How to Verify Legit Messages and Avoid Scams

🚫 Cyber Tip Day 21: Hang Up! Legitimate Orgs Don't Cold Call for Info! One of the oldest and most effective scams is the unexpected request for personal information. Scammers pretend to be your bank, the government, or a trusted company, but their goal is simple: to get your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security number. Remember this rule: Legitimate organizations rarely ask for personal information via unsolicited email, text, or phone call. What to do when they ask: Email/Text: Do not reply and do not click any links. If you're concerned, go directly to the organization's official website (by typing the URL yourself) to log in. Phone Call: Hang up immediately. If you need to verify, call them back using the official number listed on their website or on the back of your card. Be cautious of requests for personal information—it's the surest sign of a scam! 🛡️ #CybersecurityMonth #RecognizeScams #IdentityTheft #Day21Tip

69% of people believe they can tell a fake message from a real one. 🔍   Yet 43% of them still fall victim to cybercriminals (F-Secure).   How well would you do? 🤔    There’s never a bad time to remind ourselves that awareness is the first line of defence. A good antivirus isn’t enough – we need to stop and think before clicking a link, downloading an attachment or sharing personal info.   Especially because cyber threats are now the biggest global risk for businesses. Their impact goes beyond finances – it affects reputation, operations and even individual customers.   Increasingly, AI is being used to create fake voices, videos, and messages. Sometimes a ‘business partner’ calls asking for an urgent transfer – and everything sounds perfectly legitimate. Meanwhile, classic scams like phishing, identity theft and phone fraud are still going strong. 📈   That’s why we need not only advanced security technology, but also a ‘human firewall’. Aware, cautious users who take a second to think before they act are a real gem. And the numbers show you can never really be too cautious.   💡 Stop and think before clicking links, verify the sender, don’t share sensitive information and always double-check urgent requests.    So, what do you think now – would you spot a well-crafted scam? 💭   #cybersecurity #awareness #digital #scam

69% of people believe they can tell a fake message from a real one. 🔍   Yet 43% of them still fall victim to cybercriminals (F-Secure).   How well would you do? 🤔    There’s never a bad time to remind ourselves that awareness is the first line of defence. A good antivirus isn’t enough – we need to stop and think before clicking a link, downloading an attachment or sharing personal info.   Especially because cyber threats are now the biggest global risk for businesses. Their impact goes beyond finances – it affects reputation, operations and even individual customers.   Increasingly, AI is being used to create fake voices, videos, and messages. Sometimes a ‘business partner’ calls asking for an urgent transfer – and everything sounds perfectly legitimate. Meanwhile, classic scams like phishing, identity theft and phone fraud are still going strong. 📈   That’s why we need not only advanced security technology, but also a ‘human firewall’. Aware, cautious users who take a second to think before they act are a real gem. And the numbers show you can never really be too cautious.   💡 Stop and think before clicking links, verify the sender, don’t share sensitive information and always double-check urgent requests.    So, what do you think now – would you spot a well-crafted scam? 💭   #cybersecurity #awareness #digital #scam

Most organizations don’t get hacked because of what they store. They get hacked because of what they assume is secure. Assumptions like: - “The device owner is the user.” - “Stored credentials are safe because we encrypted them.” - “If we passed KYC once, the returning user must be legitimate.” - “Recovery is just a fallback, not a threat surface.” But in 2025, almost every major breach had one thing in common: The attacker exploited an assumption the defender didn’t even question. Identity fraud. Account takeover. Deepfake-driven scams. Stolen templates. Hijacked recovery flows. All born from assumptions that made sense 10 years ago and make zero sense today. The systems changed. The attacks changed. Our assumptions didn’t. This week, challenge one of your core assumptions about identity, authentication, or recovery. You might be surprised by what you uncover. 👉Because in security, assumptions age faster than technology. #cybersecurity #digitalidentity #authentication #riskmanagement #privacybydesign

🚨 Cyber Security Tip 🚨 Scammers are always looking for ways to steal your data so, to help keep you safe, here are some important reminders about how MeDirect communicates with customers. • We will only ever contact you using the channels you have consented to. • We will never contact you using social media platforms like Facebook or WhatsApp. • We will never offer you unsolicited financial advice or ‘offers’. • We will never ask you to share personal details. • We will never ask you to take a decision or any action with urgency. If you receive a message from your bank and have any concerns, just get in touch using a channel you know to be secure and put your mind at ease. By keeping these tips in mind, we can help stop scammers. #MeDirect #SecurityTips #Phishing

