Stay Safe: How to Protect Yourself from Online and Phone Scams

At Libertana, your safety and well-being—both offline and online—are our top priorities. As scams become more sophisticated, it’s important to stay informed and vigilant. Here are some essential tips to help you recognize and avoid common online and phone scams.

Top Signs of a Scam

• Urgent or threatening language: Scammers often pressure you to act quickly or face consequences.
• Requests for personal or financial information: Legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive details via phone, email, or text.
• Too-good-to-be-true offers: Be cautious of prizes, job offers, or investment opportunities that seem unrealistic.
• Unfamiliar numbers or email addresses: If you don’t recognize the sender, don’t click links or download attachments.

How to Protect Yourself

• Don’t share personal information unless you’re sure who you’re speaking with.
• Hang up or delete suspicious messages—you’re not being rude, you’re being safe.
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
• Keep your devices updated with the latest security patches and antivirus software.
• Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Common Scams to Watch For

• Medicare or Social Security impersonators
• Fake tech support calls
• Phishing emails pretending to be from banks or delivery services
• Romance or “grandparent” scams targeting seniors

When in Doubt, Reach Out

If you’re ever unsure about a message or call, don’t respond—reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or contact Libertana for guidance. Staying connected and informed is one of the best ways to stay protected.