Protecting Your Financial Life in a Digital World

Common Cyber Threats

Cybercriminals continue to find new ways to trick people into sharing sensitive information. Some of the most common scams include:

Phishing emails and text messages that appear to come from your bank, investment firm, or another trusted company asking you to click a link or verify information.

Impersonation scams where someone pretends to be a financial institution, government agency, or even a family member requesting money or personal information.

Password theft through data breaches or weak passwords that are reused across multiple websites.

Public Wi-Fi risks that can expose personal information when accessing financial accounts over unsecured networks.

Simple Steps to Better Protect Yourself

While no security measure can eliminate every risk, these best practices can significantly improve your online security:

Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Avoid using the same password across multiple websites. Consider using a password manager to create and securely store complex passwords.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Whenever available, turn on multi-factor authentication for your financial accounts, email, and other important online services. This adds an additional layer of security beyond your password.

Be Skeptical of Unexpected Requests

If you receive an unexpected email, text, or phone call asking you to move money, share personal information, or click a link, pause before taking action. If you're unsure whether a communication is legitimate, contact the company directly using a trusted phone number or website—not the contact information provided in the message.

Keep Your Devices Updated

Software updates often include important security patches. Regularly updating your phone, computer, and apps helps protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

Monitor Your Accounts

Review your financial accounts and credit card statements regularly for unfamiliar activity. Reporting suspicious transactions promptly can help limit potential damage.

How We Help Protect Your Accounts

Protecting client information is a responsibility we take seriously. Our firm uses security measures designed to help safeguard client data and account information. We also encourage clients to partner with us by following cybersecurity best practices and notifying us promptly if they suspect fraudulent activity or receive suspicious communications that appear to involve our firm.

If you ever receive a request that seems unusual or are unsure whether a communication is truly from us, please contact our office directly before taking action.

Cybersecurity Is a Shared Responsibility

Cyber threats continue to evolve, but staying informed and practicing good online habits can help reduce your risk. By working together and remaining vigilant, we can help make it more difficult for criminals to access your personal and financial information.

If you have questions about protecting your accounts or would like to verify a communication you've received, please don't hesitate to contact our office. We'd rather answer a quick question than have you become the victim of a scam.

JT Stratford, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, legal, tax, or cybersecurity advice. While we employ measures designed to help protect client information, no security program can guarantee protection against all cyber threats or fraudulent activity. If you have concerns about your accounts or receive suspicious communications, please contact our office directly using a trusted phone number.