Over the last few weeks we have been exposed … as well as many of you from the field have visited with us about new Cyber Fraud, Communications, and new clever fraud….
We all usually have our Guards up, but there are occasions when items slip through.
The Guard is usually violated in a hurried moment, lucky coincidence, fatigued event, or just momentary lapse!!
Careful – Take a deep breath, and if in doubt, there are always ways to check via another method!
Here are a few of the items we have been exposed, again, just over the last few weeks:
Text spams – Many of these are now hitting our main office number, but they continue to our handheld cells as well and are climbing in frequency!
Sharefile/Docusign – I am hit particularly hard at our office email as we do communicate/authenticate this way, but we also receive these via our personal email as well – Make sure your email request is authentic before clicking on the link!
Impersonations of all types – We have had fake inquiries that asked to download a bad zoom call link, clients with fake Evites to parties, several different impersonations from fake regulators to fake important industry impersonations as well as fake communications asking for key personal information – no bititng!
Long lost relatives – I have personally received multiple contacts, and just last week a letter with a very convincing backdrop of legal and website impersonation, all to grab a contact and important personal information – keep that guard up!
As technology/AI and the speed of improvement continues, there are going to be many fabulous items to come … BUT there will be nefarious characters at work as well….
In time, we will likely look back at the great improvements as they will be taken for granted, AND the use of fraudulent inquires/communications will also look like the buggy whips of the past! But not yet… Guards up !!
Have a Great “Cyber Fraud Reminder” Day!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
AI Content Authenticity: Gemini created the image. All of the following text content has been completed by myself and has not been edited or created by AI. Occasionally we do use AI for images and will note when appropriate.
Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
