Phone scams and data breaches

Rising threat of Phone Scams and Data Breaches

The Rising threat of Phone Scams and Data Breaches

 

This week in Jacksonville FL, there has been an increase in phone scams (Vishing) targeting people’s bank accounts. The scammers impersonate bank representatives to gain access to the victim’s checking account and after they’re in, they lock the victim out of their account. These scams are often sophisticated, leveraging data from recent breaches to make their attacks more convincing.

 

Recent Data Breaches

 

Time and time again, organizations are being breached causing a staggering amount of personal information to be exposed for the world to access. For example, the Indian Council of Medical Research suffered a breach affecting 815 million records. Not only them but also 23andMe experienced a breach impacting 20 million records – Source Link. Such breaches provide scammers with a wealth of data to use in their attacks, making it crucial for individuals to be vigilant. For this reason, we’re providing you with a list of cybersecurity best practices below.

 

To protect yourself from phone scams and the fallout of data breaches, consider the following cybersecurity best practices:

 

Verify Caller Identity: If you receive a call asking for sensitive information, hang up and contact the company directly using a verified phone number.

 

Guard Personal Information: Never share sensitive information like your Social Security number or bank account details over the phone unless you are certain of the caller’s identity.

 

Stay Informed: Keep an eye on news about recent data breaches. If a service you use is compromised, change your passwords, and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.

 

Use Strong Passwords: Create complex passwords and use a different password for each account. Consider using a password manager to keep track of them.

 

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: Where possible, enable multi-factor authentication on your accounts for an added layer of security.

 

Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.

 

Be Wary of Unsolicited Calls: Scammers often use scare tactics or urgent language to pressure you into giving up your information. If something feels off, it probably is.

 

Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with common scam tactics and stay updated on new scam trends.

 

In conclusion, by implementing these cybersecurity best practices, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to phone scams and mitigate the impact of data breaches.

 

Remember, staying informed and vigilant is your best defense against these evolving threats.

 

You can read our latest post on healthcare cybersecurity performance goals here. https://venturepointe.com/hhs-hph-cpgs-healthcare/