Ascension Global Technology

10/20/2026

🚨 **Cyber Tip: Don’t Let Urgency Override Your Judgment**

You receive a call, text, or email claiming to be from law enforcement or a government agency.

They say there’s a problem.

Then comes the pressure:

“Pay immediately.”
“Your account is under investigation.”
“There’s a warrant for your arrest.”
“Send cryptocurrency or gift cards to resolve it.”

That’s a major red flag.

The FBI warns that scammers are impersonating government and law-enforcement officials to steal money and personal information.

Protect yourself:

✅ Don’t trust caller ID alone — numbers can be spoofed.
✅ Never send gift cards, cryptocurrency, or prepaid cards because of an unexpected demand.
✅ Don’t provide passwords, Social Security numbers, or banking information.
✅ Hang up and contact the agency using a phone number from its official website.
✅ Be suspicious whenever someone creates extreme urgency or fear.

A few minutes spent verifying a request could prevent a costly mistake.

**Stop. Verify. Then act.**

Stay cyber aware with Ascension Global Technology.

10/19/2026

🗳️ Election season is here, and scammers are hoping to get your attention, too!

Whether you're donating to a campaign or purchasing merchandise to support a candidate, it's worth taking a moment to make sure you're dealing with a legitimate organization.

The FBI recently warned that scammers are using candidate names, campaign logos, and convincing websites to collect fraudulent donations, sell merchandise that never arrives, and steal personal information.

💡 Before you donate or purchase:

✅ Visit the campaign's official website rather than following an unexpected link.

✅ Research the organization requesting your contribution.

✅ Be cautious of anyone promising a financial return on a political donation.

A little verification can help ensure your money goes where you intended.

🔗 FBI Consumer Alert:
https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA261015-3

10/16/2026

📱 "Hi, I'm calling about your account. I just need to verify a few details."

The caller knows your name. Maybe they even know where you work, what bank you use, or something about a recent purchase.

That makes the conversation feel legitimate, doesn't it?

Here's something worth knowing: According to new research from Consumer Reports, 20% of surveyed consumers who had encountered a scam attempt said their most recent attempt was personalized using their information.

That's an important distinction. Scammers don't always approach us as strangers anymore.

Information shared online, exposed through data breaches, or gathered from public sources can help someone create a convincing story.

🔎 So how do you protect yourself?

✅ Don't assume someone is legitimate simply because they know personal details about you.

✅ Never share a one-time verification code with an unexpected caller.

✅ If someone claims to represent your bank or another company, end the conversation and contact the organization through its official number.

✅ Be mindful of how much personal information you share publicly.

💡 Familiar information can make a conversation feel trustworthy. But knowing something about you isn't the same as proving who someone is.

The next time someone calls and seems to know a little too much, remember that you can always take a moment to verify.

💬 Have you ever received a suspicious call or message that included surprisingly accurate information about you?

📖 Read the Consumer Reports study:
https://www.consumerreports.org/media-room/press-releases/2026/10/new-study-by-consumer-reports-reveals-9-in-10-americans-targeted-by-a-cyberattack-or-digital-scam-attempt/

10/15/2026

📩 It's Monday morning. You're catching up on emails, reviewing invoices, and working through everything that needs your attention.

An invoice comes in from what appears to be a familiar vendor. It looks professional, includes payment instructions, and maybe even says "PAST DUE."

You don't remember approving it, but perhaps someone else did?

And that's exactly what scammers are counting on.

Fake invoice scams can be surprisingly convincing. Fraudsters may impersonate legitimate vendors, send invoices for services never ordered, or change payment instructions on bills your business actually owes.

The goal is simple: Make a fraudulent payment look like an ordinary part of your workday.

🔎 Before approving that next invoice, consider a few simple safeguards:

✅ Verify the purchase. Can you confirm the product or service was actually ordered?

✅ Know your vendors. If you don't recognize the company or the invoice looks different than usual, investigate before paying.

✅ Watch for urgency. A "past due" notice doesn't automatically mean a payment is legitimate.

✅ Confirm payment details. If banking instructions have changed, contact the vendor using a phone number you already trust.

💡 Here's the takeaway: A professional-looking invoice isn't proof that a payment is owed.

At AGT, we believe protecting a business isn't just about technology. It's also about creating simple processes that help people make confident decisions, even on their busiest days.

