If online security is not something you think about often it should be, we not only spend a great deal of time online, but we manage much of our life online as well. Our online activities can include banking and managing our financial accounts, paying bills, accessing our medical records, shopping and more.

Here are some suggestions for staying safe online.

Passwords and MFA

Use the strongest security settings that are available for all of your online accounts. Most sites now offer MFA (Multifactor Authentication) This adds an additional layer of security to your accounts, instead of needing just a password to login you will need a second and possibly third method of authentication before you can access your account.

Choose a strong password for every site and never use the same password twice. Use a password manager to protect your login information. Most password managers come with a password generator that will create a strong password for you. A password should contain a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters and should be as long as possible. Change your passwords several times a year and anytime there is a security breach, or you believe someone may have access to your account.

Assign a strong password to log into your computer and protect your mobile phone and other devices with a secure login method.

Watch Where You Shop

Online stores are everywhere and almost every website you visit contains ad’s and popups to online shopping sites, but be careful where you shop and what you click on. Never shop at a site you are not sure of or one that seems questionable, the web address should show a padlock symbol and begin with “https” to indicate it is secure.

Only shop on well-known and familiar websites. Clicking a random link or ad can lead you to a malicious site which may look completely genuine but is run by criminals.

You can check a site at The Better Business Bureau and use their Scam Tracker to report and lookup scams.

Limit the information you provide to online shopping sites. There is no reason an online store needs to know your birthday, middle name, or any other personal details. You should only need to provide your payment information, name and address.  

Never shop when connected to public Wi-Fi where your information can easily be intercepted and stolen.

Always use a credit card, never a debit card to make online purchases. Credit cards offer better protection and are not directly linked to your bank account. You might consider getting a credit card with a lower credit limit strictly for online shopping, keeping it separate from your other credit card accounts.

Don’t save your payment information online. If a website is compromised any information saved in your account can be stolen.

Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi & Public Computers

Public Wi-Fi is everywhere, stores, coffee shops, the airport, hotels and more, but public Wi-Fi is not secure, and it is an easy target for hackers. If you must connect to public Wi-Fi never visit any sites that require you to login like email, banking and other financial sites.  And use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to prevent criminals from accessing your private data.

Avoid using public computers. These computers are often loaded with keystroke loggers and other malware so anything you do on the computer can be seen and stolen.

Avoid Suspicious Links & Attachments

Don’t click on any links or attachments in email or text messages you are unsure of. These can direct you to malicious websites designed to steal your information and infect your devices with malware.

Don’t Share Personal Information

Social media is dangerous. Users often share far too much information about themselves, and the information can be used to steal your money and your identity. It can put your personal safety at risk and can lead to home robberies and other malicious activities. Anything you post or share resides on the social media sites server and can be copied and shared by other users. Even if you delete something you post it is still out there forever. Criminals scan social media sites and harvest information, they can pair that information with other data they have gathered about you from security breaches and other online sources and build a detailed profile on you which can be used for identity theft and other criminal activity. The less you share the better.

Keep Your Computer & Other Devices Up to Date

Install operating system and app updates as soon as they are available. These updates keep you safe by patching security holes and vulnerabilities. They also improve performance and install new features.

Be Careful What You Download

Be careful when installing new programs and apps. Make sure you are getting the software from a reputable source. Malware is often hidden in software downloads.

Be Careful Meeting People Online

Many times, people you meet online are not who they claim to be. Fake profiles on social media, dating apps and other sites are a way for scammers to make a connection and trick you into providing personal and financial information which can lead to financial and identity theft and even physical harm.

Install Antivirus Software & Keep it Updated

Antivirus software protects you against viruses and malware. It cannot protect you against every online threat, but it can detect and remove most malicious software.

Adjust Security Settings

Marketers and hackers use security vulnerabilities in your browser to target you with ad’s, install malware and steal your information. Web browsers and mobile operating systems have security settings designed to protect you online. Websites also have their own security settings to enhance your privacy and keep your data safe. Enable the most restrictive security settings in your browser and on the websites you use to keep your data protected.

