Security Tips

Online Security Tips Beware of Phishing Attempts and Internet Scams

Phishing (fishing) is a social engineering technique often used by criminals to trick individuals into providing personal information such as: Debit card numbers, account numbers, Social Security numbers, access IDs and passcodes. 

Phishing may be performed over the telephone through SMS texting or through email and redirection to a fraudulent website that appears to look just like a legitimate site.

Some of these fraudulent websites and even compromised legitimate sites may be virus laden and can be used to download malicious software (also known as mal-ware or crimeware) to your computer. Below we have listed a few tips to help protect your personal information on the Internet: 

• Always be wary of any email requesting your personal information: such as your account number, Debit card number, PIN number, or social security number. 
• Do not click on links or download attachments in email unless you are expecting the email. 
• Bookmark financial websites and use these bookmarks every time you visit the website.
• Whenever you enter personal information on a website always look for the lock symbol, or https: in the address bar. Always click on the lock symbol and review the certificate details. 
• Keep your Internet browser and computer operating systems updated! Most browsers now offer free anti-phishing tool bars that can help alert you of fraudulent websites. 
• Always use anti-virus and anti-spam software and keep it updated. 
• Change passwords to your online accounts regularly. 
• If you frequently surf the Internet, consider using a dedicated computer strictly for online banking. 
• If you receive an e-mail that you think could be a scam, social engineering, or a phishing attempt, delete it immediately.
• If you send us an email, please do not include any confidential, personal, or sensitive information in the email message, as email messages are not secure. We do offer secure messaging through our Online Banking service, and you may use this secure messaging feature if you need to send us sensitive or confidential information.