The holiday season will soon be upon us. It is a time of joy, generosity, and connection—but unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers and criminals are more active than ever. At Fortera, your safety and financial well-being are our top priorities, and I want to remind you to stay extra vigilant in the weeks ahead.

Each year, fraudsters take advantage of the busy season with fake shopping websites, phishing emails, suspicious texts, and too-good-to-be-true offers. While technology makes shopping and giving more convenient, it also gives criminals more opportunities to deceive. In this issue of our member newsletter, you will find tips on how to protect yourself from some of these digital scams.

In addition to your digital safety, I also wanted to remind you of steps you can take to protect yourself while you are out and about during the holiday season.

Keep your wallet and phone secure. Carry only what you need and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight in your car.
Be cautious at ATMs. Choose well-lit, busy locations and shield your PIN when entering it.
Don’t carry large amounts of cash. Use your debit or credit card when possible for added protection.
Stay alert while shopping. Avoid distractions like looking at your phone when walking through parking lots or crowded stores.
Setup transaction alerts on all your banking accounts so you can quickly catch any unusual activity.
Beware of package theft. Track deliveries, bring packages inside promptly, and consider having them delivered to a secure location.

Remember, if something seems unusual or suspicious, trust your instincts. This holiday season, let’s focus on what matters most: celebrating safely with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ventimiglia

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