Backup Your Data

Protect your computer, mobile phone and other devices by having a backup plan in place so that your data is regularly and automatically backed up. Ideally you want three or more copies of your important data. The main copy and at least two other copies in completely separate physical locations such as an external hard drive or file server. When data loss happens, you want to be able to quickly and easily restore it.

Freeze Your Credit & Check Your Credit Reports

Freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Transunion and Experian and check your credit reports often. Freezing your credit is one of the best ways to protect yourself against identity theft. When your reports are frozen no one can pull your reports or open lines of credit in your name. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit reports with all three agencies. Look at your reports to ensure they are accurate and don’t contain any errors or false information which could indicate identity theft. Go to Annual Credit Report to get your free reports.

Review Your Financial Accounts

Review your bank, credit card and other financial account statements monthly so that you spot any errors or unusual charges or other activity. Setup alerts on all of your accounts so that you are aware of any activity that takes place like withdrawals, password changes or other events. Sign up for digital delivery so that your statements, invoices and other correspondence is sent digitally instead of through the Post Office. Mail theft is a major problem, mail is stolen from personal mailboxes and the USPS collection boxes.

Shred Documents Containing Financial and Personal Information

Don’t throw documents containing personal information in the trash before shredding them. Anything that contains your full name, phone number, address, Social Security number, bank account information or other private data should be shredded. Examples are ATM receipts, bank and credit card statements, bills and invoices, pay stubs, credit card offers and old credit and debit cards.

Learning how to recognize phishing, vishing and smishing attempts will help protect you against fraud and identity theft. As technology advances, cybercriminals use more sophisticated tactics to try to trick you into providing personal and financial information to commit fraud.

How to Recognize a Phishing Scam

Phishing is when a criminal uses bait to catch a “fish” the fish being the victim of their attack. They attempt to steal private information such as usernames and passwords, Social Security numbers, financial account information and other data that is then used for malicious purposes, often financial and identity theft.

Phishing is carried out through email, social media or malicious websites.  Scammers can impersonate legitimate financial institutions, businesses and government agencies.

Warning Signs of Phishing

• Any type of contact through email, social media or other websites that ask for personal information should be a huge red flag.
• The messages are often designed to create a sense of urgency, making you feel like you must act right away to avoid negative consequences. The messages may look very legitimate like they are coming from your bank, credit card company, business or government agency, they may contain company logos and branding that make them look real.
• The messages may contain attachments or links that when clicked prompt you to provide personal details.
• The messages often contain poor grammar and spelling errors.
• The message may begin with a general greeting, rather than your name.
• They may contain a demand for payment or invoice you don’t recognize.
• If the message offers a prize, free tickets or money, limited time deals, contest winnings or other offers it is almost certainly a scam.

How to Recognize a Vishing Scam

Vishing is a term that combines “voice” and “phishing” to describe a scam that is carried out through a phone call. The goal of the criminal is to steal financial and personal information. The scammer may send a text message instructing you to call a number.

The caller impersonates a government agency, business, tech support agency or financial institution. The number they are calling from can look legitimate because they can spoof caller ID. They often convey a sense of urgency implying that your account is in jeopardy, and you must act quickly to protect yourself.

Warning Signs of Vishing

• Red flags that should alert you to a vishing scam are urgency and fear tactics and requests for financial and personal information.
• Calls from numbers you don’t recognize.
• Poor grammar, unusual background sounds, voice glitches and poor call quality.
• Robocalls with automated messages.

How to Recognize a Smishing Scam

Smishing scams are similar to phishing scams, the difference is that the scammers use SMS or messaging apps to conduct their cybercrimes rather than emails or phone calls. The term is a combination of “SMS” and “phishing.” The criminal creates a fake scenario, or “pretext”, to manipulate the victim with the goal of getting them to provide personal, confidential and financial information that leads to fraud.

Warning Signs of Smishing

The warning signs of smishing are similar to those of vishing.

• Text messages from numbers you don’t recognize.
• Requests for personal and financial information.
• Prompts to click a link or call a phone number.
• Poor spelling and grammar.
• The messages try to create a sense of urgency or feel threatening.