💬 Does your workplace have a process for verifying unfamiliar invoices before they're paid?

📖 Learn more about invoice fraud and how to protect your business:
https://www.forward.bank/about/the-hangout/business-banking/preventing-invoice-and-qr-code-fraud/

Learn how local businesses and nonprofits can defend against fraud, QR code scams, and payment threats with practical tools and banking support.

10/14/2026

🎉 Congratulations! You've won a million dollars!

Imagine getting that phone call. Maybe you've also won a new car or an all-expenses-paid vacation. Sounds pretty exciting, doesn't it?

But there's a catch. Before you can collect your prize, you're told you need to pay a small processing fee, cover the taxes, or provide your banking information.

🚩 That's when the red flags should go up.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers about scammers impersonating legitimate sweepstakes organizations, including Publishers Clearing House, to convince people they've won prizes that don't actually exist.

And these scams can be convincing! Scammers may use official-sounding names, professional language, and promises of life-changing winnings to gain your trust.

💡 Here's what you and your loved ones should remember:

✅ **You should never have to pay to collect a legitimate sweepstakes prize.** Requests for upfront taxes, processing fees, or delivery charges are major warning signs.

✅ **Don't share your financial information.** A surprise prize notification is not a reason to provide your banking details or credit card number.

✅ **Be cautious of urgency.** Scammers may pressure you to act quickly before you've had time to think or ask questions.

✅ **Talk to someone you trust.** If an unexpected prize sounds too good to be true, a second opinion can make all the difference.

❤️ And here's something especially important: If a family member or friend tells you they've received one of these calls, listen without judgment. Scammers can be incredibly persuasive, and a supportive conversation might help someone avoid a costly mistake.

At AGT, we believe scam awareness is about helping people recognize the warning signs before a moment of excitement turns into a financial loss.

💬 Have you or someone you know ever received a call claiming you'd won a prize you never entered to win?

📖 Read the FTC's consumer warning:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/03/random-call-saying-youve-won-prize-scam

10/13/2026

☎️ You have a problem with an order, a bank account, or a subscription. So you do what most of us would do. You search online for a customer service number and make the call.

But what if the person who answers isn't actually from the company?

Scammers can create convincing websites, advertisements, and search listings that lead people to fraudulent customer service numbers. And because you're the one making the call, you may feel more comfortable trusting the person on the other end.

That's what makes this scam so tricky. You're not responding to a suspicious message. You're actively looking for help!

🔎 Before making that call:

✅ Find customer service information through the company's official website or app.

✅ Be cautious of search advertisements displaying support numbers.

✅ Never share a password, verification code, or remote access to your device with someone claiming to help.

✅ If you're unsure, hang up and verify the number independently.

💡 Remember, making the call yourself doesn't automatically mean the person answering is legitimate.

Have you ever searched for a customer service number and found several different results? It's worth knowing which one to trust.

📖 Learn more from the FTC:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts

The official website of the Federal Trade Commission, protecting America’s consumers for over 100 years.

10/12/2026

📱 What if we told you that 9 out of 10 Americans have encountered a digital scam or cyberattack attempt?

According to new research from Consumer Reports, 91% of U.S. adults surveyed reported encountering at least one digital scam or cyberattack attempt.

That's a powerful reminder that these experiences aren't unusual anymore. They're part of the digital world we navigate every day.

And here's something worth remembering: Being targeted doesn't mean you've done anything wrong, and encountering a scam doesn't mean you've fallen for one.

💡 A few simple habits can make a difference:

✅ Pause before responding to unexpected messages, even when they look familiar.

✅ Verify requests for money, passwords, or personal information through a trusted source.

✅ Talk openly with family and friends about suspicious messages. Sharing what you've seen may help someone else recognize a scam.

At AGT, we believe awareness is one of the most practical tools we have. The goal isn't to be suspicious of everything. It's to know when something deserves a second look.

💬 Have you noticed more suspicious texts, calls, or emails lately?

📖 Read the Consumer Reports research:
https://www.consumerreports.org/media-room/press-releases/2026/10/new-study-by-consumer-reports-reveals-9-in-10-americans-targeted-by-a-cyberattack-or-digital-scam-attempt/

Washington, DC – Consumer Reports (CR), along with Aspen Digital and the Global Cyber Alliance, released the fifth annual Consumer Cyber Readiness Report today, marking the beginning of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year’s report examines how American consumers view and manage their digita...

