Each year, millions of adults fall victim to some sort of financial abuse, be it fraud, identity theft or money-grabbing schemes. It’s important to familiarize yourself with today’s most common fraud techniques, terminology and, of course, tips you can use to stop attacks in their tracks.
Terminology
Phishing: With phishing, scammers use texts and emails to trick individuals into sharing personal information. They try to obtain passwords, Social Security numbers, account numbers and more.
Malware: Short for malicious software, malware includes viruses and spyware that threatens your personal information. Remember, the best way to prevent malware is to think before you click a link, especially in an email that seems odd or suspicious.
Scams: If it’s an offer or claim that you won a prize, and it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do not give sensitive information to anyone unless you can verify that they are who they claim to be and that they have a legitimate need for your information.
Forgery: Forgery is the act of falsely making, altering or imitating with intent to defraud. Two common types of forgery are signature forgery and document forgery.
Tips
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Stop sharing your numbers. Account numbers, credit card numbers, PINs and Social Security numbers. These numbers are for your eyes only. Don’t forget that any legitimate business or government agency will never request confidential information, including Ameris Bank.
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Never pay upfront for a promised prize. If you are told that you must pay fees or taxes upfront for a prize, it’s a scam.
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It IS too good to be true. Ask yourself why someone is trying so hard to give you a “great deal.” If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
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Don’t click the link. Most phishing scams use links to collect your personal information. Never click on a link unless you are 100% certain of the source and avoid links that don’t start with “https” in the URL. If there’s no “s,” it could be fake.
Looking for more tips? Be sure to visit our online Cybersecurity Center for the latest security news.
Reviewed April 2025
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
