Fraud is an ever-present threat in today’s digital world. Whether it’s email scams, identity theft, or financial fraud, cybercriminals are always adapting their tactics to exploit individuals and organizations. Joe Ruskey, a cybersecurity expert and Rotarian from La Crosse, Wisconsin, knows this all too well.

While completely stopping fraudsters is impossible, Joe emphasizes that there are effective ways to slow them down and reduce the damage they can cause. His approach? Education, verification, and proactive security measures.

How Can We Minimize Fraud?

According to Joe, the key question we should all ask ourselves is:

“How can we slow fraud down as much as possible or make sure that when it does happen, it’s not as much of a disaster?”

While we may never eliminate fraud completely, being prepared can make all the difference. That means staying vigilant and building layers of protection into our daily digital interactions.

Key Fraud Prevention Strategies

Joe has shared his expertise with Rotary clubs and community organizations, helping them understand how to recognize and prevent scams. His key recommendations include:

1️⃣ Always Verify Contacts

🔹 Double-check emails, phone calls, and messages. Fraudsters often impersonate colleagues, friends, or organizations you trust.

🔹 If a request for money or sensitive information feels unusual, confirm it through a separate communication channel. Call the person directly rather than replying to the email or message.

2️⃣ Vet Requests for Donations

🔹 Scammers often pose as charities, especially during crises or natural disasters.

🔹 Before donating, research the organization and ensure your money is going to a legitimate cause.

3️⃣ Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

🔹 A strong password isn’t enough anymore. MFA requires an additional verification step (such as a text message or authentication app) to log in.

🔹 Enable MFA for your financial accounts, business communications, and sensitive platforms to add an extra layer of security.

4️⃣ Be Aware of Social Engineering Tactics

🔹 Cybercriminals don’t just hack computers—they hack people.

🔹 Many fraudsters spend time observing how you communicate, learning names, nicknames, and internal workflows. This makes their scams appear more legitimate.

🔹 Be cautious of urgent or unusual requests—even if they appear to come from someone you trust.

Nobody is Too Small to Be a Target

One of the biggest misconceptions about cyber fraud is that only big corporations or wealthy individuals are targeted. Joe Ruskey warns that scammers go after everyone.

“You have to understand that nobody is too small. They’re coming after everybody. They’re coming after you because you’ve got very valuable data.”

Whether you’re an individual, a small business, or a nonprofit, your data is valuable—and cybercriminals know it. That’s why every person and organization should take fraud prevention seriously.

Final Thoughts: Stay Aware, Stay Secure

Fraud isn’t going away, but we can fight back with awareness, education, and strong security habits. Joe Ruskey’s message is clear: If we take the right precautions, we can significantly reduce the impact of cyber threats.

Take Action Today:

✅ Verify before you trust – Don’t fall for urgent or suspicious requests.

✅ Strengthen your security – Enable MFA and use strong passwords.

✅ Educate yourself and others – Fraud prevention is a shared responsibility.

By taking these steps, we can slow down fraudsters and protect ourselves, our businesses, and our communities. Let’s stay vigilant and keep our networks safe!