Rotary Club of Murphy Hosts Expert on Identity Scams and Fraud

The Rotary Club of Murphy welcomed Rotary Member Harry Heist as a guest speaker on Monday, March 3, 2025. Heist delivered a comprehensive presentation on current scams and fraudulent activities that put community members at risk of identity theft and financial loss.

During his presentation, Heist highlighted several prevalent schemes targeting unsuspecting individuals, including:

• Phone call scams claiming missed jury duty that demand immediate payment

• "Grandparent scams" where fraudsters pose as relatives in distress needing financial assistance

• Sophisticated phishing emails disguised as legitimate communications from financial institutions

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Heist emphasized the growing dangers of using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, particularly in high-traffic locations such as airports. He provided attendees with practical strategies to protect their personal information, including:

• Limiting digital footprints while using public internet connections

• Implementing strong password protection on all devices

• Screening calls from unknown numbers

• Verifying the authenticity of communications before responding

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The presentation was part of the Rotary Club's ongoing commitment to community education and protection.

"Our members found Mr. Heist's presentation extremely valuable," said Jacqueline Egli, President of the Rotary Club of Murphy. "As technology evolves, so do the tactics of those looking to steal personal information. This kind of educational outreach is essential for keeping our community safe."