Recognizing Red Flags
· Urgency & Pressure Tactics: Scammers often create fake emergencies—‘Act now or lose access!’—to force quick decisions.
· Unexpected Requests: Be wary of emails or calls from unfamiliar contacts, even if they appear to be from trusted sources.
· Polished Appearance Is No Guarantee: Cybercriminals now use Artificial Intelligence (AI)to craft emails, spoof phone numbers, mimic voices, and replicate brand logos, making fake communications incredibly convincing.
Essential Security Habits
· Strong Passwords & Managers: Use long, unique passwords (12+ characters with mixed symbols) or password managers. Avoid reusing passwords across accounts.
· Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds a vital extra layer of defense across email, banking, and investment platforms.
· Keep Software Updated: Regularly patch devices and applications to close off vulnerabilities that hackers often exploit.
Tailored for Financial Households
· Validate Unusual Financial Requests: Pause and independently confirm any requests involving transfers or account changes—don’t rely on caller ID or email headers.
· Monitor Account Activity: Periodically check account statements and login histories to detect suspicious transactions.
· Secure Personal Devices: Use antivirus software and secure Wi-Fi networks, especially when managing finances from home.
· Establish a Family "Safe Word": Create a unique phrase or secret question known only to your inner circle. If you receive an urgent call for money, ask for the safe word to verify identity.
· Adopt an "Investment-Only" Device: Consider using a dedicated tablet or laptop only for financial transactions, separate from everyday browsing or social media.
· Digital Estate Planning: Ensure your digital assets—including crypto wallets and online logins—are documented in your estate plan so heirs can access them securely if needed.
Strategic Protection from Your Financial Advisor
· Risk-Based Cyber Plan: We follow frameworks like NIST to protect your financial data—identifying threats, fortifying defenses, detecting breaches, responding, and recovering.
· Regulatory Compliance: Our firm adheres to SEC and FINRA cybersecurity guidelines to help reduce risk and build your confidence.
· Regular Education & Support: We help empower our clients with up-to-date guidance and alerts, plus direct access to verify communications.
· Use Our Secure Client Portal: Always use our encrypted portal to upload sensitive documents rather than sending them via standard email.
Your Checklist for Stronger Security
· Pause before clicking links or downloading attachments.
· Verify all requests through official channels.
· Use strong, unique passwords—consider a password manager.
· Enable MFA on financial and email accounts.
· Update software regularly.
· Monitor accounts monthly and report suspicious activity.
· Ask us anytime if you're unsure—your security is our priority.
· Have a trusted contact person for your accounts as well as a Power of Attorney on file with each financial institution you have accounts with.
· My staff or I will contact you to verbally confirm your texts and emails on trades and money movement in or out of your accounts.
· Never authorize a financial transaction from anyone based on an incoming call, text, or video message. Hang up and call the person or institution back using a trusted number you have on file or found in your recent statement, not one provided in the message
Protecting your financial future starts with vigilance and knowledgeable habits. As cyber threats evolve to use sophisticated artificial intelligence, the "human element" of your security has never been more critical. Together, we’ll help ensure your data—and your peace of mind—remain more secure.
Contact us today for help setting up these safeguards.
Sources
· SEC Cybersecurity Guidelines
· FINRA Cybersecurity Resources
· NIST Cybersecurity Framework
· Industry best practices on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), password security, and phishing prevention
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