By Patrick Baron

PONTIAC – The Pontiac Police Chief is advising people to know what’s going on with their technology in order to avoid scammers.

A recent guest on the WJEZ Community Forum, Chief Jim Woolford said one important aspect of cyber security is making sure your devices and applications are up-to-date. He explained scammers and hackers try to prey on electronic devices that are behind on the times.

“Obsolete systems that aren’t updated anymore are less secure and there are people, 24 hours a day, that are working on exploits to everything out there,” Woolford said. “It’s important to make sure your devices are up-to-date.”

Wooldford says parents need to monitor their children’s online activity to make sure the websites and apps they’re using are safe and secure, particularly when it comes to social media. Woolford explained if someone does get scammed by a hacker across the seas, there’s not much law enforcement officers can do to help. He warns people not to fall victim to scams that seem outlandish.

“If you get emails or phone calls, just hang up. If it’s somebody important they’ll call back or they’ll find another way to get a hold of you,” said Woolford. “Odds are your grandson isn’t in jail in Canada – that’s a big one that we get. It’s that initial phone call ones that prey on the elderly and they prey on people who are unsuspecting.”

Woolford says if you receive an email from your bank saying policies have changed, go to the bank’s website and call them directly to get the correct information.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].