A few years ago, we shared some information about protecting yourself from fraud and identity theft. Unfortunately, scams have continued to become more sophisticated—and today, technology such as artificial intelligence can make fraudulent emails, phone calls, websites, and even familiar voices surprisingly convincing.
The good news is that protecting yourself does not have to be complicated. A few simple habits can make a meaningful difference, particularly when you have multiple financial accounts.
A few steps worth taking today:
1. Turn on multi-factor authentication.
A password alone is no longer enough. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra step when signing in to an account, making it much more difficult for someone to access your account even if they have your password.
If an account gives you the option to use an authenticator app, we recommend considering it. If that feels too complicated, receiving a security code by text message is still an important extra layer of protection.
The most important thing is simply to turn on multi-factor authentication whenever it is available, especially for your email, financial, and banking accounts.
2. Use a different password for each important account.
It can be tempting to use the same password for multiple accounts, but doing so can put several accounts at risk if one password is stolen.
A password manager (e.g., Keeper Security) can help you create and store different passwords without having to remember them all. If you prefer not to use a password manager, simply make sure your most important accounts—especially your email and financial accounts—have unique passwords.
3. Turn on account alerts.
This is one of the simplest ways to keep an eye on your accounts.
Where available, consider enabling notifications for:
- New account logins
- Password or security changes
- Changes to your contact information
- Changes to linked bank accounts
- Transfers into or out of an account
- Securities transactions
You don't need to monitor your accounts constantly. Alerts can help notify you when something important happens so you can act quickly if something doesn't look right.
4. Look closely at the sender before opening an email.
Before clicking a link or opening an attachment, take a moment to look at the actual email address of the sender—not just the name that appears in your inbox.
Scammers can make an email appear to come from a person or company you recognize, while the actual email address may contain an unfamiliar domain, extra characters, misspellings, or other subtle differences.
For example, if an email appears to come from your bank, financial advisor, or a company you know, make sure the email address actually matches the organization.
If something looks slightly "off," don't click the link or open the attachment.
5. Be cautious with unexpected invitations and notifications.
Scammers sometimes use legitimate services and familiar brands to make fraudulent messages appear trustworthy.
For example, you may receive an unexpected email that appears to be from Amazon saying there is a problem with an order, your account, or a payment. If you weren't expecting anything, take a moment to look carefully at the message before clicking anything.
A suspicious message may be very general, contain information that doesn't match anything you recently purchased, or create a sense of urgency by telling you that you need to act immediately. A familiar company name or logo does not necessarily mean the message is legitimate.
When in doubt, don't click the link in the email. Instead, open the Amazon app or type the company's website directly into your browser and check your account there. This allows you to verify whether there is actually an issue without using a link provided in the email.
6. Create a "verify first" rule for money.
If you receive a request to wire money, transfer funds, change banking instructions, or provide sensitive financial information, stop and independently verify the request.
Do not rely solely on the phone number, email address, or link provided in the message. Instead, contact the person or institution using a phone number you already have on file or one you know to be legitimate.
If someone asks you to move money urgently, take a moment to slow down and verify the request first.
7. Be cautious even when a message looks familiar.
Scammers can impersonate banks, financial institutions, government agencies, businesses, family members—and even financial professionals. AI has made these impersonation attempts increasingly convincing.
If you receive an unexpected message from someone you know asking for money or sensitive information, verify it through a separate method of communication.
For example, if you receive a text message from a family member asking for money, call them directly using the phone number already saved in your contacts. Don't call a number provided in the suspicious message.
When in doubt, slow down. Urgency is one of a scammer's most powerful tools.
8. Consider freezing your credit.
A credit freeze can help prevent someone from opening new credit accounts in your name. A freeze is free, does not affect your credit score, and remains in place until you choose to lift it.
You will need to place a freeze with each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
The Federal Trade Commission provides information and direct links for placing a freeze with each bureau here:
FTC: Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
9. Consider adding a trusted contact to your investment accounts.
A trusted contact is someone your financial institution can reach if there are concerns about possible financial exploitation or unusual circumstances.
This does not give that person authority over your accounts or your assets. Instead, it provides another layer of protection if something seems out of the ordinary.
Most importantly: slow down
The most effective protection is often the simplest one: don't let someone else's urgency become your emergency.
If an email, phone call, or text creates a sense of panic, asks you to keep something secret, requests a large or unusual payment, or asks you to provide sensitive information, take a step back and verify it independently.
Fraud prevention is not about being suspicious of everything. It's about creating a few good habits that make it harder for someone to take advantage of you.
We encourage you to take a few minutes to review the security settings on your financial accounts, email, and other important online accounts. A small investment of time today can provide significant protection down the road!
We're Here to Help
We know that even the most convincing financial communications can sometimes leave you wondering, “Is this legitimate?”
If you receive an unexpected, confusing, or concerning email or other communication related to one of your financial accounts or a financial institution you work with, please feel free to contact our office before taking action. If appropriate, you can forward the communication to us, and we can help you determine the best next step.
We can also be a helpful point of contact when you have questions about your financial accounts. If you have accounts held elsewhere that you would like us to help coordinate or monitor as part of your overall financial picture, we are happy to discuss whether bringing those accounts under our management makes sense for you.
Our goal is simple: when something doesn't look right, you don't have to figure it out alone.