BBB Tip: Stay ahead of these potential cyber safety risks

Be on the lookout for the following cyber risks:

• Social media. Smartphones can be a big target for cyber criminals, especially through social media channels. According to research for the 2024 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, 36.2% of scam reporters indicated that the scam involved social media, and 50% said the engagement began when they responded to a social media ad or post. Read BBB’s tips on social media scams.

• Smart home devices. The “Internet of Things” continues to grow. A wide array of devices connect to the internet, from the car, the fridge, the baby monitor, your doorbell, the heating/air conditioner, and even window blinds. Read BBB’s tips for how to keep your smart home devices secure.

• Impostors. Sneaky phishers can gather information about you from online and make convincing fake email accounts to pose as your boss, your bank, a business, or someone you trust. Typically, they target people and organizations that may be involved in high-dollar transactions, so the risk of major monetary loss is high, too. If you receive an unexpected communication that is demanding your personal information or money, think twice before responding. Read BBB’s tips on impostor scams.

• Cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency, or “crypto,” is an online form of payment that can fluctuate in value. Crypto trading platforms can be high-ticket playgrounds for hackers and “pump and dump” schemers who disappear after they take your money. Cypto scams were the number one riskiest scam type in 2024, and they often spread through social media.