Protect yourself from social engineering scams with these essential tips:

* Be cautious of all unsolicited messages, regardless of the platform - email, phone, chat, or social media.

* Messages that try to scare you or create a sense of urgency are likely fake and should be treated with suspicion.

* Legitimate companies, including crypto exchanges and security providers, won't call you unexpectedly to modify your security settings.

* Never install software, especially remote access tools like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, based on instructions from an unknown source.

* When in doubt, pause and verify by seeking a second opinion from someone you trust before taking any action.