At The Records Company, we’re always going the extra mile to make sure your data is fully secure when you’re using our services. Our HIPAA-certified experts and cutting-edge technology mean you can feel confident when you access our online portal, from any device, anywhere in the world.
We also think about your data security when you’re not using our services, which is why it’s so important to be vigilant at this time of year. Bad actors on the internet work year-round, but authorities usually see an uptick of scams around the holiday season as scammers take special advantage in November and December as we engage in more online shopping and get generally distracted by the preparations for Christmas and other celebrations. While a personal data breach may cost you money, you could lose much more. Sensitive information stored on your computer or in your cloud may also be vulnerable.
Most of us believe we’re too savvy to be taken in by online scams, and we’re probably right. However, hackers and scammers have become more sophisticated in their methods and presentation, so the chance of getting taken in is never zero. The first step in keeping your data safe is remembering that it could happen to you.
Build a Secure Foundation
Now is a good time to take a look at your passwords and accounts to make sure they haven’t been involved in any data breaches during the year. Some browsers, such as Google Chrome, help track this information and automatically alert you if your saved passwords have been potentially compromised. Even if they haven’t, this is a good time to update for good password hygiene.
If You Don’t Know for Sure, Don’t Click
Most of us know not to download attachments or click links that come to us from unknown sources, and scammers know we know that. As a result, you may get email communications from services you use that look remarkably legitimate. Take a close look at the return email address or links to be sure they’re coming from the correct domains, and if anything looks even slightly off, contact the company directly. There’s no downside. If the issue is real, you’ll resolve it quickly, and if it’s not real, you’re a minor hero for sounding the alert.
It’s also a good idea to be wary of clicking on online ads. Some of these links go to well-developed websites that look completely legitimate, sometimes duplicating the sites of well-known retailers. If you see a good deal and it’s real, it will still be there when you visit the real site through the link you enter yourself.
Track Your Shipments
One reason online security becomes a more pressing issue during the holidays is the high volume of gifts in transit. Fake shipping updates are a staple of holiday-season scams, so if you get a delivery update or notice via email or text, go to the shipper’s website directly to plug in your tracking information instead of using a link or call the phone number on the website instead of using the number given in an email. Using these few extra seconds can save you from months of headaches. If you’re traveling, follow this same protocol for any travel updates you receive that may (or may not) be from your airline.
Remember legitimate businesses will never fault you for taking a little extra time to be sure your information and bank accounts are safe, so when in doubt, check it out. You’ll enjoy the holidays much more when you rest assured that your data is in safe hands, and if you ever have questions about our own security measures at The Records Company, we always love to hear from our clients.