Ask the Experts - Outsmarting the Scammers

In today's digital landscape, protecting your business requires far more than basic antivirus software. Cyber criminals increasingly target the human element through sophisticated business email compromise, credential theft, and emerging AI-driven impersonation tactics. This practical session breaks down how these modern schemes operate, key warning signs to watch for before money moves, and essential verification protocols for company accounts. Join fraud prevention specialists from 1st Security Bank to learn actionable defense strategies that harden your everyday operations and protect your bottom line. The Experts: Justin Gordon is a Cybersecurity Specialist at 1st Security Bank, where he protects commercial and consumer clients through threat remediation, incident response, and IT governance. Holding a master’s degree in information systems and 11 years of financial cybersecurity experience, he brings deep expertise in fraud prevention, vulnerability defense, and safeguarding business systems. Michael Hollingsworth is a Certified Treasury Professional at 1st Security Bank, bringing more than 20 years of banking expertise to business and commercial clients. Specializing in treasury management and cash-flow solutions, he provides practical guidance on payment verification protocols, asset protection, and defending organizations against commercial financial fraud. Ask the Experts is a series of monthly workshops aimed at educating people on crucial workplace topics. Thanks to the generosity of 1st Security Bank, the Ask the Experts program is offered free of charge to the entire Tri-Cities business community. Each session features local professionals who have demonstrated expertise in the featured monthly topic and are willing to share what they have learned, as well as answer questions from participants. Ask the Experts is offered in hybrid format on the third Tuesday of every month from 3 - 4:30 p.m. - in-person in the boardroom at the Tri-Cities Business and Visitor Center building (with light refreshments), as well as live on Zoom. The session can be viewed on demand on YouTube.