Don’t Take the Bait: How to Spot and Avoid Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it more important than ever to know how to recognize the warning signs and protect your personal and financial information.
Phishing occurs when a scammer pretends to be a trusted organization or individual – such as your credit union, a government agency, a delivery service or even someone you know – to convince you to reveal sensitive information. These scams can arrive by email, text message, phone call or even through social media.
Know the Warning Signs
While phishing attempts can look convincing, there are often clues that something isn’t right. Be cautious if a message:
- Creates a sense of urgency or threatens consequences if you don’t act immediately.
- Asks for passwords, PINs, verification codes or other sensitive information.
- Contains unexpected links or attachments.
- Claims there is a problem with your account and asks you to “verify” your information.
- Promises a prize, refund or financial rewards that seems too good to be true.
- Comes from an email address or phone number that doesn’t match the organization it claims to represent.
Scammers may also use information they find online to make their messages seem more personal and legitimate. A familiar logo, company name or even personal details do not necessarily mean a message is trustworthy.
Stop. Think. Verify.
If you receive a suspicious message, don’t click the link, open the attachment or respond with personal information.
Instead, contact the organization directly using a phone number or website you already know and trust. Never rely solely on the contact information included in a suspicious message.
And remember: Never share a one-time passcode or verification code with somebody who contacts you unexpectedly. These codes are designed to protect your account, and a legitimate representative should not need you to provide one so they can “secure” your account.
What If You Already Clicked?
If you believe you responded to a phishing attempt or provided financial information to a scammer, act quickly. Change any potentially compromised passwords, monitor your accounts for suspicious activity and contact your financial institution as soon as possible.
The sooner suspicious activity is reported, the sooner steps can be taken to help protect your accounts.
Stay Alert and Protect Your Information
Fraudsters rely on urgency, fear and distraction to get people to act before they have time to think. Taking a few extra moments to verify a message can make all the difference.
At Generations Federal Credit Union, protecting our members is a priority. If something involving your account doesn’t seem right, contact us directly before taking action.
When it comes to phishing, remember three simple words: Stop. Think. Verify.
Your personal and financial information is valuable. Treat every unexpected request for it with caution.