unique passwords of at least 12 characters, and use letters, numbers and symbols.
Keep security programs, browser plug-ins and all other software up to date.
Report the Attack
If you find out your information was compromised, report it at identitytheft.gov. The FTC will generate a customized recovery plan.
Copyright 2021 Buffini & Company. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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Simply put: Relationships. We pride ourselves not only in our professional service but more importantly in the personal touch we bring to our business. Has an agent/lawyer/contractor/vendor ever treated you like you were just another paycheck? The reason our clients come back time and again and refer all their friends and family to us is because they know we are part of the family.
Genuinely caring about the people we serve enables us to do things other agencies can’t. Rest assured, we will ALWAYS have your best interest at heart and work vigorously to get you the best deal possible on your home or business. The relationships we build with our clients enable us to work 100% by referral. The reason we are able to give top notch service to our clients is because our clients refer us a constant stream of quality family and friends to assist in their real estate needs. While other agents are out making cold calls and chasing “potential” leads, we are freed up by our referral base to service our clients like no other broker can. We are never too busy for your referrals!
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Are you or someone you know considering a home purchase? Don’t hesitate to call or text me, Michael Archbold, at 260-579-1516 and I will connect you with the best mortgage professionals in the business who can get you your score, discuss ways to improve it if necessary, and put you on the path to home ownership. Click here to read more about our Buyer Services. Click here to browse listings NOW! Looking to sell your home? Call today to set up an appointment to begin developing your customized marketing plan. Click here to read more about our Seller Services.
Hoosier Home Listings by RE/MAX Results is a full service real estate Web site serving Northeast Indiana. We assist residential and commercial clients in locating, buying, and selling real property in the State of Indiana including but not limited to the counties of Allen, Huntington, Wells, Adams, Whitley, Wabash, Kosciusko, Noble, Dekalb, Lagrange, Steuben and cities including Fort Wayne, Decatur, Bluffton, Huntington, Warsaw, Columbia City, Butler, and Angola. RE/MAX Results is an Equal Housing Opportunity company.
Hoosier Home Listings – Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft…
… brought to you by Michael Archbold, Hoosier Home Listings, and RE/MAX Results.
The consummate professional, Michael Archbold (Associate Broker, REALTOR, ePro) brings a diversified background to the world of real estate. Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Mike graduated Wayne High School in 1992. He received bachelors degrees in Accounting in 1997 from Indiana University and Information Technology in 2005 from Indiana Wesleyan University. Mike comes to RE/MAX with more than 20 years of experience in sales and accounting. He began his career in real estate in 2000 as an investor.
