Baird’s Cybersecurity and Fraud Protection Program

Fraudsters often pose as fake organizations, particularly during times of increased public awareness and activity, such as during holidays, awareness months, and large-scale emergencies such as hurricane relief efforts. Thoroughly research a charity and request detailed information to ensure it is a legitimate organization.

Scammers may pose as software company IT representatives to gain remote access to your device. They may call you directly or present a pop-up on your device prompting you to call and claim your system has a critical issue that requires immediate attention. Be cautious and only grant access to your device after verifying the request's legitimacy. If you are unsure, it is best to contact the company directly using contact information from a trusted source.

To avoid falling victim to computer technician schemes:

• Do not give out personal, computer, or account information to a third party via email or phone.
• Request identification from the caller, such as their employee ID and department.
• If you have a malfunctioning device, contact the legitimate vendor for assistance using the number provided at the time of purchase.

Fraudsters often exploit the vulnerabilities of the elderly, such as cognitive impairment and lack of familiarity with technology, to collect their personal and financial information for financial gain. We encourage you to educate yourself and your loved ones on monitoring accounts and reporting any suspicious activity.

A potential fraudster can compromise your personal email account, search your email history, or look for conversations between you and your financial advisor. This individual may then imitate your previous communications to appear legitimate and subsequently request a transfer of funds (typically via wire transfer) to an external account under their control.

Be cautious when handling emails. Clicking on unknown links can result in malware being installed on your device, leading to email compromise — exercise caution to avoid falling victim to such attacks.

If you fall victim to an email account takeover, follow these simple steps to protect your information.

• Change your email passwords along with the passwords of any accounts tied to your email addresses.
• Enable multi-factor authentication.
• Check your email settings for changes to forwarding rules.
• Scan your device for malware or take it to a reputable place for professional assistance.

In this type of scam, the perpetrator will impersonate a family member or friend needing urgent financial help to avoid dire consequences. This scam can be carried out through a phone call, email, or social media message, exploiting the relationship between the victim and their loved one to facilitate the quick transfer of funds without raising suspicion.

To avoid falling victim to a familial scheme:

• Ensure any monetary assistance is provided to legitimate family members or friends by confirming their circumstances by contacting them through known and legitimate communication channels.

Identity theft is a type of fraud involving the unauthorized use of an individual's personal information to commit crimes. This can include obtaining personal information from mail or trash, installing malware on a victim's device, and hijacking personal accounts such as email or social media accounts. It is important for individuals to be aware of how their personal information may be vulnerable and to take steps to protect themselves from identity theft.

Baird also partners with InfoArmor for identity theft protection. For more information, contact your financial advisor.

Phishing messages are fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information such as personal details and login credentials by disguising oneself as a trustworthy entity. These communications often include urgent requests for action and may contain attachments with malware. Malware, short for malicious software, can take various forms and infect a victim's device through multiple means, such as clicking on unverified links in emails, social media posts, and websites. One common type of malware is ransomware, which encrypts a victim's files and demands payment to unlock them.

To avoid falling victim to phishing:

• Be cautious of emails with a strong sense of urgency that request your personal information.
• Watch out for misspellings, grammar mistakes, and incorrect terminology in emails.
• Do not click on unknown links, requests, or attachments in emails or texts.
• If you are asked to provide personal information via email, verify the request by contacting the company directly by phone using a number obtained from a trusted source.

Fraudsters often use social media and dating websites as platforms to initiate communication and establish trust with potential victims. These scams are typically characterized by a desire for private communication, such as through email or phone, to strengthen the relationship and manipulate the victim into sending money or other aid forms. The stories and narratives presented by the fraudster are designed to evoke emotional responses and make the victim more receptive to their requests. Remain vigilant and cautious when communicating with individuals online, especially when they ask for personal information or financial assistance.

To avoid falling victim to romance schemes:

• Do not disclose personal information to people you meet online.
• Do not send money to anyone you do not know or have a relationship with, including online acquaintances.

SMiShing is a cyber attack using social engineering techniques to trick individuals into visiting malicious websites or disclosing personal information. This attack typically occurs through text or SMS messages and may be delivered through other messaging apps such as WhatsApp. It is similar to phishing and vishing in that it relies on psychological manipulation to lure victims into divulging sensitive information.

To avoid falling victim to SMiShing:

• Do not respond or click on a link in a message from an unknown number.
• Do not share private information on an unknown or unverified website.
• Do not share private information in response to texts from unknown senders.

Vishing, also known as voice phishing, is a scam where fraudsters use the phone to impersonate legitimate organizations and trick individuals into revealing sensitive personal or financial information. This is done by creating a sense of urgency and panic, leading individuals to make rash decisions and share information they otherwise would not. Remain vigilant and never share personal information over the phone unless you know the caller's identity.

To avoid falling victim to vishing:

• Do not share personal information over the phone unless you have initiated the request.
• If you receive an unexpected call, hang up and contact the organization using official contact details from your account statements, credit card, or the organization's official webpage to verify the caller's identity.