How to Protect Yourself

• Never respond to any message you are unsure of. If you receive a message that looks like it is coming from a legitimate source contact that source directly at a number you know to be true.
• Never give any personal or confidential information to anyone through an email message, text message, phone call or online.
• Mouse over any links or email addresses to see if they appear fraudulent.
• Use a complex, unique password for every website and use MFA (Multifactor Authentication) on every website that offers it.
• Keep the operating system, apps and programs on your computer and phone up to date.
• Use antivirus software.
• Don’t post your phone number online or give it out to people or businesses you don’t know.
• Don’t answer calls from number you don’t know.
• Delete all suspicious texts.
• Join the National Do Not Call Registry through the Federal Trade Commission. Adding your number to the list can reduce the amount of telemarketing calls you receive. https://www.donotcall.gov/
• Automated vishing calls rely on a response from the victim. Don’t press buttons or respond to prompts.
• Never allow remote access to your computer, phone or other devices.
• Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right it’s probably not.
• Freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Transunion and Experian and check your credit reports often.
• Back up your computer and other devices to avoid data loss.
• Review your bank and other financial account statements regularly so you are aware of any problems.

Enabling fraud alerts on your financial accounts is smart. These alerts warn you of different activities that take place within your account such as deposits, withdrawals, password and address changes and other activities you need to be aware of. The alerts act as a safety net so that you know when account activity happens, without alerts you may not be aware if your accounts have been compromised.

But what happens when the fraud alert is itself fraudulent?

Scammers can mimic fraud alerts and trick you into providing your personal and financial information to them. These fake alerts can look like they are coming from your bank, credit union, brokerage firm, retirement account, credit card company or other financial institutions.

While each scam is different, they all follow a similar pattern, you receive an account alert notification, this can come in an email message, text message or phone call. The person pretends to be with your financial institution and says there is a problem with your account, their goal is to gain access to your account.

In many cases the scammer will already have some of your personal information due to the numerous data breaches that have taken place or from gathering the information from what you have shared on social media, so they can sound legitimate. They may have your name, address, account balance and even your Social Security number.

Often their intent is to steal your multifactor authentication code so they can gain full access to your account. They may say that to secure your account they need to send you a code that they ask you to give them, if you follow through and provide them with the authentication code, they use it to access your account. With the data breaches that have occurred, chances are your username and password may have been compromised. This is why using the same password for multiple sites is a very bad idea. If the scammer already has your username and password all they need is the authentication code to get in.

How to Protect Yourself

Enable fraud alerts on all of your financial accounts, even though scammers can try to trick you with fake alerts it is important that you are aware of any activity related to your accounts. You will become familiar with a legitimate alert so it will be easier to spot a fake.

Enable multifactor authentication on all of your accounts.

Use a strong, long password for each account, never use the same password twice and change your passwords several times a year. Use a password manager to store your information.

If you receive a phone call, text message or email message warning you of activity on your account do not respond. Instead log into your account online or call your financial institution to check on your account.

Never engage with anyone you don’t know.

No legitimate company will ever ask you for your username, password or authentication code.

Scammers can spoof legitimate phone numbers, even if the caller ID displays a number that looks authentic be skeptical.

Scammers will try to instill a sense of urgency to get you to react and respond quickly without thinking it through. Your financial institution will never use threats or scare tactics.

Never answer any questions from a random caller.

Do not post sensitive information online. The less information you post, the less data you make available to cybercriminals. Criminals scan social media and harvest bits of information that they can use along with information obtained through a data breach to build a detailed profile on you.

Remember, if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

Consumers spend a lot of money during the holiday season and scammers are always looking for opportunities to take advantage of shoppers.

During the busy holiday season people often let their guard down which makes them more vulnerable to scammers.

The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, marking the first time that fraud losses have reached that benchmark. This marks a 14% increase over reported losses in 2022.

Here are some common holiday related scams to watch out for.

Gift Card & Shipping Scams

Scammers tamper with gift cards while they are on display at the store, they can record the gift card number and when the card is activated steal the funds. Criminals can also hack electronic gift cards and steal the money without ever possessing the card.

When purchasing gift cards from a store, look for any signs of tampering and get a receipt so that if there is an issue with the card you can attempt to get a refund. If purchasing online only buy from well known, reputable retailers.

