Navigating the Complexities and Dynamics of the Information Ecosystem

 

 

By Lilian H. Hill

 

The information ecosystem refers to the complex network of processes, technologies, individuals, and institutions involved in the creation, distribution, consumption, and regulation of information. It encompasses various elements that interact and influence each other, shaping how information is produced, shared, and used in society. The use of the term ecosystem as a metaphor suggests key properties of environments in which information technology is used. An information ecosystem is a complex system of parts and relationships. It exhibits diversity and experiences continual evolution. Various parts of an ecology coevolve, changing together according to the relationships in the system (Nardi & O’Day, 1999).

 

While the term Information Ecosystem has been in use in academic circles for more than 20 years, it has penetrated today’s media. The dynamic and often unpredictable information ecosystem we inhabit necessitates renewed focus on the fundamental concepts of that ecosystem (Kuehn, 2022). The relationship between information literacy and the information ecosystem is symbiotic and integral. Information literacy refers to the set of skills and knowledge that allows individuals to effectively find, evaluate, use, and communicate information. It encompasses critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in relation to information handling. The term information ecosystem describes the complex environment in which information is produced, distributed, consumed, and preserved. This includes libraries, databases, media, social networks, and other channels and platforms where information flows.

 

Burgeoning and rapidly evolving information technologies influence information production and access. While the emphasis should be on the human activities served by information technologies, the truth is that technology is radically changing ways that information is produced, accessed, understood, and applied.

 

Components of the Information Ecosystem

Multiple constituents work together to produce, distribute, interpret, consume, and regulate information.

 

Information Producers

·      Journalists and Media Organizations: Traditional news outlets, digital news platforms, and independent journalists who gather, verify, and disseminate news.

·      Academic and Research Institutions: Universities, research centers, and scholars who produce scholarly articles, studies, and data.

·      Government Agencies: Institutions that generate reports, statistics, and public records.

·      Businesses and Corporations: Companies that create content for marketing, public relations, and corporate communications.

·      Individuals: Citizens who produce content through blogs, social media, and other personal platforms.

 

Information Distributors

·      Social Media Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and others that facilitate the rapid spread of information.

·      Search Engines: Google, Bing, and others that organize and provide access to information.

·      Traditional Media: Newspapers, television, radio, and magazines distributing news and entertainment content.

·      Online Platforms: Websites, forums, and blogs that host and share various forms of content.

 

Information Consumers

·      General Public: Individuals who consume news, entertainment, educational content, and other forms of information.

·      Professionals: Individuals in specific fields who create and rely on specialized information.

·      Organizations: Businesses, nonprofits, and governmental bodies that use information for decision-making and strategy.

 

Regulatory Bodies

·      Government Regulators: Agencies that enforce laws and regulations related to media, information privacy, and intellectual property.

·      Industry Groups: Organizations that set standards and guidelines for information dissemination and ethical practices.

 

Dynamics of the Information Ecosystem

Engaging within the information ecosystem requires participating in interrelated activities. Information is generated through research, reporting, personal expression, and other methods. Verification processes, such as fact-checking and peer review, are crucial to ensure accuracy and credibility. Information is distributed through various channels, from traditional media to digital platforms. Access to information is influenced by factors such as digital divide, censorship, and platform algorithms. Individuals consume information based on personal preferences, biases, and social influences. Interpretation of information can vary widely, affecting public opinion and behavior. Consumers provide feedback through comments, shares, likes, and other forms of engagement. This interaction can influence future content production and distribution strategies. Finally, regulatory bodies and ethical standards shape the practices of information producers and distributors. Unfortunately, technological innovations occur more rapidly than regulation and ethical standards. Issues such as misinformation, data privacy, and intellectual property rights are key considerations.

