Top 10 Tips From The Cyber Security Seminar

The Millstone Twp. Dems. extends its sincere gratitude to Det. Dovid Kohn & Trooper William Morgan of the High-Tech Crime Bureau, Cyber Crimes Unit, for taking the time to come to educate us. 

The event was put together and coordinated by the MTDO, President, Ivette Fagundo and it was a resounding success. 

The closing message or first tip that we like to share with any of those that were unable to attend was “spread the word”, we can all take part in protecting our friends and family by sharing the valuable information that Det. Kohn and Trooper Morgan imparted upon us:

TIP 1) If it sounds too good to be true, it is probably not true. Do not accept any funds into your account from a source that you “know” from social media and that is offering a “commission” for passing a transaction along. There are sophisticated networks that are using innocent people as “mules”, the middle person on passing funds. The funds then go from a victim to the unknowing “mule” account and then transferred by the “mule” to the criminal, to an often-offshore account.  

TIP 2) No legitimate government or financial institution will rush you to deposit or transfer funds over the phone or ask you to go to an ATM to make a deposit. If you get a call like this hang up the phone and block them. 

TIP 3) Romance scams are abundant currently. They often target middle-aged women, but anyone can be a victim. The criminal will often start contact through social media, a shared interest group, ie. Pinterest, Facebook, etc. it can start with a complement, asking to share a recipe, etc. It may continue for a long period of time, during which trust is built from the victim. Then it can start with requests for small loans, that are initially paid back, until it escalates to significant funds, but by then the trust has been built and the victims comply because of this trust that has been built overtime. 

TIP 4) Beware of an online “friend” that is always available. Related to Tip 3), the criminals work in groups, they take shifts, therefore, if you message a “friend” at 3am and they respond within minutes, you are probably talking to a group, think of it as a farm of scammers.

TIP 5) Beware of the “supervisor”. If the person on the line quickly offers for you to talk to a supervisor, when you express skepticism, it is often a scam. 

TIP 6) There is no Customer Service Number for Meta, Facebook or Instagram: If you do a Google or Bing Search for these social media companies, numbers will show up, they are not real. DO NOT call them. 

TIP 7) It is safer to tap. Skimmers can be installed in any machine where a debit/credit card can be inserted or swiped. As of now, tapping appears to be the safer option, therefore, tap whenever possible. 

TIP 8) Use biometrics or face recognition whenever possible. If the platform allows for facial recognition or fingerprint, use it. It is safer than passwords or pin codes. 

TIP 9) Passwords should be unrelated to anything that can be known about you. Do not use the names of family members, pets, etc. Come up with passwords that are completely unrelated to you, have a minimal of 6 characters, have upper and lower cases, numbers and symbols.  Be careful where you store your passwords, it should be somewhere that you can reach it, but NOT on your phone’s notepad. Also, do not use the same password multiple times. 

TIP 10) Where to report if you become a victim. If you become a victim, you should start with your local police department. In Millstone, we are lucky because our local police are the Hamilton Barracks of the State Police and the Cyber Crime Unit is within walking distance.  Also, you can report to IC3.gov, which will take you to the FBI page for reporting and/or to NJCCIC, which is the New Jersey Cyber Crimes Integration Cell, which will report to the New Jersey State Police. 

BONUS TIP: Be careful with crypto currency. Never use the cryptocurrency machines that are being set up, they look like ATMs. These machines are being used for crypto crimes.

Spread the word, stay safe online and off. Happy Spring to everyone!

Read This: The New York Times weighs in on the NJ Governor Race

It's crucial to stay informed about the 2025 New Jersey Governor election, as the outcome will significantly impact the state's future policies, economy, and overall direction. With a new administration comes the potential for changes in critical areas such as education, healthcare, climate action, and taxes.

By understanding the key issues and the stances of the candidates, voters can make informed decisions that align with their values and the needs of their communities. The New York Times article linked below will offer valuable insight into the candidates' positions, providing a clear view of what each contender represents. This will help ensure that your vote supports the policies that will best shape New Jersey’s future for years to come.

As a New Jersey Congressional District 4 Constituent

Letter to the Editor:

As a District 4 constituent, I have contacted Congressman Smith’s office on two issues that impact women in New Jersey. Statistics show that 52 women a month are killed due to domestic abuse in America (more than any other developed nation), but Smith, along with many other congressmen, has refused to support expanded national universal background checks that would help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. He has also voted against the Violence Against Women Act.

Smith’s voting record on women’s healthcare has resulted in the shuttering of accessible neighborhood healthcare clinics necessitating expensive, long distance travel for women who care for sick children, elderly parents or themselves. Turning the clock back on reproductive rights increases the suffering of women when access to a safe abortion is removed, especially in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. Smith’s bill to block private insurance and flexible spending money from paying for birth control also impacts a couple’s right to plan for their family’s future and again causes undue financial burden.

In this election season, we have an opportunity to choose a forward-thinking candidate who will stand firm to help women on these issues, as well as increase aid in areas such as education, income equality, child welfare and social justice. After 36 years, District #4 deserves a representative who is interested in tackling head-on all the issues that pose a threat to our health and well-being.

Submitted by Rosalind Ressner
Millstone Township
609 259-9744
May 17, 2016