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Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity in 2024

1.23.25
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CFCU

A Cybersecurity Review of 2024

Consider this your “Cybersecurity Wrapped”, courtesy of Community First Credit Union! We wanted to review some of the most common scam tactics seen over the past year to refresh your memory going in 2025 and keep you prepared to protect your accounts and personal information.
While we’ll present an overview of scam types here, make sure to check out our in-depth articles on some of the same subjects (linked in this article!).


Top Trending Scams in 2024


Artificial Intelligence Scams/Impersonation Scams

Detailed in our September article, the growing role AI plays in our daily lives means that it remains increasingly available for online criminals to use.
Some of the most common scam tactics using AI include deepfake images and audio, which allow fraudsters to assume the identity of someone you know or trust. This could be a family member or loved one, friend, colleague, or even bank representative. The ability to mimic colloquial language paired, combined with a believable face and/or voice makes an effective method for scammers! The ease of AI technology also allows scammers to be extremely prolific with these false identities.
How to prevent this? Updating account security, using code phrases with close family and friends to verify their identity, and making sure not to act under pressure are key ways to protect yourself from AI scams.


Pig-butchering/Romance Scams

Referencing the way a farmer fattens up a prize pig before slaughter, pig-butchering scams are a type of romance scam where the fraudster takes their time cultivating a trusting relationship with their victim before suddenly disappearing once they get money from their target.
Many of these types of scams start off on social media and dating sites, though some can occur through text (ever gotten those wrong number texts?). After talking back and forth for some time, the scammer will then ask if you’d like to invest in cryptocurrency, and may give you some early ‘returns’ on your investment to lull you into investing even more. By the time you’ve figured out the con, the scammer will go silent (or sometimes even taunt you!) before disappearing completely.
Even in this day and age, when meeting people online is a common way to make friends as well as professional and romantic connections, it is important to remain vigilant and trust your gut when something seems suspicious. Claims of investment opportunities or pleas for money by strangers are a big red flag.  


Phishing/Smishing Scams

Good ol’ fashioned phishing scams aren’t going away anytime soon! We’ve reviewed in previous articles how to spot these types of messages, but with the emergence of AI it’s important to be extra cautious.


There are some common signs that you’ve received a phishing message:

  • The tone of the message is urgent or threatening
  • There are requests to call an unknown number, or click a link
  • The sender is random-you’ve never received a message from them before
  • The message is unsolicited


Remember to take a moment to pause and assess whether the message is legitimate. Did you request contact from a company? Is there another number you can call to verify the legitimacy of the message? It’s easy to click links hastily when you’re told you’ve won an amazing prize or have problems with your account but remember to take that moment to stop and think before you click or send any personal information.


Shopping Scams

Shopping scams are year-round, but much more prevalent during holiday seasons. These types of scams can be complex, involving fake ads, websites, sellers, and products.


Often times these start on social media: you’ll find a seller that has an item for a fantastic price, or an ad for a great deal on something you’ve been wanting. It’s important to do your research on the seller before engaging.


Look at the individual seller’s profile. Do they not have many pictures of followers? What about their reviews?


If you’re taken to an ecommerce website, there are a few things to look for. Is the site secure, meaning it has an ‘https’ at the front of the address. Are words misspelled or are they missing a clear return policy?


Remember that if something is too good to be true, it probably is. Never pay with gift cards, mailing cash or check, or wiring money. Using a credit card is the safest way to pay, since they offer more protection for consumers.


Cybersecurity Protection in 2025

It feels like there is an endless parade of new scam trends to be on the lookout for. While criminals can come up with new ways to defraud victims, almost all these tactics share similarities that can help you protect your information.


Impersonation

Impersonation scams take many forms. Some we mentioned above, and others can be just as common: government representative impostors, fake tech support calls, charity scams, bank representative scams, and even celebrity scams.
Always verify who you are speaking with. If you are unsure, or are being asked to send money or personal information, reach out to the person or company using a known, verified communication method.


Payment

Even if a victim is convinced to send money by a fraudster, the method of transaction can also reveal whether or not it is a scam. Gift cards, checks, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency ‘investments’ are huge red flags that you are involved in a scam. These types of payment methods are convenient for fraudsters as they don’t offer much, or any, protection for consumers. Make sure you are only paying people that you know, or pay with a credit card.


Pressure Tactics

Scammers usually apply pressure to their victims in two ways: threatening the safety of their accounts or personal information, or dangling an amazing ‘prize’ to urge their victims into acting quickly.

While scams can wave big red flags in your face, others are a little trickier to notice. Remember that it is always better to be safe and do your due diligence! A simple Google search to look for more information, or a phone call to a verified number can save you a headache down the road. And as always, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is!

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