Shipping scams come in many varieties, which can include false notifications about problems with an order or shipment. If you are concerned about a shipment don’t respond to email or text messages, instead visit the retailer’s website to check on your order and track deliveries through the delivery company’s official website.

Porch pirates steal packages once they have been delivered. If you are expecting a delivery, try to be home to receive it, or arrange for a neighbor or friend to hold the package for you. If you receive a lot of deliveries consider purchasing a secure, antitheft package locker.

Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery, this service sends a daily email with a preview of your incoming mail and packages and allows you to control your deliveries.

Bogus Deals on Hard-to-Find Items

Every holiday season there are “must have” toys and other items and they can be hard to find. Scammers target people looking for these hard-to-find items and people desperate to get them may overlook red flag warning signs.

Watch out for deals that seem too good to be true with the promise of an extremely low price.

Before purchasing anything online, check to be sure the site is legitimate it should be secure with a padlock symbol and the address should start with “https” search for them at the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google. Check Reddit to see if other users have commented on the site.

Seasonal Job Scams

Many retailers and others offer seasonal employment but watch out for scammers posting fake jobs to trick you into providing personal information. If you are looking for a seasonal job, be cautious, scammers often offer a position without an interview. They may ask for personal information such as your Social Security number or banking information. Never provide personal or financial information to secure a job.

Social Media Scams

During the holidays, scammers use social media to trick people by offering gift cards, prizes or other incentives for taking part in surveys or promotions. If you participate your personal and financial information may be stolen. Scammers also post fake online stores designed to steal money and personal information. Social media is a hotbed for scammers, be cautious of anything you see there.

Fake Account Problem Notifications

These happen all year but there is typically an uptick during the holiday season. Most of them come from someone impersonating a bank or credit card company notifying you that there has been fraudulent activity associated with your account. They attempt to get you to send money or personal information to secure your account.

Never respond to text messages, phone calls or email messages warning you of a problem with your account. If you are concerned call your financial institution directly.

Charity Scams

There is always an increase in charity scams during the holidays, fraudulent charities designed to steal your money. Don’t fall for them. If you want to donate to a charity, contact them directly not through a link, text message, phone call or social media.

Imposter scams are increasingly common, in 2023 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said there were over 330,000 reports of business impersonation scams and nearly 160,000 reports of government impersonation scams. Losses from these scams topped $1.1 billion, that’s more than three times what consumers reported in 2020.

Imposter scams typically start with a phone call, text message or email message posing as a legitimate company, a government agency, or a person you know and trust. They can use official-looking emails, websites, or phone numbers to deceive victims. The scammer most often tries to create a sense of urgency or fear to prompt you to take action quickly without thinking. Their intent is to steal your money and personal information which can lead to financial and identity theft.

How to Protect Yourself

Education is the best defense. Stay informed about common scams.

Be cautions of any type of communication that wants you to provide personal, financial, or sensitive information. Never respond to these requests and never share your confidential information with anyone. Any request for this type of information should be a huge red flag.

Be leary of unsolicited phone calls, text messages or email messages.

Never allow anyone to remotely access your computer.

Don’t answer calls from numbers you don’t know.

Beware of any communication that tries to instill a sense of urgency or panic.

Always take the time to verify the identity of the person contacting you. Legitimate businesses and government agencies will never contact you out of the blue asking for confidential information or pressuring you to act quickly. Even if they are posing as a friend or family member be suspicious. Reach out to the person directly at a number you know to be true.

Watch for communication that contains unusual grammar, poor spelling, or strange language. Carefully examine email addresses and URL’s. Scammers often change just one letter in an address that makes it slightly different from a legitimate address.

Don’t click on links or attachments which can direct you to malicious sites or infect your device with malware.

Always use secure payment methods, scammers often request payment via wire transfer, gift cards, debit cards tied directly to your bank account, P2P payment apps and cryptocurrency.

The scam typically comes in the form of a phone call, the caller claims to be from your local law enforcement or judicial agency.

