How to Protect Yourself From Scammers

There is no understating how careful you must be with where you deposit your personal information. Now more than ever, hackers around the world spend day and night figuring out ways to steal your identity and personal information and use it for none other than personal gain.

1. Mobile Protection

   One common and surefire way to protect your information is by requiring some sort of
   passcode to unlock your mobile device. Passcodes can range from patterns to numerical codes
   or custom passwords. By setting up some kind of passcode that only you have knowledge, you
   can make sure that should your phone get misplaced or stolen, all of your information will stay
   protected. Setting up some sort of antivirus protection can also add a level of security against
   those seeking your personal information. You also want to make sure that any important
   information that you have on your phone is backed up on another device. This can be easily
   accomplished through iCloud for Apple devices or Dropbox if you use an Android device, or
   even the old-fashioned way with just a piece of paper and a pen.
   It’s also a good idea to have the latest antivirus protection set up on your phone. While
   many only associate virus protection to desktops or laptop devices, smartphones are not
   immune to malware by any means, so having a mobile firewall can definitely play an important
   role in protecting your private information.

2. Computer Protection

   Like most people, you probably have your most sensitive information stored on your
   computer which can include copies of your identification documents, but usually also
   passwords, codes, addresses, sentimental photos and much more. Having the latest software
   
   installed from reputable cybersecurity companies like McAfee or Norton provides a much
   needed layer of security from potential viruses and malware.
   Another great way to protect sensitive information is by using strong passwords and
   activating “two-step authentication” on websites where it is available. Using a strong password
   will make it much less likely that anyone with malicious intentions will gain access to your
   information and two-step authentication will require you to approve of every time someone is
   trying to log in to one of your accounts.

3. Phone Calls and Phony Emails

   Lastly, if you receive emails from unfamiliar email addresses or unexpected phone calls
   asking for your personal address - do not engage in conversation under any circumstances.
   Scammers and fraudsters exist in every country in the world and can call and email
   internationally. One important thing to note is that if the IRS or any other government
   institution genuinely needs your personal information, they will send a request by mail. If
   you’re unsure about the legitimacy of an email or phone call, just ignore it.
   Identity theft and similar schemes happen every single day to tens of thousands of
   innocent, unexpecting people. In this day and age, knowing how to protect your personal info is
   imperative so that you don’t find yourself at the mercy of scammers. We highly recommend
   implementing the tips in this article to create a level of protection for yourself against those
   looking to profit off of your information.