There has been a lot of concern over phishing scams
here in the Islands lately...
members of a number of local financial institutions have
apparently been the targets of phishing ploys in recent
weeks.
Phishing Defined:
Phishing is a form of Internet fraud that aims to steal
your valuable information...credit card numbers...social security numbers...user IDs and passwords...
etc. A fake
Website is created and an email is sent to you
requesting that you access the fake Website, which will
look just like the Website of your financial
institution, and enter your personal details. The
submitted information goes to the operators of the
fraudulent Website.
What can you do?
While it is common for companies to send email messages
with links to their Websites, it is highly unlikely that
they will send you an email message requesting that you
enter your personal information. So, you should view any
such message as a possible fraud attempt.
-
Just Don't Do It!
As a general rule, if you ever receive an email message
asking you to click a link and supply private
information...no matter how official looking the email
appears...just delete it.
-
Access your Financial Institution's Website(s)
directly.
Go to financial Websites by typing the address in the
browser for yourself, not by clicking a link in an
email.
-
Make sure you are accessing the Website securely.
 Look
for the padlock icon in the bottom right-hand side of
your browser window when you are at the log-in area of a
financial Website (not the Website in general, but the
log-in page). This padlock means you are accessing the
site securely. Phishing sites generally do not use such
security. The padlock is no guarantee that the site your
are at is not a phishing site, but
never enter private information unless
this lock is present.
Following these three steps will go a LONG way in
keeping your information safe from those who are trying
to get it fraudulently.
If you receive any suspicious emails that you believe
may be fraudulent or an attempt at phishing please
contact your Financial Institution directly.
Be aware and be safe.
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