Only trust contacts you know

Cybercrime is everywhere, and appearances can be deceiving. Someone who seems familiar, or real, could be an imposter.

Scammers often pose as someone we know or trust. They create convincing fake profiles, use personal details to seem familiar, or pretend to be in a crisis and need urgent help. Their goal is always the same: to get your personal and financial information. Falling for it can lead to identity theft and financial loss.

Five ways to protect yourself

1. Verify who they are. If someone reaches out online claiming to know you, confirm it another way, such as a phone call or video chat.
2. Don’t share personal information. Be careful with your address, phone number and financial details. Legitimate people and organizations won’t ask for these online.
3. Use privacy settings. Limit what strangers can see on your social media so imposters have less to work with.
4. Beware of urgent requests. Pressure to act right away, especially to send money, is a major red flag.
5. Keep learning. Stay informed about the latest scams so you can recognize the warning signs.

The bottom line

Just because someone seems familiar doesn’t mean they’re trustworthy. Stay vigilant and follow these steps to protect yourself.