 

Challenges in the Information Ecosystem

With technological advances, numerous challenges exist, including the rapid spread of mis-and dis-information, information overload, echo chambers, inequities, and increased privacy concerns. The spread of false or misleading information can have significant societal impacts, from influencing elections to public health crises. The vast amount of information can overwhelm consumers, making it difficult to discern credible sources.  Algorithms and personalized content can create echo chambers where individuals are exposed only to information that reinforces their existing beliefs. Inequities in access to technology and information resources can exacerbate social and economic disparities. The collection and use of personal data by information platforms raises significant privacy issues.

 

Artificial Intelligence and the Information Ecosystem

AI systems are reshaping the information ecosystem. Information systems play a crucial role in everyday life by influencing and reorganizing people’s thoughts, actions, social interactions, and identities. Hirvonen et al. (2023) argued that the “affordances of AI systems integrated into search engines, social media platforms, streaming services, and media generation, shape such practices in ways that may, paradoxically, result both in the increase and reduction of diversity of and access to information” (p. 1).

 

Fleming (2023) indicated that AI tools can create distorted histories and fake profiles, presenting them persuasively as facts. The stakes are escalating daily as rapid advancements in generative AI pose the risk of escalating online hate speech and misinformation to unprecedented levels. These voices are not new, but the global reach of social media allows lies and conspiracy theories to spread instantly worldwide, affecting millions, undermining trust in science, and fostering hatred potent enough to incite violence. Pernice (2019) indicates that the questions of how to (1) effectively safeguard the deliberative process of building political will and (2) preserve the legitimacy of the democratic process against various IT-driven manipulation attempts remains unresolved. 

 

Importance of a Healthy Information Ecosystem

Peterson-Salahuddin (2023) commented that concerns within information ecosystems include (1) ways information production, particularly in mainstream journalism, can lead to information inequity in its representations and (2) the dissemination and retrieval of this journalistic information via algorithmically mediated online systems, such as social media and search platforms, can replicate and reinforce information inequity within the broader information ecosystem. A healthy information ecosystem is essential for informed citizenship, effective governance, and social cohesion. It promotes:

 

1.    Informed Decision-Making: Accurate and reliable information enables individuals and organizations to make informed decisions.

 

2.    Democratic Participation: Access to diverse and credible information supports democratic processes and civic engagement.

 

3.    Social Trust: A trustworthy information ecosystem fosters social trust and cooperation.

 

4.    Innovation and Progress: Access to knowledge and information drives innovation, education, and cultural development.

 

In a prophetic comment, Nardi and O’Day (1999) indicated that the ecological metaphor conveys a “sense of urgency about the need to take control of our information ecologies, to inject our own values and needs into them so that we are not overwhelmed by some of our technological tools” (p. 49). Maintaining a healthy information ecosystem requires efforts from all stakeholders, including information producers, distributors, consumers, and regulators, to uphold standards of accuracy, fairness, and transparency.

 

References

Fleming, M. (2023, June 13). Healing Our Troubled Information Ecosystem. Medium. https://melissa-fleming.medium.com/healing-our-troubled-information-ecosystem-cf2e9e8a4bed

Hirvonen, N., Jylhä, V., Lao, Y., & Larsson, S. (2023). Artificial intelligence in the information ecosystem: Affordances for everyday information seeking. Journal of the Association of Information Science Technology, 74(12), 1–14.

Kuehn, E. F. (2022). The information ecosystem concept in information literacy: A theoretical approach and definition. Journal of the Association of Information Science Technology, 74(4), 434-443. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24733

Nardi, B. A., & O’Day, V. L. (1999). Information ecologies: Using technology with heart. MIT Press.

