Phishing
Phishing is a type of scam where criminals impersonate trusted organizations, like banks, government agencies, or well-known companies, to trick you into revealing personal or financial information.
These attacks often come in the form of:
- Emails
- Text messages (SMS, “smishing”)
- Phone calls (“vishing”)
- Fake websites or pop-ups
Phishing messages often urge you to take quick action, click a link, log in, provide account info, or confirm a charge you didn’t make.
Look for these red flags:
| Urgent or Threatening Language | “Your account will be suspended!” or “Immediate action required.” |
| Spelling or Grammar Errors | Messages that look “off” or poorly written. |
| Suspicious Links | Hover over links – do they match the bank’s real website? |
| Requests for Sensitive Info | Legitimate banks won’t ask for your password, PIN, or Social Security number via email or text. |
| Unexpected Attachments | Never open attachments you weren’t expecting. |
| Unusual Sender Address | Look closely: support@yourbank.com vs. support@yourbank.secure-update.com |
Protect Yourself from Phishing
– Never share personal information in response to unexpected messages.
– Use strong, unique passwords and update them regularly.
– Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
– Keep your browser and security software up to date.
– Always type the bank’s URL directly into your browser—never follow a link from a message.
– Bookmark the bank’s official login page for easy, safe access.
