SMP CyberSAFE (2021-2024)

Avoid Money App Scams

"Do you use payment apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? Read this." 

Link to full article. 

Possible scams can be reported to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Avoid Gift Card Scams

By following a few simple steps, you can keep your hard-earned money safe from scammers. 

Link to full article. 

Possible scams can be reported to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

View our archives. 

Posted by LeeAnn Hepler

 

Summer Storms and Scammers

Dubbed the “Fifth Season” by local meteorologists and internet memes, Hurricane Season is here. If you’ve been a resident of the Gulf coast for any amount of time, you’ve probably started doing a little storm prepping – stockpiling extra water and batteries, checking your generator, making sure you have important paperwork in a safe place, etc. We do these little tasks each year to prepare for the “what ifs” of storm season. But, as Colleen Tressler of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states in her article, “threats from hurricanes don’t just come from wind and rain.” We need to prepare for the possible scammers that arrive after the storm has passed. Tressler’s article, How to Prepare for Hurricane Season 2022 and Avoid Storm-related Scams, gives valuable resources on ways to avoid and report storm-related scams.

Below are some of the tips from the FTC:

• Be Skeptical of anyone promising immediate clean-up and debris removal.
• Before you pay, ask for IDs, licenses, and proof of insurance.
• Never pay by wire transfer, gift card, or in cash.
• Never make the final payment until the work is done.
• Guard your personal information including your credit card, bank account, and Social Security Number.
• Know that FEMA doesn’t charge application fees.

For more information, visit Dealing with Weather Emergencies | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov).

Possible scams can be reported to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

View our archives. 

Posted by LeeAnn Hepler

 

Dubbed the “Fifth Season” by local meteorologists and internet memes, Hurricane Season is here. If you’ve been a resident of the Gulf coast for any amount of time, you’ve probably started doing a little storm prepping – stockpiling extra water and batteries, checking your generator, making sure you have important paperwork in a safe place, etc. We do these little tasks each year to prepare for the “what ifs” of storm season. But, as Colleen Tressler of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states in her article, “threats from hurricanes don’t just come from wind and rain.” We need to prepare for the possible scammers that arrive after the storm has passed. Tressler’s article, How to Prepare for Hurricane Season 2022 and Avoid Storm-related Scams, gives valuable resources on ways to avoid and report storm-related scams.

Below are some of the tips from the FTC:

• Be Skeptical of anyone promising immediate clean-up and debris removal.
• Before you pay, ask for IDs, licenses, and proof of insurance.
• Never pay by wire transfer, gift card, or in cash.
• Never make the final payment until the work is done.
• Guard your personal information including your credit card, bank account, and Social Security Number.
• Know that FEMA doesn’t charge application fees.

For more information, visit Dealing with Weather Emergencies | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov).

Cyber-attack Safety

Although we are half a world away from the unfolding events in Russia and Ukraine, it’s more important than ever to stay cyber-safe. There are steps you can take to protect your home and work devices from malicious cyber-attacks.

We should always be on the lookout for possible phishing attempts and malware attacks. Be cautious of opening emails from unknown senders or clicking links from unknown senders – when in doubt, don’t click.

The Federal Trade Commission provides many resources on protecting yourself from phishing scams and information on how to report possible scams.