At First Foundation, we take our responsibility of keeping you safe and secure very seriously. As we enter the holiday season, it's important to be vigilant against potential cybersecurity scams that often occur during this time of year. By staying informed and taking necessary precautions, we can help prevent cybercriminals from disrupting our financial well-being.

Below are 12 common cybersecurity scams that occur around the holiday season:

1. Phishing Scams: Emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate sources (like banks or retailers) asking for personal information.

2. Fake Charities: Fraudulent organizations posing as charities to collect donations for the holiday season.

3. Gift Card Scams: Criminals tampering with gift cards in stores or selling counterfeit cards online.

4. Package Delivery Scams: Fake delivery notifications or phishing attempts disguised as shipping companies requesting personal information.

5. Identity Theft: Theft of personal information to make unauthorized purchases or open accounts.

6. Social Media Scams: Fake ads, offers, or giveaways on social media platforms designed to steal personal information.

7. Travel Scams: Bogus travel deals, fake vacation rentals, or phishing emails offering fake booking confirmations.

8. Fake Retail Apps or Websites: Fraudulent mobile apps or websites designed to mimic legitimate retailers to steal payment information.

9. Fraudulent Tech Support Calls: Fraudsters call and pretend to be tech support for technology that you use and trick you to install malware or send payment

10. Credit Card Skimming: Devices placed on ATMs or point-of-sale terminals to capture credit card information.

11. Account Takeovers: Criminals gain access to a person's account through various means and make unauthorized transactions.

12. Romance Scams: Predators establish online romantic relationships to gain trust and then request money or personal information.

Bankers and consumers should remain cautious, verify sources before sharing any personal or financial information, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities or their financial institutions. Staying informed about these common frauds can help in identifying and preventing potential scams during the holiday season.

At First Foundation, we want to equip you with the knowledge to recognize and avoid these common scams. We recommend taking the following steps to protect yourself during the holidays:

• Keep your computer security software up to date
• Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from suspicious sites or emails
• Be wary of unsolicited emails or messages, whether it be for a job or charity
• Use strong and complex passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible
• Verify the authenticity of a website before entering any sensitive information or making online purchases
• Monitor your bank and credit card accounts regularly for suspicious activity
• Stay informed of the latest cybersecurity threats and trends

We hope this information serves as a helpful reminder to remain vigilant during this joyful yet busy holiday season. As always, First Foundation remains committed to providing comprehensive financial solutions for our clients and communities, which includes safeguarding your critical financial data. If you have any concerns or if you suspect fraudulent activity, please do not hesitate to contact your First Foundation team representatives immediately.