Pernice, I. (2019, March 5). Protecting the global digital information ecosystem:  A practical initiative. Internet Policy Review. https://policyreview.info/articles/news/protecting-global-digital-information-ecosystem-practical-initiative/1386

Peterson-Salahuddin, C. (2024). From information access to production: New perspectives on addressing information inequity in our digital information ecosystem. Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, 1. https://doi-org /10.1002/asi.24879 

 

Historical Literacy and Why It Matters

 

 

By Lilian H. Hill

 

You may remember studying history in school with distaste because of an emphasis on remembering wars, names, and dates, but with little attention given to why things occurred, what they mean, and how the past influences life today. Unfortunately, school curricula often focused on memorization leading to students’ boredom and disinterest. In 2019, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation published results of a nationwide study that indicated that only 40% of American citizens can pass a multiple-choice test based on 20 history questions from the U.S. citizenship test (Gewertz, 2019).  The study's authors concluded that excessive reliance on passive methods, such as textbooks and lectures that focus on memorizing facts, dates, and places, accounts for students' poor understanding of history. History instruction needs to become more relevant and engaging to address this issue, incorporating interactive teaching methods and emphasizing deep comprehension (Lewer, 2019).

 

Historical Literacy

Historical knowledge provides a lens with which to interpret current events and detect false narratives and intentional distortions present in many forms of media. Historical literacy is essential for informed citizenship, cultural understanding, and democratic values. It empowers individuals to participate meaningfully in democratic societies, make informed decisions, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the human experience across time. Individuals can contribute to a more just, equitable, and interconnected world by engaging with history critically and empathetically.

 

Historical literacy is understanding, interpreting, and critically analyzing historical events, concepts, and contexts. It encompasses factual knowledge about past events and the skills to analyze primary and secondary sources, recognize historical patterns and trends, evaluate differing perspectives, and draw informed conclusions about the significance and impact of historical events on societies and individuals. Brick (2021), historian and professor at George Washington University, defined historical literacy as the ability to assess evidence and evaluate arguments, to consider various viewpoints and determine their accuracy, to interpret current events in the context of historical ones, and to identify the connections linking patterns over time. With the internet, almost everyone has access to even the most obscure historical facts. Historians are not necessary for this information; instead, it is more important to cultivate critical thinking skills to distinguish credible narratives from false ones. 

 

Historical Research

Historical literacy encompasses skills related to historical research and inquiry, such as formulating research questions, conducting archival research, and synthesizing information from multiple sources. These skills enable individuals to actively engage with historical scholarship and contribute to studying and interpreting history. Historians confront the intricacies of the past by grappling with essential questions like “How do we know about the past?” “What was life like then?” and “Why is it important to remember it?” Lévesque (2013) suggests researching history requires seeking answers to questions such as:

 

·      Why is it important to study history?

·      How does learning about history influence our self-identity?

·      How does historical knowledge build empathy?

·      How does knowledge of history shape understandings of the present?

 

These inquiries engage historians in a research process focused on investigating past events and creating evidence-based narratives. This dynamic and ongoing disciplinary endeavor is open to debate and revision (Lévesque, 2013). Historians extensively use a range of primary sources, meaning first-hand accounts of a topic or event created by people who had a direct experience of it. The results allow for a detailed examination of identifiable trends and societal relationships contributing to modern understanding of historical events. Historical literacy involves identifying themes, patterns, and trends across different historical periods and drawing connections between past events and contemporary issues.

 

 

 

Components of Historical Literacy

Most people will not become historical researchers, however, some knowledge of how history is constructed is required for informed citizenship, as it enables individuals to understand the complexities of the past, appreciate diverse perspectives, and critically evaluate contemporary issues in their historical context. There are several components of historical literacy:

Factual Knowledge: Historical literacy involves possessing a foundational understanding of key historical events, figures, dates, and movements. This includes knowledge of major events such as wars, revolutions, social movements, and significant cultural developments. Beyond a simple recounting of events, historians search for contextual understanding. 

 

Contextual Understanding: Historical literacy involves understanding the context in which historical events occurred, including the political, social, economic, and cultural factors that influenced them. It requires recognizing the interconnectedness of historical events and their broader significance within a particular time-period or geographical region.

