Everyone Buys from Amazon! Right? (Part 1 of 4)

Posted in Board Brief on Sep 15, 2021

You get a text on the weekend from Amazon saying your package was delayed. The text has a link on it. You click on the link- (something just happened, but it was too fast to see) that takes you to a Customer Service phone number with the instruction to call.

It just so happened you didn’t order anything from Amazon. So, you call the Customer Service number to tell them you didn’t order anything at this time. The Customer Service agent asks you to get on your computer (or mobile device), open your browser and enter the following website (which sort of looks like Amazon).

They tell you to click...

Don't let this happen to YOU! (Part 3 of 3)

Posted in Board Brief on Aug 08, 2021

DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY

Why are Scam Artists contacting me?

Five years ago, the answer was more likely that you did something to expose your Personally Identifying Information (PII) or your Private Health Information (PHI).Unfortunately, with all the security breaches of some very big organizations, our information is out there.

This does not mean you should be lax about guarding your personal & private information. What it does mean is you are more likely to be a random target and need to take extra precautions.

You should always remain vigilant. Detecting a scam artist early will cause them...

The Anatomy of A Typical Scam (Part 2 of 3)

Posted in Board Brief on Jul 21, 2021

THE ANATOMY OF A TYPICAL SCAM What follows is the anatomy of a typical scam. The sole objective of a scam is to engage you (via voice or digitally). Avoid being engaged and you have already disarmed a scam attempt.

Basics of a Scam From the point of initial contact, scammers seek to instruct you to do something. AND, each successive step follows:

• More instructions,
• Escalation of a sense of urgency,
• Is more demanding, and
• Creation of a scenario where there is a financial problem (loss of funds, error in billing for something you did not purchase or a claim of fraud exposure) that ONLY the...

Don't Let This Happen to YOU! (Part 1 of 3)

Posted in Board Brief on Jun 16, 2021

A series on how scammers are targeting you in a post-covid world

Since March 2020, we have understandably become lax about sharing our personal information. Case in point – did you tell anyone today whether you got the vaccine, which one and if it was the first or second shot? See what we mean?

Starting in this Board Brief (and for several months going forward) we will be highlighting the latest in scams; what they are, the tactics to trap you and what you should do about them. For now, we want to share with you the fundamental things you should always do to avoid getting involved and becoming...

Exposing your Personal Information in the Post-COVID Era

Posted in Board Brief on May 19, 2021

We have experienced many challenges stemming from the Corona Virus over the last year. And, rightfully so. However, we have gotten in the habit of sharing our personal information in ways we would have questioned prior to the pandemic. It is time to rethink (or at least pause) when we are asked to share our personal information.

In the next few Board Briefs, we are going to provide some reminders of what information you should think twice about sharing. Let’s start with our Heath information.

What is PHI? Being vaccinated is a big topic today. Those of us who have chosen to receive one of the ...