Take9

🚨Listen to Talia's story about a scam that is catching people every day. Watch and make sure it doesn’t happen to you!

AI overviews offer quick answers, but scammers are planting fake info (like phony support numbers) to game the system. 🕵️‍♀️

Outsmart the bots:

✋ Pause and Take9.
🔎 Verify the details via the company’s own website.

🍪 To help you be be a cyber smart cookie, every cybersecurity professional wants to leave you with this crumb of advice:

Using unique, long passwords is key to protecting your accounts.

QR code scams are on the rise. Here’s how to spot the red flags:

🚩Jumbled URL? If the link preview looks like nonsense, don't tap.
🚩Early ask? If it demands a password or card immediately, close the tab!
🚩Patch job? If it looks like a QR sticker is layered over the original code, don't scan it.

If your boss sends an urgent request, do this:
✋ Pause. Scammers love a rush.
💬 Don't reply! Contact them on a separate app to verify.

🗣️Oversharing is for group chats, NOT random apps! What’s one in-app permission you want to restrict? Ours is contacts… why would our birdwatching app need those?

AI attacks have more than doubled since last year. Scammers are using AI to get personal, but we’re not playing their game. 🚫

⬇️ Remember these 2️⃣ moves to stay one step ahead.

✅ Check the vibe: If it feels urgent, it’s likely a scam.
✅ Level up security: Use multi-factor authentication or passkeys.

Your valentine might steal your heart this Valentine’s Day, but with the help of a passkey, online scammers won’t be able to steal your personal data.

#ValentinesDay #Love

The last thing you want to deal with in a power outage is a scammer!

Utility SCAMMERS may:
❄️ Request your personal information
❄️ Offer to “reimburse” you for the power outage

Utility COMPANIES won’t:
❄️ Request payment to restore your power
❄️ Call unless you report an issue

2026 is the year of the… software update! Amira, Take9’s very own cybersecurity expert, explains why in the first episode of our “Be a Cyber Smart Cookie” series ▶️

‼️Phishing scams are more common over holiday weekends.

Scammers THINK it’s harder for companies to detect their tricks while staff is OOO.

Your brain 🧠 can outsmart scams 365 days a year. Before you click weird links, Take 9 seconds to pause and think first.

Real talk. Did you know a passkey can help protect you from identity theft?

Passkey logins use a fingerprint, Face ID, or saved PIN to help make your personal info harder for someone to steal. This Identity Theft Awareness Week, set up a passkey to keep your info secure!

Scammers wish they were you 🫶 and they’ll do anything to get access to your personal info.

Don’t fall for their fake “reset” emails. Just ignore them. 💅

THEN go into your account settings and turn on two-factor authentication.

Moment of silence for the scam. 🪦

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) lets YOU protect your logins… and your peace!

Pro Tip: While a text code is the easiest, using a third-party authenticator app like Microsoft Authenticator or Authy offers more security against common text scams.

Craiglist’s founder has some simple rules for not losing your mind—or money—on the internet Craig Newmark’s ‘Take9’ campaign asks people to pause nine seconds before reacting online.

Want to be like Craig? Do what he does: Take 9 seconds before opening weird links. Our very own @craignewmark.bsky.social sat down with @fastcompany.com to talk all things cyber… ⬇️⬇️ https://www.fastcompany.com/91467939/craigslist-founder-craig-newmark-security-password-manager

2026 Resolution: Protect yourself and your data online!

Pause and Take 9 seconds before clicking on a suspicious link or a scammy popup to protect yourself against online frauds and scams.

Use the momentum of the new year to boost your digital defenses with quick, easy actions like:

Turning on Multi-Factor-Authentication

Setting up a password manager

Deleting online accounts you don’t use

FBI Flags Rising Holiday Scams Spreading Across Email, Social, and Web - TechRepublic The FBI warns holiday scammers are hitting email, social media, fake sites, delivery alerts, and calls, with new data showing losses and complaints rising.

Fake retail sites and phone calls from individuals posing as customer service agents commonly target consumers during the holiday season.

Read more 👉 www.techrepublic.com/article/news...

🚩 A new Mastercard survey found 48% of shoppers would ignore security red flags for a deep discount, and 72% still buy from unfamiliar sites, even when they believe they’re being cautious.

🚨 Heads up! There’s a new scam for you to outsmart.

According to the FBI, scammers are sending texts that claim they’ve kidnapped loved ones. They’ll send photos or videos that look real and demand immediate payment. Don’t panic, and don’t get fooled!

Picture a scammer… chances are, you’re not picturing AI!

Last week, Take9 and craigslist founder @craignewmark.bsky.social spoke on the @politico.com Tech podcast about how AI can make (or identify!) a convincing scam. Next time you see something suspicious, pause and Take 9 seconds to think first.

In ✅: Protecting your personal information online
Out ❌: Falling for online frauds and scams

Craig and Eileen Newmark - The Giving Pledge

Today, Craig signed the Giving Pledge, furthering his commitment to important causes in the cybersecurity world and beyond. Thank you @craignewmark.bsky.social for your continued commitment to helping keep all of us safe online. 

Read his Pledge: givingpledge.org/pledger/craig-and-eileen-newmark/

Many may know Craig Newmark as the founder of craigslist, but at Take9 we know him as a cyber champion who has committed over $200 million dollars (and counting!) to helping empower Americans to take small steps to improve their own cybersecurity.

Don’t let the bots steal Christmas!

🎁 Verify deals you see on social media on the actual retailer's website
🎁 Be wary of random celebrity endorsements
🎁 If a deal seems too good to be true… it probably is!

Source: @axios.com

🚩Is that 80% discount on an iPhone 17 legit, or a major red flag?

As holiday shopping kicks off with Cyber Monday, remember to slow down before clicking! A 9-second pause can help identify fake websites, fraudulent promos, and deals that are too good to be true.

Learn more at the 🔗 in our bio.

Want to learn how to avoid scams while holiday shopping? 🎁

Girls Who Hack (@girlswhohack.bsky.social) founder Bianca Lewis (@biascilab.bsky.social) and DoSomething are hosting How to Catch a Scammer, a free online event on Friday, 11/21 at 7:00 PM ET.

👉 Register HERE: https://bit.ly/49TsBBE

Parents, does navigating today’s tech send you into a digital spiral?

Keeping kids safe online is hard, which is why we’re excited to share The Raising Digital Natives Toolkit – so you and your family can approach digital life safely.

Get your toolkit at raisingdigitalnatives.info

Cybersecurity is the Backbone of Democracy - GCA | Global Cyber Alliance | Working to Eradicate Cyber Risk Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue—it is fundamental to the survival of democratic systems. This panel explores the connection.

New habit: pause and #Take9 seconds to check suspicious links and pop-ups to protect yourself from online scams.

Smart habits keep everyone safer. More from the Newmark Civic Life series hosted by @92ndstreety.bsky.social 👉 bit.ly/3KM4YR4

Hot off the press 🔥 1 in 10 Americans have lost money from a scam attempt, according to the 2025 Consumer Cyber Readiness Report.