Your financial security is only as strong as your digital security. A single stolen password, convincing scam or fraudulent investment offer can lead to lost savings, damaged credit or hours spent recovering compromised accounts. As our financial lives move increasingly online, protecting your personal information is part of protecting your financial future.
Cybercriminals are getting smarter, and technology like AI is making their job easier. But fortunately, some consistent habits can help protect you from many of today’s common threats.
Watch out for phishing. Phishing is a common way criminals break into accounts and steal money. These attacks often arrive as emails, texts or phone calls that appear to come from your bank, employer or another trusted organization. Fake websites can trick you into typing in your password or financial details.
To protect yourself, verify unexpected requests through a separate channel, such as calling a company directly using a number from its official website rather than one provided in a suspicious message. Avoid clicking unexpected links and consider using a password manager which auto-fills your login information only on legitimate websites.
Strengthen your accounts. Stolen passwords give criminals easy access to your email, banking and social media accounts. Try using a unique password for every account and enable multifactor authentication whenever it’s offered. When possible, choose phishing-resistant options like passkeys or security keys; they’re harder for scammers to bypass than basic text message codes.
Be skeptical of urgency. Scammers increasingly use deepfakes, which leverage AI-generated voices, videos and images to convincingly impersonate trusted people, including company executives, advisors and even family members. These messages often create pressure to send money or share sensitive information immediately.
If you receive an urgent request that feels off, slow down. Hang up and try calling back to the person or organization using a known phone number. Many successful scams rely on emotional pressure rather than technical tricks, so a moment of skepticism can go a long way.
Protect your money and identity. Fraudulent investment platforms and cryptocurrency schemes continue to cost Americans billions of dollars each year. Be cautious of investment opportunities promoted through unsolicited messages or social media contacts, and always verify a platform independently before sending money. If you’re unsure whether an opportunity is legitimate, a financial advisor can help evaluate it before you invest.
Data breaches can also put your information at risk, even when you’ve done everything right. It’s smart to check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unfamiliar charges, and to freeze your credit if you suspect your information has been compromised. You may also choose to freeze your credit preemptively.
Keep your devices updated. Software updates often fix security weaknesses that criminals could otherwise exploit. Backing up important files, whether to the cloud or an external drive, also protects you if ransomware ever locks you out of your own data.
Small habits matter. Unique passwords, multifactor authentication and skepticism help stop many scams before they start. Take steps to help safeguard your money, identity and long-term financial goals.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Joe Oliver, your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
Edward Jones, Member SIPC
Joe Oliver is a lifelong Oxfordian, husband, father, and financial advisor with Edward Joes Investments. Joe services business owners and individual investors by helping them accomplish their financial goals. For a complimentary financial consultation, connect with Joe at Joe.Oliver@Edwardjones.com.
Joe Oliver, CFP®,AAMS™
Financial Advisor
2250 Baltimore Pike
Oxford, PA 19363
484-702-9311
www.edwardjones.com/joe-oliver
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