Understanding cybersecurity is extremely important, but we also understand that it can also be overwhelming at times. Below are some frequently asked questions with answers to help!
What should you do if you receive an email or phone call and are not sure whether it is a scam?
You should not respond to the email or phone call right away, instead, ask a trusted family member, friend, or someone who works at your senior care home if they believe that it is a scam.
If you are still not sure if the email or phone call is from a legitimate source, you can also try to contact the source in person or through an email or phone number you know is legitimate.
For example: If you get a phone call from someone who claims to work at your bank but are not sure if they are legitimate, then you can go to the bank in person or call a number that you know is legitimate and ask the bank if the person who emailed or called you was a scammer or an actual bank employee.
What should you do if you think you’ve been scammed?
You should try and protect your possibly compromised assets, which includes money, passport information, and anything else of value to you.
For instance, if you gave your credit card number to someone that you believe might be a scammer, then you should immediately call the bank and tell them this so they can cancel your credit card. Once your credit card has been canceled, the scammer would no longer be able to access your money.
What should you do if you notice a fraudulent withdrawal from one of your accounts?
First, you want to contact your bank immediately (preferably within 60 days), so that you can provide an alert to them. This step is important because there may be a chance that you, the account holder, can be liable for the full amount.
Do banks ask for your social security number or other private information?
It is common for scammers to ask for private information, but banks typically will not ask for your sensitive information through call, text, or email. (Note that banks may ask for some basic personal information like your name or birthday for verification purposes.) If the person on the phone asks for your social security number, home address, or any passwords, hang up and call the bank directly if needed.
How can a scammer access my data?
Scammers can access your data through accounts they have access to, discarded documents, health care records, insurance renewals. Scammers get access to people's accounts through many ways, but the most common ones are through installing malware, unsecured networks, and by gaining unsecured account information. Technology has advanced over this decade, so with just one click of a link, scammers may have the ability to access your device and information.
Other specific technology questions you aren’t sure how to answer?
Feel free to direct the participant to a dependable person, company, or website that may be able to help. You can also email us with any questions at emailcybersafe@gmail.com, or message us on Instagram @cybersafehawaii.
Li, May, 29