Custer Agency

IN THE NEWS - TUMWATER — A Puget Sound asbestos removal contractor is facing more than $200,000 in fines for knowingly exposing workers to extremely hazardous conditions while at the same time indicating to state inspectors that the site was perfectly safe.

Protect yourself from online fraud. It's Cyber Monday! Unfortunately, this is when the scammers and fraudsters find it the easiest.

Our team recommends following the tips below to shop safe online.

* Do not trust links within emails, even if the email and website look legit. If you know the online store, bookmark the site and go directly to it. This keeps you safe from phishing emails and realistic looking but fake online stores.

* Strong Passwords - Are your favorite online shopping store accounts secured with strong passwords? If it is a strong password, is it the same one used on several accounts? If it is, maybe you should change it this year. Or better yet, use a password manager such as 1Password or LastPass to generate secure passwords and save then so you don't have to worry about remembering it.

* Watch out for public Wi-Fi - shopping online while on the go can and does happen, but it's safer to use your data from your phone than the coffee house Wi-Fi. Leave the laptop home, or shop from home. Connections can be unencrypted and unsecured, leaving you open and vulnerable.

* Shop only with secured online sites - this means look for the padlock next to the url. A secure site displays HTTPS. Insecure is HTTP. The 's' and the padlock mean the site has an SSL Certificate (Secure Socket Layer) with encryption to keep data hidden from hackers.

Shop Smart and Enjoy the Holiday!

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺𝘀

Online scams are growing more sophisticated by the day—and even smart users can be tricked. Cybercriminals often impersonate banks or credit unions, creating realistic emails and fake websites that look nearly identical to the real thing.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿:
🚨Urgent messages asking you to “verify” or “confirm” your info
🚨Requests for credit card numbers, PINs, CVV codes, or login credentials
🚨Emails claiming they’re “updating the database” and need your help
🚨Links asking you to restore access or change your passcode

Even if a site looks legitimate, always check the URL. One wrong letter is all it takes to end up on a fraudulent site.

💡 Pro Tip: Never click on email links to access your online banking—type in the address directly or use a trusted app.

As a Boise-based private investigations firm, Custer Agency helps individuals and businesses protect themselves against fraud, theft, and cyber threats. If you suspect you’ve been targeted or need assistance with a fraud investigation, we’re here to help.

📞 Reach out to Custer Agency today and take proactive steps to protect what matters most: https://custeragency.com

Richland farm labor contractor faces more than $1 million in fines A news release from Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.