Recognizing an email phishing attack is the best way to defeat this type of fraud.
While never opening a phishing email is the best way to secure your computer, even the most experienced email user will occasionally accidentally open up a phishing email. Recognizing an email is the best defense for preventing your personal information from being stolen or you being lured into their trap.
Phishing is typically carried out by email or instant messaging, and it often directs users to enter details into a fake website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one. Usually the phishing email asks for you to click on a link in order to confirm your banking information or password, but it may just ask you to reply to the email with your personal information. Never click on an email link. Always type the bank's web address into your internet browser to see if it is legitimate.
Whatever form the phishing attempt takes, the goal is to fool you into entering your information into something, which appears to be safe and secure, but is in fact just a dummy site set up by the scammer. If you provide the phisher with personal information, he will use that information to try to steal your identity and your money.
Signs of a Phishing Email
- Logo look distorted or stretched.
- Refers to you as "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" rather than including your actual name. Phishing is usually emailed in bulk and does not contain your first or last name.
- Warns you that an account of yours will be shut down unless you reconfirm your billing information immediately.
- Threatens that legal action or legal processes have started.
- Comes from an account similar to, but not the same as, the one you are used to seeing.
- Contains claims about "Security Compromises" or "Security Threats" and requires immediate action by you.
- Usually asks for you to "update" or "validate" your account promptly.
- Often threatens some dire consequence if you do not respond, or a reward for providing information.
Do not reply to a phishing email, even if it appears urgent and is demanding a response. If you suspect that an email is a phishing attempt, the best defense is to never open it. If however, you have already opened it, do not reply or click on any link in the email.
I Believe I've Been Phished. What's My Next Step?
1. If you receive an email claiming to be from First Robinson Savings Bank and you are unsure whether it is legitimate, immediately call First Robinson Savings Bank at 800-272-0212 and report your concerns or findings.
2. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov.
3. Place a fraud alert on your credit report with one of the following three major credit bureaus. Also request to review your credit report for suspicious activity because your credit report is available free each year from annualcreditreport.com according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
- Equifax: 1-888-766-0008
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289