Phishing

Scammers give themselves away if you know what to look for. Train yourself to spot these common warning signs of phishing emails and texts attempting to steal your credentials.

Red Flags to Watch For:

1. The Sender's Address Looks "Off": Look for slight misspellings (e.g., service@microsott.com). A real company won't use a @gmail.com address.
2. The Greeting is Vague: Generic salutations like "Dear Valued Customer" instead of your actual name.
3. Poor Spelling and Grammar: Obvious mistakes and awkward phrasing are huge red flags.
4. Urgent or Threatening Action: Creating a false sense of panic (e.g., "Your account has been compromised! Click here IMMEDIATELY").
5. Unexpected Attachments or Links: Hover your mouse over links; if the destination URL doesn't match the context, it's a scam.
6. Requests for Sensitive Info: Your bank will never email asking for your password or Social Security number.

How to Proactively Protect Yourself:

• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This is the single most effective defense against phishing.
• Think Before You Click: Make it a habit to pause and critically examine every email.
• Go Directly to the Source: Do not click the link; type the bank's website address into your browser yourself.

If You've Been Hooked:

• Disconnect the compromised device from the internet.
• Change your passwords immediately on a separate, trusted device.
• Contact your bank or financial institutions to report the fraud.