October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a reminder that scams are growing more sophisticated and personal. Criminals are leveraging new technology—like AI-powered deepfakes and highly targeted phishing emails—to trick people into giving up sensitive information. The best defense is awareness and proactive habits.
Today’s Fraud Risks to Watch Out For
Weak or Reused Passwords
Fraudsters often look for the lowest-hanging fruit—reused or simple passwords. Once a password is cracked, fraudsters will quickly test the same password on your banking, shopping, or email platforms.
How to protect yourself:
- Use strong, unique passwords: Passphrases of 4 to 5 words, ideally 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols make a password more difficult to compromise. Avoid predictable options like “Welcome2025” or “ChiefsKingdom.”
- Never reuse passwords: If one account’s password is compromised, other accounts won’t be affected.
- Use a password manager: Tools like 1Password or KeePass can generate, store, and autofill strong passwords for you.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA): Even if a fraudster steals your password, MFA adds an extra layer—like an authenticator application or a code from your phone—to keep them out.
- Update passwords regularly: Focus on updating passwords that protect sensitive accounts, such as banking, email, and cloud services.
- Stay vigilant: Be cautious with suspicious links, keep your devices and software updated, avoid logging into accounts over public Wi-Fi, and always log out when you’re done.
Deepfakes in Calls and Videos
This is one of the fastest growing threats. Scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic real voices or faces during phone calls, video chats, or voicemails. They may pose as a family member, a financial institution, or even a government agency to pressure you into transferring money or sharing account details.
How to protect yourself:
- Be cautious if a caller asks you to act urgently—especially with money.
- Don’t rely solely on voice or video for identity verification. If you’re unsure, hang up and call back using a verified phone number.
- Create family “safe words” that only you and your loved ones know, to confirm identity in suspicious situations.
Phishing Scams
Phishing remains one of the most common—and dangerous—types of fraud. These are emails, texts, or messages designed to look legitimate, but their goal is to trick you into clicking a malicious link or downloading an attachment. That one click can install malware or give fraudsters access to your accounts, sometimes leading to full account takeovers.
How to protect yourself:
- Check the sender carefully—fraudulent addresses often look like real ones but may have small misspellings.
- Hover over links before clicking to preview where they lead. If it looks suspicious, don’t click.
- Don’t download unexpected attachments, even if they appear to come from someone you know.
- When in doubt, contact the company directly using the phone number on their official website—not the one provided in the email or text.
Social Engineering Scams
Not every scam involves technology—sometimes it’s simply about manipulating people. Social engineering relies on fear, urgency, or trust. A scammer might pose as a government official, claim a loved one is in trouble, or pretend to be from your financial institution to get you to hand over sensitive information.
How to protect yourself:
- Pause before acting—scammers want you to react quickly.
- Verify the request independently. Call the company or person back using an official number, not the one given in the message.
- Be cautious about what you share online—scammers can use personal details from social media to gain your trust.
Account & Credit Monitoring
Even with strong habits, breaches can still happen. Many people don’t realize their personal information has been stolen until it’s used to open accounts or make purchases in their name.
How to protect yourself:
- Set up alerts with your financial institution to be notified of suspicious transactions.
- Check your credit report regularly—at least once a year—to look for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries.
- Consider enrolling in credit monitoring services if you’ve been part of a data breach or want extra peace of mind.
Why It Matters
Fraud no longer looks like the obvious scams of the past. Deepfake technology, convincing phishing emails, and manipulative social engineering make it harder to spot red flags. But by slowing down, double-checking, and practicing good cybersecurity habits, you can protect yourself and your financial well-being.
At CommunityAmerica, we’re here to support you with the tools, knowledge, and resources to keep you safe on your financial journey. If you ever suspect fraudulent activity or receive a suspicious message claiming to be from CommunityAmerica, contact us directly through our official channels. We’re here to help you stay safe.