 

Critical Thinking: Historical literacy requires the ability to think critically about historical information. This involves questioning sources, considering biases, and evaluating the reliability and credibility of historical accounts. Critical thinking skills enable individuals to analyze historical evidence and arguments and form reasoned interpretations. For example, our changing perspectives about indigenous groups, minorities, and women and recognition of their contributions is a result of critical thinking.

 

Multiple Perspectives: Historical literacy involves considering multiple perspectives and viewpoints on historical events and phenomena. It requires understanding that historical narratives can vary depending on factors such as cultural background, ideology, and personal experience. Engaging with diverse perspectives enriches historical understanding and promotes empathy and tolerance. An example is the continual debate over what the U.S. “founding fathers” intended and whether we should adhere strictly to their intentions, informed by varied interpretations of those intentions.

 

Effective Communication: Historical literacy involves the ability to communicate historical knowledge and interpretations effectively, both orally and in writing. This includes constructing coherent arguments, supporting claims with evidence, and engaging in respectful dialogue with others about historical topics.

 

In conclusion, historical literacy is vital for developing well-rounded, informed, and engaged individuals capable of contributing thoughtfully to society.

References

Brick, C. (2021, May 28). From Jan. 6 to Rick Santorum's firing, America's historical illiteracy is on display. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/05/28/teaching-american-history-matter-life-and-death-democracy/7435

Gewertz, C. (2019, May 7). History Instruction Indicted: Too Much Memorization, Too Little Meaning. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/history-instruction-indicted-too-much-memorization-too-little-meaning/2019/05

Lévesque, S., (2013, February 19). What Does it Mean to Be "Historically Literate"? The History of Education Network. https://thenhier.ca/en/content/what-does-it-mean-be-historically-literate.html

Lewer, B. (2019). Reimagining American History Education. The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. https://woodrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WW-Reimagining-American-History-Education.pdf

How Artificial Intelligence Influences Voters and Election Results

 

Image Credit: Edmond Dantès, Pexels

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can directly influence voters through the widespread adoption of chatbots integrated into search engines. In this podcast episode, Dr. Lilian Hill discusses how AI influences voters and election results. 

 

References

Noti, A. (2024. February 28). How Artificial Intelligence Influences Elections, and What We Can Do About It. Campaign Legal Center. https://campaignlegal.org/update/how-artificial-intelligence-influences-elections-and-what-we-can-do-about-it

Panditharatne, M. & Giansiracusa, N. (2023, Juy 21). How AI Puts Elections at Risk — And the Needed Safeguards. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/how-ai-puts-elections-risk-and-needed-

 

 

Listen to the Podcast

 

Information Literacy Episode 23 Transcripts

 

 

Emotional Literacy and its Relationship to Information Literacy

 

 

By Lilian H. Hill

 

Emotional literacy refers to recognizing, understanding, and effectively expressing emotions. It involves being aware of your feelings, the ability to label them accurately, and understanding the reasons behind them. Additionally, emotional literacy involves being able to manage and regulate your emotions in healthy ways while at the same time empathizing with others and their emotional states. Ninivaggi (2022) describes emotional literacy as a “deep understanding of one's emotions, empathetically listening to others, and responding effectively and meaningfully” (para. 1). Emotionally literate People are often better equipped to navigate social interactions, manage conflicts, and build strong relationships. They can communicate their needs and boundaries more effectively and are often more resilient in the face of challenges because they have the skills to cope with difficult emotions.

 

Emotions and Vocabulary

A limited vocabulary can limit your world. Author Brené Brown (2021) stated that “language is our portal to meaning-making, connection, healing, learning, and self-awareness” (p. 242). Language allows us to make sense of our life experiences. The stronger your vocabulary is, the better you can understand your own life and share your experiences with others close to you.

 

As human beings, we make meaning of our life experiences. We seek to understand ourselves, our place in the world, and the world itself. No other species we know has this urge to assign meaning to different life experiences. As humans, we want to understand ourselves, our loves, our work, our world, and our place. We can think about our lives and our interactions with other people. Humans need meaning, and humanity is made from meaning.

