A whopping $12.5 billion in losses reported last year from cyber thieves
BY CAITLIN EULGEN
COMMUNITY STATE BANK
A new year often comes with new challenges.
At Community State Bank, we are committed to protecting our customers from criminals who continue to create new tactics in the digital stratosphere.
Cybercrimes are not only alive and well but are expected to grow at an exponential rate in 2025. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Treasury reported cybercrime losses exceeding $12.5 billion.
Our goal is to provide the proper knowledge and tools to keep your personal information safe and secure.
Here are five tips to prevent cybercrimes in 2025:
- Beware of Urgent Account Notifications. If you receive an unexpected email, text, or phone call from a service you may or may not utilize and they provide a sense of urgency to respond, call the organization directly rather than the communication method they provide in their message. It could be a cybercriminal posing as a company or person to gain access to your personal information.
- Avoid Clicking Links or Responding to Unsolicited Requests. If you receive an unexpected email, text, or phone call providing a link or direct number to contact them, do not click on any attachments or call the number they provided back. Instead, search for a reputable phone number for the institution or person who claimed to have contacted you.
- Don’t Trust Caller ID. Cybercriminals know of ways to mask phone calls to appear to be coming from reputable sources. If you get an unexpected call requesting personal information such as birthdates, social security numbers, banking information, hang up immediately.
- Practice Safe Online Behavior. What you put on the internet is available to the public. Be sure to make your social media accounts private to add an extra layer of security to your information. Use caution when sharing personal details about your life that could allude to answers for common security questions (i.e. what is your pet’s name, favorite vacation spot, mother’s maiden name, etc).
- Monitor Financial Transactions. It is critical to keep an eye on your bank account activity. If you see unusual activity or unauthorized transactions occurring on your statements or online banking, contact a bank representative immediately.
These are just a few of the many ways you can lessen your susceptibility of falling victim to cybercriminal tactics.
Community State Bank is always willing to help and educate you in any way we can. Have a safe and happy New Year, and never hesitate to contact us if you have questions!