Don’t panic! Protect. Prevent. Report. If something goes wrong online, your data, your money, or your identity... you MUST report it. DAY 29 — How to Report a Cyber Incident Cybercriminals rely on silence. Every report helps stop them from targeting others. When Do You Report? Report immediately if you experience: (i) Unauthorized bank withdrawals. (ii) Hacked social media/email accounts. (iii) Phishing messages that deceive others using your name. (iv) Fraudulent online purchases in your name. (v) Blackmail, threats, or harassment online. (vi) Clicked a suspicious link or downloaded malware. If you feel unsafe or unsure, still report! It’s better to check than to regret. How to Report a Cyber Incident Step 1 — Collect Evidence Screenshots, email address, phone number, URL, save everything. Step 2 — Change Your Passwords + Enable MFA Secure all accounts immediately. Step 3 — Report to the Right Place Examples: • Your Bank → If money is involved • Company IT Team → Workplace issues • Social media platform → Impersonation/scam • Police or NCC → Major fraud, threats, blackmail Step 4 — Warn Others Tell friends, family, or coworkers, stop the scam from spreading. If you are in doubt, ask for help from a Cybersecurity-aware person. Cybersecurity is a team sport, nobody battles alone. The smartest people online are not those who never get attacked… They are the ones who know what to do when it happens Take Action. Speak Up. Secure Your World. #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth #SecureOurWorld #ReportCyberCrime #DigitalSafety #StopScammers #MAKATOBITSECURITIES #MOBACyberSafetyNexus

Rule #3: Enable 2-Step Verification The range and sophistication of security threats continue to grow. Cyber criminals exploit technology to its fullest and overwhelm our meager defenses. Now we must embrace technology to make ourselves safer whenever possible. Adding an extra code when logging in makes a hacker’s job exponentially harder. 👉 Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on email, banking, and investment accounts today. You can typically choose between an authentication app, text message, or phone verification. This two-step method also acts as an early-warning system. If someone has your password and attempts to log in, you will receive a code and know something is wrong. But you’ll still be protected. #TwoFactorAuth #AccountSecurity #FinancialPreparedness

📱 SIM Swapping: The Silent Theft You Don’t See Coming Ever suddenly lose network on your phone? It might not be a “network issue.” It could be SIM swapping — a rising cyber fraud technique. 🚨 What is SIM Swapping? Attackers trick your mobile carrier into transferring your phone number to a SIM card they control. Once they own your number, they can: 🔓 Intercept calls & SMS 🔑 Steal OTPs sent by banks or apps 💰 Access your email, social media — even financial accounts All without touching your phone. Why it’s dangerous: Your phone number is often the gateway to your digital identity. ✅ Tip to protect yourself: Enable app-based authentication (not SMS OTP) Add a carrier PIN or security password Be alert if your phone suddenly loses signal 🔐 Your mobile number is more powerful than you think — protect it. #CyberSecurity #SIMSwapping #FraudAwareness #DigitalSafety #DataProtection #InfoSec

iTCA Cyber 31 Day 26 of 31 – Data Breaches Definition / What It Is: A data breach occurs when sensitive, confidential, or protected information is accessed, stolen, or exposed by unauthorized individuals, often due to hacking, malware, or human error. How It Works: Hackers exploit system vulnerabilities, weak passwords, phishing scams, or insecure networks to gain access to databases containing personal, financial, or corporate information. Real Example: In 2017, the Equifax data breach exposed the personal data of 147 million people, including Social Security numbers, birth dates, and addresses. Impact: • Identity theft and financial fraud • Massive financial losses for organizations • Legal penalties and compliance issues • Loss of customer trust and brand reputation Stay Safe Tips: • Use strong encryption for stored and transmitted data. • Regularly update software and patch vulnerabilities. • Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA). • Limit access to sensitive data to authorized users only. 💬 “Protect your data — share this to raise awareness!” #iTCACyber31 #CyberSecurityAwarenessMonth #StaySafeOnline #iTCA #CyberSecurityAwareness #CyberThreats

Beware of SIM Swap Fraud: A Growing Cyber Threat Ever received a sudden “No Signal” message on your phone? It might not be a network issue — it could be SIM Swap Fraud. 📱 What is SIM Swap Fraud? SIM Swap Fraud happens when cybercriminals trick your mobile service provider into transferring your phone number to a new SIM card controlled by them. Once they gain access, they can: Intercept OTPs and verification codes Access bank accounts and social media profiles Reset passwords and lock you out of your own accounts ⚠️ How it Works: 1️⃣ Hacker gathers personal details (via phishing or data leaks) 2️⃣ They impersonate you to your telecom provider 3️⃣ Your number is transferred to their SIM 4️⃣ They gain control of your digital identity 🛡️ How to Protect Yourself: ✅ Never share OTPs or personal details over calls or messages ✅ Set up strong PINs and 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) ✅ Regularly monitor your bank and email activity ✅ Immediately contact your mobile operator if your phone suddenly loses signal 💡 Stay alert. Stay secure. Your mobile number is the key to your digital life — protect it before criminals do. #CyberSecurity #SIMSwap #OnlineSafety #DataProtection #UniSenseAdvisory #CyberAwareness