 

Making meaning involves our emotions, which serve as the link between learning and memory. We literally must feel something is true before it can be believed and learned. Emotions increase the strength of memories and help us recall the context of an experience, rendering it meaningful. Brown (2021) asks her readers to imagine what life would be like if we could only name three emotions: happy, sad, and angry.

 

A limited vocabulary can significantly restrict our understanding and expression of experiences. Language is vital for making sense of life, connecting with others, and fostering self-awareness and growth. The richness of one's vocabulary directly correlates with one's ability to comprehend and articulate life's complexities to oneself and those around one.

 

Brown (2021) highlights the importance of an expansive emotional vocabulary, suggesting that a limited range of emotions hampers our self-understanding. A narrow emotional lexicon, consisting primarily of “happy,” “sad,” and “angry,” fails to capture the breadth and depth of human emotional experience. By expanding our emotional vocabulary to encompass a wider array of positive and negative feelings, we gain a more nuanced understanding of ourselves and our interactions with the world.

 

Furthermore, Brown (2021) emphasizes that our emotional vocabulary influences how we experience and manage emotions. Refining our ability to identify and articulate our feelings enables us to navigate life's challenges more effectively. Additionally, a diverse emotional vocabulary facilitates better communication and empathy, improving our relationships with others. In summary, cultivating a rich emotional vocabulary is essential for enhancing self-awareness, shaping our future, managing emotions, and fostering meaningful connections.

 

Relationship of Emotional Literacy to Information Literacy

Emotional and information literacy are essential skills in today's complex world. Matteson et al. (2013) explored research documenting an affective component to interacting with information. They stated that information literacy processes, including identifying the need for information, finding it, comprehending it, and applying it, are associated with various emotions. Connections between the emotional and information literacy are described below:

 

Critical Thinking: Both emotional literacy and information literacy require critical thinking skills. Emotional literacy involves understanding and critically evaluating one's own emotions and the emotions of others, while information literacy involves critically evaluating sources of information for credibility, bias, and relevance.

 

Decision Making: Both skill sets contribute to effective decision-making. Emotional literacy helps individuals consider their emotions and how they might influence their choices, while information literacy enables individuals to gather and assess relevant information to make informed decisions. Recent studies have underscored the importance of emotion in rational decision-making. Our emotional responses significantly influence our decisions, and our overall welfare could hinge on our capacity to comprehend and analyze these emotions, integrating them with logical reasoning to arrive at suitable decisions (Ratson, 2023).

 

Communication: Emotional literacy involves expressing emotions effectively and understanding the emotions conveyed by others, which is essential for clear and empathetic communication. Information literacy includes effectively communicating ideas, findings, and arguments, whether in written or verbal form.

 

Self-awareness and Self-regulation: Emotional literacy fosters self-awareness and self-regulation by helping individuals understand their emotional responses and manage them appropriately. Similarly, information literacy encourages self-awareness about one's knowledge gaps and biases and self-regulation in seeking out and evaluating information to fill those gaps and mitigate biases.

 

Problem Solving: Emotional and information literacy contribute to effective problem-solving skills. Emotional literacy helps individuals understand the underlying emotions and find constructive ways to address them, while information literacy enables individuals to gather and analyze relevant information to solve problems effectively.

 

While emotional literacy primarily focuses on understanding and managing emotions, and information literacy focuses on finding, evaluating, and using information, both skill sets are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Developing emotional and information literacy proficiency can enhance an individual's ability to navigate various aspects of life, make informed decisions, communicate effectively, and solve problems.

References

Brown, B. (2021). Atlas of the heart: Mapping meaningful connection and the language of human experience. Random House.