They inform you that you have missed a jury duty summons or failed to turn up for jury duty and there is a warrant for your arrest, or you could be arrested. The scammer may have your name, address, date of birth and other personal information. The caller ID may display a legitimate number, but it is not, the number has been spoofed to further convince you that the call is authentic.

The scammer tells you that you can avoid arrest if you pay a fine, they may ask for payment using a gift card, prepaid debit card, payment app, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or some other form of payment.

They may also ask for personal or private information that can be used for financial and identity theft. Their intention is to instill a sense of fear and urgency and steal your money.

Another version of the scam can come in an email or text message with a link or attachment for jury duty or a jury summons. Clicking the link or attachment will direct you to a fraudulent site or download malware on your device.

How to Avoid Being Scammed

Never provide personal or financial information to someone who contacts you out of the blue.

Be skeptical of all unsolicited phone calls, emails, or text messages.

If you are concerned contact the appropriate judicial agency and ask.

Hang up on callers that pressure or threaten you.

Beware of requests to pay via wire transfer, prepaid debit or gift cards, digital wallet apps, or cryptocurrency. These types of payment requests are a red flag because you cannot get your money back once you realize you have been scammed.

Federal courts do not require anyone to provide personal information over the phone.

Courts send jury duty summonses and notices about failure to appear for a court date through the USPS mail.

Citizens are not required to pay a fine for missing jury duty without first being given the opportunity to explain themselves in court.

Court officials will never demand payment over the phone, through email or by text message.

In April 2024, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission warned consumers of a text message-based scam in which criminals falsely claim to represent tolling agencies from across the country. In a scam known as “smishing,” these fraudsters request payment for unpaid tolls they claim you owe.

Smishing is a form of phishing that relies on text messages. The scam starts with a text message that looks like it is coming from the Ohio Turnpike, it might say that you have an outstanding toll amount on your record, to avoid a late fee you are prompted to click a link to settle your balance. The link and text message are fraudulent.

The scam has been reported in at least three states so far. The targeted phone numbers appear to be chosen at random and are not specifically associated with an account or the usage of toll roads.

The Ohio Turnpike does not request its E-ZPass customers to make payments by text. Collections of unpaid tolls and/or toll violations do not occur by text either.

If you use Ohio Turnpike’s E-ZPass the legitimate web address is http://www.ezpassoh.com and www.ohioturnpike.org.

The FBI recommends individuals who receive the fraudulent text contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov

How to Avoid Smishing Scams

Never click on a link in a text message you are not certain of.

Don’t respond to text messages from senders you don’t know, even if the message requests that you “text STOP” to end messages.

Never provide personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you by phone or text.

Block number from fraudulent callers.

Install security software on your device, using security software can provide an additional layer of protection against phishing attacks.

Make sure your devices and security apps are up to date.

Use a unique password for every website, and use MFA for every site that offers it.

For questions about the Ohio Turnpike’s E-ZPass notifications, contact ezpassoh.com or ohioturnpike.org.

Scammers prey on older adults because they are often better off financially, own their own homes and have a good credit rating. Those qualities make them very attractive to scammers looking to take advantage of them.

The FBI reports that elder fraud, scams targeting individuals 60 and older caused over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023—an increase of approximately 11% from the previous year. The average victim of elder fraud lost $33,915.

And the numbers may be even higher than reported because many seniors don’t report that they have been scammed because they are embarrassed, scam victims should not feel ashamed, scammers use sophisticated tactics to trick people out of their money and personal information.

There are many different types of scams that target older adults, here are some to be aware of.

Artificial Intelligence Scams

Using artificial intelligence scammers call people and use cloned voices to impersonate a friend or family member making it sound like they are in trouble, they request money and often tell the victim to keep the call a secret.

If you receive this type of call, hang up the phone and call your friend or relative directly.

Romance Scams

You meet someone online and they tell you they live in another part of the country or they are in a foreign country for business or military deployment. They quickly try to develop a relationship with you and suggest you move your relationship to a private channel like email or text.

Over time, you feel yourself growing closer. You make plans to meet in person, but something always comes up that prevents the meeting. Then you get an urgent request, there is some type of emergency (a medical problem or personal or business crisis) and they ask you to send money.

