b'PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411Kloud9 IT HQ 9999 Granger Rd Cleveland, OH 44125Inside This IssueHow To Put Generative AI To Work For Your Business | 1Do You Safeguard Your Companys Get your FREE Cyber Security TipData? The Answer Is Probably No. Get of the Week | 2Your Free Dark Web Scan Today | 2Talent, Innovation And Relationships: The Formula For Thriving Businesses Inspired By Marcus Lemonis | 34 Popular Scams To Watch Out ForKeeping up with cybercriminals is like trying2. Grandparent Scamsbut recently theyve started taking pictures to nail jelly to the wall. Just as you thinkGrandparent scams have been around for aof checks instead. Then they use off-the-youre up to speed, a new scam hits thewhile, but the FCC reports more advancedshelf digital tools to make counterfeit checks, headlines. Using new tech innovations likeversions involving impersonators or AIdeposit the digital one using a mobile AI, scammers are getting much better atclones using a loved ones voice (usuallybanking app or sell the checks online.impersonating banks, health care providersa grandchild) and sometimes a spoofed andus. This year has been no exception,caller ID. The caller claims to be a lovedHow to avoid it: Use your credit card as with a slew of fresh scams hitting cell phonesone whos in jail or has been in an accident.much as possible. When a paper check is and bank accounts everywhere. Here are fourGrandparents are often given a phony caseunavoidable, skip your mailbox and take it scams to watch out for this year. number and are instructed to call an attorney.directly to the post office.1. Phony Cell Provider E-mailsIf they do, a series of other criminals conspire4. Home Improvement Scams to trick them out of thousands of dollars. In 2023, a study by JW Surety Bonds reported Increasingly, cybercriminals are taking advantage of cell service outages to scamHow to avoid it: If you receive an urgent callthat one in 10 Americans had been a victim customers. Its happening all over the USlike that, call your loved one directly to verifyof a contractor scam, losing an average of with AT&T customers, who, after an outage,that they are safe. If they dont answer, call$2,500. These scammers often demand up-receive bogus e-mails offering refundsother family members to see if they can verifyfront payments or deposits and then fail to orcredits. the situation. Remember, the criminals will trycomplete the work, deliver substandard results to convince you to keep it a secretdont. or disappear altogether, leaving homeowners How to avoid it: Never click on links orout of pocket and with unfinished projects.payment instructions in an e-mail. Always3. Check Cooking verify that any communication from a providerBanks reported nearly 700,000 instances ofHow to avoid it: Ensure the contractor is is coming from an official domain, like @att. check fraud in 2022, according to reportinglicensed and insured, get everything in com, or call AT&T directly using their officialby Associated Press. Weve talked aboutwriting, dont skim the contract and never number or website. criminals stealing checks from mailboxes,pay the full fee up front.Technology That Works!216-393-24844'