Matteson, M., Farooq, O., & Mease, D. (2013, April 12). Feeling our way: Emotional intelligence and information literacy competency. Association of College and Research Libraries Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

Ninivaggi, F. J. (2022). Emotional Knowing and Emotional Literacy: A new model for understanding emotion optimizes performance. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/envy/202209/emotional-knowing-and-emotional-literacy

Ratson, M. (2023, August 7). The power of emotions in decision making. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-wisdom-of-anger/202308/the-power-of-emotions-in-decision-making#:~:text=Emotions%2C%20especially%20at%20a%20high,and%20proportional%20to%20the%20situation.

Protecting Yourself from Fraud

 

Image Credit, Pexels

Sora Shimazaki,Tima Miroshnichenko, Mikhail Nilov, Tara Winstead

 

By Lilian H. Hill

With our technologically interconnected world, we are increasingly vulnerable to financial fraud. As technology evolves, so have methods of perpetrating fraud. Cybercriminals constantly seek new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems, from phishing scams to hacking into databases. In intricate financial or business transactions, fraudulent activities evade detection. Criminals often exploit psychological tactics to manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information. This can include tactics like impersonation, persuasion, or exploiting trust.

 

Common Types of Financial Fraud

Identity Theft: Identity theft occurs when someone steals another person's personal information, such as Social Security numbers, credit card details, or bank account information, to commit fraud or other crimes. Personal information can be used to open new credit card accounts that the victim has no knowledge of, and then rack up large amounts of debt for which the victim will be liable. Other types of credit card fraud include unauthorized use of information to make purchases or withdraw funds without the cardholder's consent. This can occur through stolen cards, card skimming devices, or online hacking.

Phishing: Phishing involves fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as login credentials, passwords, or financial data, by impersonating legitimate entities through email, text messages, or phone calls. These scam artists send emails or pop-up messages that might alert you to a problem with your account or state that you have a refund waiting. Some of these messages come from legitimate companies (U.S. Office of the Comptroller, n.d.). 

Debt Elimination Fraud: Debt elimination fraud differs from reputable companies that assist debtors in responsibly managing their debts. Instead of offering genuine help, scammers claim they can rid you of debt for a small upfront or membership fee, which they pocket without delivering on their promises. Those ensnared in these schemes not only lose the initial fee but also face potential loss of property, accumulation of further debt, harm to their credit score, exposure to identity theft, or even legal consequences (U.S. Office of the Comptroller, n.d.).

Investment Scams: Investment scams lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes promising high returns with little or no risk. These scams can involve pyramid schemes, financial markets, cryptocurrency, real estate, precious metals, or fraudulent offerings of stocks, bonds, or other financial products. They may lure victims in with complimentary workshops or seminars but swiftly transition to charging substantial fees for further training or coaching, purportedly enhancing your chances of success (Federal Trade Commission, 2023).

Advance Fee Fraud: Advance fee fraud, also known as Upfront Fee Fraud, involves soliciting victims to pay upfront fees or taxes in exchange for a larger payout that never materializes. It may involve an opportunity to participate in a special deal or promises to send you money, products, or services. A common tactic is requesting your assistance in removing funds from a country in political turmoil or even asking for your assistance to help law enforcement catch thieves. What the differing methods share is that victims will never recoup their money (U.S. Office of the Comptroller, n.d.).

Tech Support Scams: Tech support scams involve fraudulent individuals or organizations posing as tech support representatives who claim to fix nonexistent computer problems. They often persuade victims to provide access to their computers or pay for unnecessary services.

Romance Scams: Romance scams target individuals seeking romantic partners online. Scammers create fake profiles on dating websites or social media platforms to establish relationships with victims and eventually request money under false pretenses. They often prey on the lonely.

Healthcare Fraud: Healthcare fraud encompasses various schemes aimed at defrauding healthcare insurance providers, government healthcare programs, or individuals by billing for unnecessary services, falsifying medical claims, or selling counterfeit medications. A well-known case occurred in Mississippi. A couple was convicted of health care fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion, while their public business was a Christmas tree farm.

