Members: Please Beware
of Phishing/Identity Theft
Thousands upon thousands are falling victim to
a real, growing Internet-based threat: Phishing.
Phishing occurs when you receive an e-mail either
asking you on the spot or directing you to a web
site that asks for personal, confidential information.
Most people should know not to give personal information
to just anyone – especially over the Internet.
But, what “Phishers” do is disguise
themselves and/or their e-mail as a company or
entity that needs your specific information. Some
Phishers claim to be government agencies, electronic
payment services, and financial institutions –
even us!
How Does “Phishing” Work?
The fraudster sends you an e-mail falsely claiming
to be from a legitimate company in hopes that
you will reply directly or click a link that takes
you to a "spoof" website. The spoofed
website mimics a legitimate website for the sole
purpose of stealing your personal information.
They typically look/ask for:
- Password or PINs
- Social Security Numbers
- Financial Insitution Account Number(s)
- ATM/Debit or Credit Card number(s)
- Credit card validation (CCV) code
Even if you don’t provide what they’re
asking for, simply clicking the link could subject
you to background installations of key logging
software. Key logging software can record every
keystroke on your computer and collect information
such as:
- User ID’s
- PINs and Passwords
- Account Numbers
- Other sensitive information
How To Recognize “Phishing”
- Urgent appeals. Frequently, these e-mails
claim that your account may be closed if you
fail to confirm, verify or authenticate your
personal information immediately.
- Request for security information. Fraudulent
e-mails often claim that the financial institution
has lost important security information that
needs to be updated. They may also request that
the user visit and update this information online.
- Typos and other errors. Fraudulent e-mails
or websites may obtain typographical or grammatical
errors. The writing may also be awkward, stilted
or inappropriate. The visual or design quality
may be poor.
Southeastern FCU Members: Protect Yourself
from Identity Theft
Identity Theft (like Phishing) occurs when someone
steals your personal information (such as your
account or social security number) and uses it
to obtain credit in your name and charge things
they have no intention of ever paying back. Before
you know it, your credit report can show you 3-4
times more in debt than you realized, payments
that are months, if not years, late, and you in
connection with businesses you might not want
association with.
Southeastern FCU considers Identity Theft a serious
threat. We continuously monitor our security procedures
to protect you and your accounts. But, total security
is possible only through you.
Steps to Prevent Identity Theft
- Never give personal information to anyone
over the phone or Internet unless you initiate
the contact. Always confirm the validity of
requests for any personal information requested
of you. Call the company directly with the phone
number listed on your account/billing statement.
- Make sure the security features on your computer,
web browser, etc. are up-to-date. If you conduct
any business over the Internet, it would be
wise to invest in a firewall and good security
software.
- Keep backup records of all your financial
transactions and statements.
- Destroy any unused financial solicitations,
statements, or receipts before discarding them.
- Report any lost or stolen checks and/or credit
cards immediately.
- Never give out your ATM PIN number and treat
your receipts with care.
- Get a copy of your credit report at least
once a year.
If you ever become a victim of Identity Theft,
take the following action steps immediately:
- Contact us and any other financial institution
you use to protect your accounts.
- Contact your debit/credit card suppliers.
- C ontact the Social Security Fraud hotline
at (800) 269-0271.
- Contact the FTC Identity Theft Hotline at
(877) 438-4338.
Go
to www.stopidentitytheft.org
for a complete “Victim’s Checklist.”
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