Think Positive Cyber

Scams often work because they make people feel rushed, scared, excited, or confused. A message may say your account will be closed, a package cannot be delivered, a prize is waiting, or someone needs money right away. Before clicking a link, calling a number, or sending payment, slow down and check the source. Go directly to the official website or app instead of using the link in the message. If someone claims to be from a bank, government office, job site, or company, contact that organization using a trusted number you find yourself.

A simple safety rule is to pause, verify, and protect your information. Do not share passwords, verification codes, Social Security numbers, bank details, or gift card numbers with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. Be careful with payment requests through gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, or apps, because those can be hard to reverse. Scammers are getting better, but good habits still help: use strong passwords, turn on multi-factor authentication, update your devices, and ask someone you trust before responding to anything that feels urgent or unusual.