Shirley Godoi, Administrative Assistant at CIS DF, led the session and explained how people are receiving text messages and emails requesting money and personal information. She emphasized that no one should share personal or financial information by phone unless they are certain of who is contacting them.
One of the major topics that was discussed was the protection of banking and financial information. Shirley stressed that you should never open any of your banking/financial information while in public places, especially when using public Wi Fi or charging a phone at a public charging station. She explained that these places can expose sensitive information to cybercriminals. It is essential to wait until you are in a secure, private location before opening any financial apps or documents.
Another segment focused on downloading apps safely. Shirley walked participants through checking to make sure an app is safe to download. She also told them to be cautious about any fees that may be added when downloading the app.
Shirley stressed the importance of not answering any calls or opening email if you do not know who is calling or sending the email. She conducted a demonstration on how to block unwanted phone numbers and report spam.
Everyone left feeling more confident when using their phones. They said they learned a great deal and will be extremely cautious when opening apps or responding to texts in the future.