WHAT IS PHISHING?

Phishing attacks are spoofed emails and fraudulent websites designed to fool recipients into divulging personal financial data such as credit card numbers, account user names and passwords, social security numbers, etc. By hijacking the trusted brands of well-known financial institutions, online retailers and credit card companies, phishers are able to convince up to 5% of recipients to respond to them.

How To Avoid Phishing Scams

• Always be suspicious of email with urgent requests for personal financial information. We will never ask for personal or financial information via unsecured email.
• Never click on a link in email if you suspect the authenticity of the message. Instead, open your browser and key in the web address of the institution with which you wish to interact.
• Always ensure that you are using a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your Web browser.
• Regularly log into your online accounts and check your financial institution credit and debit card statements to make sure that all transactions are legitimate.
• Make sure that your computer is protected by installing, configuring, and keeping current the following crucial components:
  1. operating system and software patches;
  2. anti-virus and anti-spyware software; and,
  3. a firewall.
• Always report “phishing” or “spoofed” emails to the following groups:
  • The anti-phishing network at: reportphishing@antiphishing.org
  • The Federal Trade Commission at: www.consumer.gov/idtheft
  • The Internet Fraud Complaint Center of the FBI by filing a complaint on their website: www.ic3.gov