The requests for money can continue until you finally realize you are being scammed.

Be extremely careful meeting someone online and understand that it is a huge red flag if they ask for money. Never send money to someone you meet online.

Tech Support Scams

Someone may call you on the phone, contact you through email or you might get a pop-up message on your computer or phone warning you of a problem. You will be prompted to click a link or call a number to get help. If you fall for the scam, they most often request remote access to your computer to “fix the problem” They may ask for payment and once they have remote access to your computer they will steal your personal and financial information.

Don’t fall for this type of scam, no legitimate company will ever contact you and tell you they have found a problem with your computer or other device and offer to fix it. If you get a pop-up, shut your computer off, if it is a phone call hang up and don’t respond to any email messages or click on links. Never allow anyone remote access to your computer.

Problem With Your Account

Scammers will pretend to be from a legitimate company you do business with like your bank or credit card company. They tell you there is a problem with your account and prompt you to provide personal information so that they can resolve the issue. If you provide this information it leads to financial and identity theft.

Never provide personal or confidential information to someone that calls you or sends you a text or email. If you are concerned call the business directly at a number you know to be true.

Impersonator Scams

You get a call and the scammer poses as a government official from the Social Security Office, IRS or a law enforcement agency. They report a problem with your account and demand payment often threatening you. If you provide this information it leads to identity and financial theft.

No government agency will call and threaten you or demand payment. Hang up the phone immediately, never provide any personal or payment information.

These are just a few examples of common scams that target seniors. Here are some tips to avoid being scammed.

Never provide your credit card, banking information, Social Security number, Medicare number or any other personal information over the phone, by text or by email.

Shred all confidential information before throwing it in the trash.

Sign up for the “Do Not Call” list and remove yourself from mailing lists.

Use direct deposit for checks and payments to prevent mail theft.

Be skeptical of all unsolicited offers. Never hire someone to do a job that shows up at your door or calls you on the phone.

Never respond to threats or demands for payment.

Monitor all of your financial accounts for unusual activity, sign up for text an email alerts so you are notified when account activity takes place.

Freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Review your credit reports often to check for errors.

Sign up for USPS informed delivery so that you know what mail will be delivered to you each day. USPS Informed Delivery

Don’t send checks in the mail. If you order checks have them delivered to your bank and pick them up in person.

Block unwanted calls, text messages and emails.

Never open attachments or click on links you are unsure of.

Use a different, secure password for each website and setup multifactor authentication. Change your passwords several times a year.

Be careful what you post online. Keep your private life private.

Final Thoughts

Stay aware of the types of scams that are taking place, if you have been scammed report it to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Notify your bank, credit card company, Social Security and any others that should be aware.

Utility scams are designed to take advantage of utility customers by threatening to disconnect their service if they don’t pay them immediately. They may also try to convince you that you are paying too much for service or try to get you to switch to a different provider. Whatever their motive, the scammers intent is to steal your money and personal information.

They contact customers by phone, email or by showing up in person at their home.

How to Spot a Utility Scam

They demand immediate payment saying that your account is past due.

They ask for unusual payment methods like money orders, cash, cryptocurrency, payment apps or prepaid debit or gift cards.

They pressure or threaten you and may say that your utility service will be turned off unless you comply.

They ask for confidential information like your account numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, driver’s license information or credit card information.

They may offer refunds or large discounts to entice customers into providing confidential information.

They tell you they need to see your most recent bill to fix a problem with your account.

They threaten to disconnect your utility service unless you pay a fee.

The scammer comes to your home after a power outage and says you need to pay a fee immediately to restore your utility service.

You receive an email or text message that looks like it is coming from your energy provider. It could imitate a bill or a late payment notice. It may also include a link to a legitimate looking website prompting you to provide your personal/payment information.

Some scammers may already have some of your personal data, there have been countless data breaches in which our personal information has been exposed. The scammer may try to get you to provide additional information like your birthday, Social Security number, bank account information or other private details so that they can commit identity theft.

How to Avoid Scams & Protect Yourself

Never respond to suspicious emails or text messages. Don’t click on links or attachments prompting energy bill payment. If you are unsure if an email is legitimate call your utility company directly using the phone number found on your statement.

