Which of the following is least effective at preventing fraud?

• A. Shredding documents with personal data
• B. Using two-factor authentication
• C. Regularly updating passwords
• D. Writing passwords on a sticky note and leaving it visible

Answer: (D)

Keeping passwords visible on a sticky note is the least effective way to prevent fraud because it makes sensitive credentials easy for anyone nearby to see and use. When a password is written down and left in plain sight, a thief, a curious colleague, or even a passerby can gain access without needing to guess or crack anything, which bypasses the protections that come from password secrecy. In contrast, shredding documents with personal data removes physical copies that could be stolen, two-factor authentication adds a second hurdle so logging in requires something you have in addition to something you know, and regularly updating passwords reduces the window of opportunity if a password has been compromised. Together, those practices create layered security that dramatically lowers the risk of account takeover and fraud, whereas a sticky note leaves a clear, easy path for fraud to occur.