Page 63 - Life In Naples March 2022 Flipbook

Simple Technique

to Protect Your Assets

from Cyber Threats

rotecting your assets from cyber threats Instead of having to memorize a few red flags, cyber awareness
P should be simple, while enhancing critical thinking skills. One way
is stressful. If getting phishing emails
to do that is by using the Validate or Eliminate Method.
wasn’t bad enough, now the criminals
have begun smishing, sending scam messages The Validate or Eliminate Method was created after fifteen
by text as opposed to email. Plus, it’s getting plus years of working with identity fraud and cybercrime victims,
harder to determine which ones are valid both individuals and organizations.
and which ones are fake. Especially when Before acting on any received phone call, email, letter, or text
the message appears to be from your bank message, take a moment to validate it.
by Carrie Kerskie regarding suspicious activity. It’s enough to Here are a few ways to validate:
make you want to go off-grid. 1. Call the organization at the phone number on their
Okay maybe that’s a little extreme, but you get the point. website or on your statement and ask if they sent the
The problem is so bad that companies buy anti-phishing message.
training and testing for their employees. But, as research had 2. If you have an online account with the supposed
proven, people still fall for phishing emails, even after the training sender, log in to your account. For example, if the
and testing. If these “educated” employees can’t spot a phishing message was supposedly from your bank regarding
email, how are the rest of us supposed to? a suspicious transaction, log in to your account and
The answer is simple. Cyber Awareness. In the past this meant look at the transactions. Same goes for messages from
showing you examples of phishing and other scam messages Amazon. Log in and look at your order history. If you
or having you look for one or two “tell-tale” signs of a scam. are still not satisfied, call the organization.
Remember the old advice of “look for poor use of grammar” 3. If the message was from a friend or family member,
THIRTY-NINE
or “hover over the send to reveal the true sender’s identity.” call them and confirm they sent it before you click on
Unfortunately, these don’t work anymore. Why? Because you are the link (in a text or email) or open the attachment (in
looking for key things. So, what happens when the cyber criminals an email).
modify the scam? You guessed it, those things you are told to look 4. If you received an unexpected call, tell the caller you STUNNING ACRES
for disappear. can’t talk right now and ask to call them back. Don’t
BUILT AROUND
call back at the number in your caller ID (it could be
spoofed) or the number they give you. Call the number
on the organization’s website or on your statement, etc.
If you are unable to validate the sender or the message, YOU.
eliminate it. Eliminate by either hitting the delete key, moving
it to your junk folder, or throwing it away (for letters). If it was
a phone call, more than likely the criminals will call you again.
Now you have confirmed it is a scam, simply hang up the call.
No need to be nice as the criminals won’t be nice to you. Spectacular views. Gorgeous residences. Wide-open spaces. And a vibrant
So, the next time you are faced with a call, text message, lifestyle. These are some of the reasons why so many accomplished people –
email, or letter and you are unsure if it’s legitimate, take a few like you – make their homes at Naples’ premier address for luxury retirement
minutes to validate or eliminate. It really is just that easy.
living…including those of the endearing, four-legged kind. Other communities
Carrie Kerskie is a professional speaker on cyber awareness don’t have the room to compete with The Arlington. YOU’RE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.
culture and identity fraud. She’s the president of Kerskie Group,
providing white-glove identity fraud restoration and risk
management for high-net-worth families and individuals. Carrie is Season could be the start of a wonderful new life in one of Naples’ most breathtaking settings.
also a member of the Collier Identity Fraud Awareness Community Schedule your visit now at ArlingtonNaples.org, or call (239) 206-5955.
Task Force. She can be reached at 239.435.9111 or CarrieKerskie.
com
7900 Arlington Circle • Naples, FL 34113
62 Life in Naples | March 2022