As technology continues to advance, so do the tactics of cyber criminals. One such tactic is known as phishing, which involves tricking individuals into providing personal information, such as passwords or social security numbers. It’s important to understand the signs of a phishing attempt to protect your personal information from fraud.
Here are 5 signs of a phishing attempt to be aware of:
- Suspicious emails or messages
- Phishing attempts often come in the form of emails, text messages, or social media messages that appear to be from a legitimate source. These messages may contain a sense of urgency or fear, urging the recipient to act quickly. Be wary of any messages requesting personal information or providing links to login pages.
- Non-personalized greetings
- Phishing emails are often sent out in bulk, meaning they are not personalized to the recipient. Be cautious of any emails or messages that do not include your name or account number.
- Typos and errors
- Phishing emails often contain typos or grammatical errors, indicating that they were not carefully crafted. If an email contains errors or doesn’t look quite right, it may be a red flag.
- Suspicious links
- Phishing emails often contain links that lead to fake login pages or other fraudulent websites. Hover over the link without clicking on it to see where it leads. If it appears suspicious, do not click on it.
- Requests for personal information
- A legitimate financial institution will never ask for personal information such as passwords, social security numbers, or account numbers through an email or message. If an email or message requests this information, it is likely a phishing attempt.
As a community bank, Bank of Hillsboro takes the security of our customers’ personal information seriously. We recommend that customers be vigilant and aware of these signs of phishing attempts to protect themselves from fraud. If you receive a suspicious email or message, do not click on any links or provide any personal information. Instead, contact us directly to report the incident and verify any requests for information. Together, we can work to keep your accounts and personal information safe from cyber criminals.