Don’t Get Fooled: Spotting and Reporting Scams in 2025

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here, and we’re spotlighting the “Core 4” habits that keep your Apple-powered workspace secure:

• Recognize and report scams
• Use strong passwords and password managers
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Keep software updated

Why Scam Awareness Matters (Now More Than Ever) Scams are everywhere—nearly half of people worldwide face a scam attempt weekly, and in the U.S., the average person sees more than 14 scam attempts a day, including deepfake videos. Today’s scammers use AI to clone voices, impersonate colleagues, and create fake videos that look real. Their goal? Trick you into giving up sensitive info or money.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Urgent requests (“act now!” or face consequences)
• Requests for sensitive info (passwords, SSNs, bank details)
• Suspicious links or attachments (hover before clicking)
• “Too good to be true” offers (free money, prizes, guaranteed returns)

Modern Scam Examples

• Phishing & smishing: fake emails or texts from banks, delivery services, or government agencies
• QR code scams: fraudulent codes in public places
• Social media impersonation: fake accounts posing as friends or coworkers
• Tech support scams: pop-ups or calls claiming your device is infected

What To Do If You Suspect a Scam Spotting a scam is step one—reporting it is just as important. Here’s where to report:

• Your bank or credit card company (for financial scams)
• Your mobile provider (for scam texts and robocalls)
• Your IT/security team (at work)
• Friends, family, colleagues (spread the word)
• Local law enforcement (for identity theft, ransomware, or vulnerable targets)

Why Reporting Matters Every report helps. When you flag a phishing email or fake text, you’re protecting yourself and strengthening the whole community’s defense. Scams thrive in silence—sharing what you see helps others avoid the same trap.

Staying Vigilant AI is making scams more convincing, but the basics haven’t changed:

• Stay cautious with sensitive info
• Double-check unexpected requests—even from trusted contacts
• Report suspicious activity right away

Final Thought Staying safe online doesn’t have to be complicated. Recognize scams early, report them, and help keep your business and community secure. If you want to learn more about protecting your Apple-powered business from scams and other cyber threats, reach out—we’re here to help.

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