Phishing and Pharming: Stay Alert and Secure
Identity theft is a growing concern, with over ten million Americans projected to become victims this year alone. Phishing, a common tactic used by criminals, involves sending emails that appear to come from legitimate financial institutions to trick you into revealing personal and financial information. Similarly, pharming is a technique where fraudulent emails contain viruses. These can redirect you to fake websites, even if you type in a real domain name, or capture your keystrokes to steal your login details.
To protect yourself from phishing and pharming scams, follow these tips:
- Avoid clicking on links within emails.
- Be wary of emails that do not use ".com" domain names.
- Check for website security before entering any information.
- Keep your internet browsers and operating systems up to date.
- Disregard emails or pop-ups requesting personal or financial data.
- Examine your bank and credit card statements promptly for any discrepancies.
- Inform your bank and the Federal Trade Commission of any dubious activities.
There is no perfect solution to completely eliminate the threat of these scams, but vigilance is key. If you're ever in doubt or suspect foul play, reach out to us immediately.
And remember, 1st Colonial Community Bank will never request your personal information via email.
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