Cybercrime rises in Tri-Cities during the holidays. Protect yourself | Opinion

As we head into the holiday season — a time when many of us are shopping online, traveling and juggling year-end priorities, I want to highlight a growing threat that affects families, small businesses and entire communities: cybercrime. The holiday season should be filled with celebration, not criminal activity — yet it’s one of the peak periods for digital scams. When shoppers are distracted and rushing, cybercriminals see opportunity. Local and national banks see the consequences of cybercrime firsthand every day, and it’s clear that the risks are rising.

People click on links that appear to have come from their bank. They respond to urgent messages that seem to be legitimate. Some unknowingly reveal sensitive personal data. Others lose hard-earned savings they intended to use for gifts, travel or celebrations. At community banks like ours, we work tirelessly and invest heavily in systems to protect customers — but we cannot do the job alone.

This season, it’s essential that everyone take a few simple steps to safeguard themselves and their loved ones. One of the most effective defenses is turning on two-factor authentication for online accounts. It creates a security roadblock that makes it exponentially harder for criminals to break in. Shopping only with trusted retailers is equally important, and a quick glance at a URL before entering payment information can prevent a costly mistake. Fake ads and scam products continue to spread on social media, so it’s wise to pause before clicking on any “too good to be true” deal or anything urging you to “act fast.”

We’re also seeing criminals evolve. They’re no longer relying solely on suspicious emails. They’re impersonating banks through phone calls, texts, emails and even QR codes. These messages and calls can sound completely credible. But the safest path is simple: if you receive a surprise alert about your account, disconnect and call your bank directly using the verified number on the back of your card or on the institution’s official website. Caller ID, unfortunately, is no longer a reliable indicator of authenticity. Spoofing tools can make a scammer’s phone call look like it’s coming from a legitimate bank line.

The same caution applies to online offers. Be skeptical of job postings that ask for money upfront, charities you’ve never heard of, or social media sellers with no history or established reputation. And when dealing with anything sensitive — from financial details to account logins — always initiate the communication yourself. Never rely on links or phone numbers someone else provides in an unsolicited message.

Banks have strengthened their defenses dramatically. Real-time monitoring tools can spot unusual activity in seconds. AI-based systems detect patterns of fraud long before customers notice something is wrong. Banks share information to identify new fraud schemes quickly and our operations team is continuously looking to recognize emerging threats.

Yet many of the biggest threats are originating outside the financial system. Social media has become a major source of fraud. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok are saturated with misleading ads, bogus sellers and impersonation schemes. And another troubling trend continues to rise: scammers directing victims, especially older Americans, to crypto ATMs. Research shows more than 90% of deposits made at these machines are linked to fraud, with the average victim being 71 years old.

Telecom loopholes are another troubling problem — they allow criminals to obtain access and spoof legitimate phone numbers with almost zero oversight. Becoming a telecom provider today requires a couple of hundred dollars and almost no verification, and regulators simply do not have the authority or tools they need to shut down bad actors effectively. That’s a huge gap that puts consumers at risk.

The truth is simple: protecting people from fraud requires teamwork — from banks, telecom companies, tech platforms, regulators and consumers themselves. Legislators must also be aware of this shifting landscape and find ways to protect consumers with policy that increases oversight of telecoms and social media platforms. No one organization can carry the full burden. But together, we can fight these threats more effectively.

So, as you welcome the holidays and sip on your pumpkin spice lattes, take a moment before you click, buy, share, or respond. Talk openly with your relatives, especially older family members, about how today’s scams work. And remember: if something feels even slightly off, take the time to verify.

Let’s make this holiday season joyful — and safe. You can find helpful tips at banksneveraskthat.com.

Dan Gaulke is president and CEO of Yakima Federal Savings Bank, which has four branches in the Tri-Cities area.