10/09/2026

🚗 “You owe $4.37 in unpaid tolls. Pay now to avoid additional penalties.”

Sounds like a minor inconvenience, right? Especially if you've recently traveled on a toll road.

That's exactly what scammers are counting on.

Fake toll payment texts are a common phishing scam. The message claims you have an outstanding balance and provides a link to settle it before additional fees are added.

But that link may take you to a fraudulent website designed to collect your credit card details and personal information.

🔎 Before you pay, remember:

🚫 Don't click payment links in unexpected text messages.

✅ If you think you might owe a toll, visit the toll agency's official website directly.

📱 Report suspicious texts as junk or forward them to 7726 (SPAM).

💳 If you've already entered payment information, contact your bank or card issuer immediately.

Here's the takeaway: A small charge can be easy to dismiss as legitimate, especially when paying it seems simpler than questioning it.

A few extra seconds to verify the message could save you a much bigger headache.

💬 Have you received one of these unpaid toll messages?

🔗 Consumer Reports explains how to recognize these scams:
https://www.consumerreports.org/money/scams-fraud/texts-about-tolls-are-almost-always-scams-how-to-tell-a2954184895/

If you've gotten a text about unpaid tolls or tickets pretending to be from E-ZPass, FasTrak, or another agency, it's almost certainly a scam.

10/08/2026

📬 SCAM WARNING: Here’s something we never thought we’d tell you to check for a fake: your postage stamps.

Yes. Your stamps.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is warning consumers about counterfeit Forever Stamps being sold online, and some of the offers can look surprisingly legitimate.

Think about how easily this could happen: you need stamps, you search online, and you find a pack of Forever Stamps for considerably less than you’d pay at the post office. Maybe it’s advertised as a bulk discount, overstock or a special promotion.

Why wouldn't you save a few dollars?

🚩 That unusually low price may be the warning sign.

According to the Postal Inspection Service, counterfeit stamps are being sold through social media marketplaces, e-commerce sites and other websites, sometimes at discounts of 20–50% below their actual value.

So, how do you protect yourself?

📬 Buy stamps directly from USPS or an Approved Postal Provider.

💰 Be suspicious of unusually large discounts. Forever Stamps have a set value, so someone selling them far below that value deserves a second look.

🔎 If you’re shopping through an online marketplace, pay attention to who the actual seller is—not just the website you're shopping on.

🛑 If the deal seems too good to be true, don't let something as ordinary as a book of stamps lower your guard.

Scams don't always involve an alarming phone call or suspicious text. Sometimes they look like a really good deal on something you've bought your entire life without thinking twice.

And apparently, now that includes stamps. 😳📬

Learn more from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service:
https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/counterfeit-postage

Secure the mail. Deliver justice. Protect us all. For 250 years, we have protected the U.S. Mail and everyone who uses it.

10/07/2026

🚨 SCAM WARNING: That amazing deal in your social media feed might not be a deal at all.

You’re scrolling Facebook or Instagram and there it is: a brand you recognize, a product you’ve looked at before, and a price that makes you stop. Maybe it’s 70% off. Maybe it says the company is going out of business. There’s a countdown clock, “only 3 left,” or hundreds of comments that seem to prove other people are buying too.

It looks like an ad, so it’s easy to assume someone must have verified that the company behind it is legitimate.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Scammers can create ads that impersonate real companies, copy legitimate websites and use familiar logos and product photos to lead shoppers to fake storefronts. The FTC warns that seeing an ad on social media does not mean the offer or seller has been vetted.

Before buying from an unfamiliar site:
🔎 Search the company or website name along with words like “scam,” “complaint” or “review.”
🌐 Look closely at the actual website address—not just the logo or company name.
💳 Use a credit card when possible, which generally provides stronger protections if something goes wrong.
⏳ Don't let a countdown clock or “limited supply” rush you into purchasing.
🚩 And if the price seems almost impossible, give yourself a minute to verify it somewhere else.

The scam isn't always trying to find you in your inbox anymore. Sometimes it's sitting between a vacation photo and a recipe while you're scrolling your feed.

Have you ever stopped yourself from buying something because an online deal seemed just a little too good to be true?

Learn more from the FTC: https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams

The official website of the Federal Trade Commission, protecting America’s consumers for over 100 years.