Taking Control of Your Digital Security Starts with Your Mindset

Newsletter Topics: FBI’s Elder Fraud Report, Deep Fake & Your Mindset!

🗞️ In the News:  The FBI’s 2023 Elder’s Fraud Report has been released. Individuals aged 60 and above reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion, an 11% rise in losses compared to 2022.

Key Data by the Numbers: 

• Complaints of Individuals over 60: 101,068

• Total Losses:  $3.4 billion

• Avg. Dollar Loss:  $33,915

Top Fraud/Scam Types: 

1. Tech Support 

2. Personal Data Breach 

3. Confidence/Romance

4. Non-Payment/Non-Delivery

5. Investment

Additional information and prevention tips about each scam type mentioned above in our upcoming newsletters. However, it all begins with the right mindset!

👀 Today’s Focus: Taking Control of Your Online Security Starts with Your Mindset!  

Every interaction you have online, via text, or over the phone carries the potential for scamming or hacking. Yes, that's the reality we face. You might think, 'But I trust my spouse/partner' or 'I trust my brother,' but how can you truly be certain it's them on the other end of the line when you communicate with your loved ones digitally?

What you see or hear these days may not always be what it seems. With just a picture and a short voice recording, Artificial Intelligence can fabricate videos that convincingly depict someone else. This phenomenon is known as Deep Fake. Still skeptical? Take a look at this Deep Fake video of Morgan Freeman.

As technology continues to advance and become more affordable, the creation of Deep Fakes depicting any person will become increasingly accessible. So, ask yourself these questions:

• During your last phone call with your partner, can you be certain it was them speaking? How do you know?

• If you receive a text from your daughter/son requesting money for their recent dinner, how can you verify that it's genuinely from them?

The mindset of how you approach these digital interactions is key in protecting your digital security. 

😎 Grandkid Tip of the Day:  Take the AAE Mindset! 

With every text, phone call, email, or online interaction: 

• (A) Assume it is a potential threat.

• (A) Assess the source. 

• (E) Engage if everything checks out. 

Assume - As scammers evolve their tactics with the latest technology, you must go into every digital interaction with the mindset that any of these interactions is a potential threat.  

Assess -  A whole book, can be written on tips to assess sources and we will be sharing more in future newsletters.  For now, it's crucial to recognize that scammers are primarily motivated by easy financial gain. They often employ common tactics, such as posing as family members or well-known service providers like Amazon, UPS, USPS, or insurance companies.

If you receive a request for a money transfer from a supposed family member via email or text, it's wise to verify their identity by giving them a call. Keep in mind that scammers can mimic voices, as demonstrated in the Deep Fake technology featuring Morgan Freeman. Therefore, ask personal questions that only you and the supposed family member would know the answers to, to ensure it's genuinely them.

Engage -   Once you've assessed the source and everything checks out, engage. However, refrain from clicking on links, transferring money, or providing information until you've completed the source assessment. It's important to note that even if someone you trust sends you a link, it doesn't necessarily mean they've thoroughly assessed the source themselves.

The Grandkids!

⭐ Share a story by replying to this email! - If you or someone you know has been hacked or compromised, share your story! We are always looking to raise awareness within our community!

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