Vishing, phishing, smishing—no, they’re not the latest TikTok dance trends. These are the sneaky, ever-evolving cyber scams that can seriously mess with your business. Whether it’s a too-good-to-be-true email, a phone call from “your bank,” or a suspicious text asking you to click a link, these digital traps are designed to look legit and catch you off guard. And with how fast scammers are adapting, even the most tech-savvy among us can fall for them. That’s why understanding the different types of scams is the first step in protecting your business (and your sanity!)

Understanding the Scam Trifecta:

• Phishing typically shows up in your inbox, masked as a trusted source. These emails urge you to click a link, download a file, or log in to a fake page, tricking you into handing over sensitive information.

• Vishing takes the scam to the phone, with smooth-talking fraudsters pretending to be from your bank, the IRS, or even your IT support—anyone who can create a sense of urgency.

• Smishing happens through text messages and is especially dangerous because we tend to be more casual and trusting with our phones. That “package delivery” link? It might just be a phishing site in disguise.

Now that you know how these scams creep into your life, let’s talk about what you can do to shut them down before they cause chaos. The good news? A few smart habits and some proactive training can go a long way in making your business a much harder target to attack. Here's how to build your cyber defenses from the inside out:

• Verify Before Trusting: When in doubt, contact the organization directly via official channels.

• Secure Your Tech: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere possible—it's your cyber seatbelt!

• Employee Awareness: Conduct regular training to ensure your team can recognize and respond appropriately.

These scammy “-ishing” schemes might be getting more creative, but with a little awareness and the right habits, you can outsmart even the slickest cybercriminals. The key is knowing what to look for and making cybersecurity second nature for you and your team.