Never provide confidential or financial information to anyone over the phone or who shows up at your door.

Be aware of caller ID spoofing which can change the readout appearing on caller ID to make a call look like it is coming from your utility company.

Protect your information, shred any confidential documents that contain personal, financial, or billing information before you throw them away. To limit the amount of mail you receive, go paperless, sign up for online statements and bill pay.

Check your account status by logging into the utility providers website or by calling customer service directly. You can view your billing details and what energy plan you are enrolled in.

Be suspicious of anyone demanding payment, most energy providers send multiple notices if you miss payments, or your account is overdue.

Familiarize yourself with your energy contract, know the name of your current provider and the rate you’re paying.

Never show your utility bill to anyone who shows up at your door or provide billing details to someone who emails you or calls you on the phone.

If you receive a phone call you are in any way unsure of hang up.

Your utility company will never show up at your home to collect a payment.

Stay informed, regularly check if there are any scams happening in your area, and don’t be embarrassed to report a scam if it happens to you.

If you have been the victim of a scam, call your provider using the phone number on your utility bill, call the local police department and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Spam email is annoying and dangerous, so what can you do to prevent it and cut down on the amount of spam you receive?

Use a Secondary Email Address

Use a secondary email address for things like online ordering, registrations and signing up for newsletters and other mailings.

Be mindful of who you share your primary and secondary email address with. When asked for your email address pause and consider whether you want to share this information. Stores and other merchants generally only ask for an email address so that they can target you with ads and junk mail, and they may share or sell your information to others. Keep your email addresses as private as possible.

Use a Spam Filter

Most email providers like Outlook, Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo have strong spam filters turned on by default. You can train the spam filter to work better by marking spam messages that make it through as “spam” or “junk”. You can also block specific email addresses or entire domains. Spam filters are not perfect so occasionally check your spam folder for any legitimate email that may have been mislabeled as spam. If you find something that is not spam, use the option to mark it as safe.

Unsubscribe

If you have signed up to receive emails that you no longer wish to get look for the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the message. Legitimate companies will allow you to opt out of further mailings. Don’t use the unsubscribe link in messages from unknown senders. The link could contain malware or verify that your email address is active inviting more spam.

Limit Carbon Copy (CC) Email

If you often receive email messages where your address is included with others in the CC field, ask the sender to use Blind Carbon Copy (BCC) instead which prevents your address from being visible to everyone else.

Consider Turning Off Read & Delivery Receipts & Automatic Processing of Meeting Requests

While some of these may be legitimate, spammers also use them to harvest and verify your email address. If you don’t want to turn these off completely most email providers allow you to approve or deny them on an individual basis.

Read The Privacy Policy

When you sign up for an online account, read the websites privacy policy which should explain how your personal information will be used. Many websites share and sell private information. If the policy is unclear or non-existent or it says they share your information, consider not using the services on that website.

Pay Attention When Buying Online

Pay attention when you are buying something online, often during the checkout process companies add check boxes to sign up for mailings, be sure to uncheck these before you continue, many time the boxes are checked by default. If you opt in, you are signing up to receive spam and unwanted email. They may also share or sell your email address with others. Similarly, when websites prompt you to accept cookies, don’t “Accept all”. Instead, select “Reject all” this is a way that advertisers can track you and target you with spam.

Don’t Reply to Unknown Senders

Don’t reply to spam email messages or any email from unknown senders. Don’t click on links or images within the message or click to unsubscribe. The message could be malicious and replying confirms to the scammer that your email address is legitimate which invites more spam.

Don’t Reply to Email Asking for Personal Information

Be suspicious of any email you receive that asks for personal information. Most legitimate companies don’t request personal information using email. Such a request could be a phishing attempt. If you are unsure and the email looks like it is coming from a legitimate company you do business with call them on the phone using a number you know to be true like one found on a statement, invoice, or other legitimate correspondence.

Don’t Forward Mass Email Messages

Don’t forward joke, political or similar emails and ask your contacts not to include you in these types of messages.

While you may not be able to prevent all spam from reaching your inbox, using these suggestions can limit the amount of junk mail you receive.