Charity Scams: Charity scams exploit individuals' generosity by soliciting donations for fake charities or causes. Scammers may use emotional appeals or misleading tactics to deceive donors and pocket the contributions.

 

These are just a few examples of the many types of financial fraud and scams that exist. As technology evolves and criminals become more sophisticated, new variations of scams continue to emerge, highlighting the importance of vigilance and awareness in protecting against financial exploitation.

 

Ways to Protect Yourself

Avoiding financial fraud and scams is crucial to safeguarding your assets and personal information. The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024) suggests the following strategies:

 

Image Credit, Liza Summer, Pexels

Be Skeptical: Always approach unsolicited offers or requests for personal or financial information with skepticism. Scammers often use tactics like urgency or fear to pressure you into making impulsive decisions. The truism, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is” applies here. Don't hesitate to seek advice from trusted friends, family members, or financial professionals.

 

Verify Identity: Before sharing any personal or financial information, verify the identity of the person or organization you are dealing with. Legitimate entities will provide ways to confirm their identity, such as official websites, phone numbers, or physical addresses.

 

Secure Communication: Ensure that any communication regarding sensitive information, such as bank account details or social security numbers, is conducted over secure channels. Look for HTTPS (Hypertext transfer protocol secure) in website URLs and avoid sharing sensitive information over unsecured networks. Do not use public Wi-Fi when conducting sensitive or financial transactions.

Beware of Phishing: Be cautious of emails, messages, or calls requesting personal or financial information, especially if they create a sense of urgency or ask you to click on suspicious links.

 

Monitor Accounts Regularly: Keep a close eye on your bank statements, credit card transactions, and other financial accounts. Report any unauthorized or suspicious activity immediately to your financial institution.

 

Use Strong Passwords: Protect your online accounts with strong, unique passwords. Avoid using easily guessable passwords and consider using a reputable password manager to store your login credentials securely. Those days are long gone if you have ever used a single password for everything.

 

Enable multi-factor authentication: Options for MFA include receiving a text, phone call or email that provides a code you will enter. The code will expire within a stipulated timeline. The most secure and simple way to set up MFA is to set up a face or fingerprint scan. MFA requires you to take extra steps to access your accounts, so it can feel like a nuisance; however, it is an effective way to add an extra layer of protection to confidential data (Boyer, 2023). 

 

Update Software: Keep your computer, smartphone, and other devices updated with the latest security patches and software updates. Outdated software may contain vulnerabilities that scammers can exploit to access your personal information.

Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common scams and fraud tactics. Familiarize yourself with the latest trends in financial fraud and learn how to recognize warning signs.

 

Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter or suspect financial fraud or scams, report them to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your state attorney general's office, or local law enforcement. Reporting such activity can help protect others from falling victim to similar schemes.

 

References

Boyer, C. (2023, October 23). Why you should use multi-factor authentication for all your accounts. UK Information Technology. https://its.uky.edu/news/why-you-should-be-using-multifactor-authentication-all-your-online-ccounts#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20protecting%20against,card%20numbers%2C%20usernames%20or%20passwords.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024, March 1). What are some classic signs of possible fraud and scams. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-are-some-classic-warning-signs-of-possible-fraud-and-scams-en-2094/#:~:text=Here%20are%20some%20tips%20to,prize%20or%20other%20financial%20windfall 

Federal Trade Commission (2023). Investment scams. FTC Consumer Advice. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/investment-scams

United States Attorney’s Office (2020, July 23). Pharmacy owners sentenced to prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and tax evasion in $200 million compounding pharmacy scheme. Southern District of Mississippi. https://bit.ly/3WfZ1j7

U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (n.d.). Types of Fraud. https://www.occ.gov/topics/consumers-and-communities/consumer-protection/fraud-resources/types-of-consumer-fraud.html#advance