10/02/2026
October is , a good time to remember that cybercriminals are getting better at looking – and sounding – legitimate. Emails, texts, websites and even voices can be convincingly faked. A little skepticism can go a long way toward protecting your money and identity.
One good rule for 2026: If a message creates urgency, fear or excitement and then asks you to click, pay or share information, slow down and verify first.
A few smart habits:
• Think twice before making purchases or accessing financial accounts on public Wi-Fi.
• Never send money or provide account information in response to an unexpected email, text or call.
• Be suspicious of urgent requests – even when they appear to come from someone you know. When in doubt, verify using a phone number or website you already trust.
• Look closely at links and website addresses. Fake sites can be nearly identical to the real thing.
• Never provide sensitive information – Social Security number, date of birth, passwords or verification codes – unless you know exactly who is asking and why.
• Be thoughtful about what you share on social media. Scammers use personal details to make an impersonation attempt more convincing.
• Use strong, unique passwords – or passkeys where available – and don't reuse passwords across accounts.
• Turn on multi-factor authentication, especially for email, banking and financial accounts. (Yes, it can be annoying. It’s also effective. And for your protection.)
One good rule for 2026: If a message creates urgency, fear or excitement and then asks you to click, pay or share information, slow down and verify first.
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