While technology is improving each day, scammers are improving their skills to hack your life right under your nose. Reports show phone scams are down while text and email schemes are rising. Have you noticed text messages coming through your phone from USPS or Amazon asking you to verify your information? Or maybe you’ve received messages asking you to click the link because your package could not be delivered due to an address error. Well those text messages are more than likely a scam to get your personal information. It seems everywhere we shop merchants want our email address and phone number. We have become so accustomed to providing this information to the point it’s become our second nature when purchasing items. This is something we need to be mindful of due to multiple companies who have had their data leaked in the past. Banks, retail stores and insurance companies have all been victims of a data breach. There are even fraudulent toll companies sending emails and text messages to drivers claiming they have unpaid toll bills while requesting a payment be made. In addition, some people have also been scammed by fake employers. These scammers post “work from home” jobs online hoping someone will fall for it. With so many people wanting a “work from home” job they are gravitating towards these job posts and providing sensitive information. While there is always a small chance of being scammed it’s imperative to refrain from giving out your personal information. Even if it’s as simple as an email address. When doing business, always ask why certain information is needed before freely giving it away. Taking simple safety measures can prevent you from becoming a victim of fraud.