Protecting Yourself from Scams
At Farm Credit of Florida, we strive to assist our members in protecting their personal and financial information. Recently, we've been informed about an increase in phishing texts targeting our members.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of internet theft where criminals "fish" for your personal financial information. They seek account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential details to steal from your checking account or run up charges on your credit cards.
With sensitive information obtained from a phishing scam, thieves can take out loans or obtain credit cards in your name, damaging your financial history and personal reputation. Understanding how phishing works and how to protect yourself can help stop this crime.
Recognize the Red Flags:
- Deceptive Texts or Emails: You may receive a message that appears to come from a reputable company you recognize, such as your financial institution, or even a government agency.
- Urgent Demands: The message will likely warn you of a serious problem requiring immediate attention, using phrases like "Immediate attention required" or "Please contact us immediately about your account."
- Phony Websites: The message will encourage you to click a link to the financial institution’s website. In a phishing scam, this link may redirect you to a fake website that looks identical to the real one. Sometimes, a pop-up window on the actual website will appear, asking for your financial information.
Unsolicited Requests: You may be asked to update your account information or provide verification details such as your Social Security number, account number, password, or other identifying information. Providing this information can lead to identity theft.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be Skeptical: Never provide personal information in response to an unsolicited request, whether over the phone or the internet. Phishing emails and websites can look very convincing, even displaying fake padlock icons to denote a secure site.
- Check Links: Never click on links in emails or texts you believe are fraudulent, as they may contain viruses.
- Verify Contacts: If you believe the contact may be legitimate, reach out to the financial institution yourself using contact information from your monthly statements or by looking up the company independently.
- Guard Your Password: Never provide your password over the phone or in response to an unsolicited internet request. Legitimate institutions, like Farm Credit of Florida, will never ask you to verify your password online or over the phone.
Monitor Accounts: Regularly review your account statements to ensure all charges are correct. If your statement is late, contact your financial institution. If you use internet banking, check your statements frequently to catch suspicious activities.
What to Do if You Are an Identity Theft Victim:
Contact your financial institution immediately and alert them to the situation. If you have disclosed sensitive information in a phishing attack, contact one of the three major credit bureaus to discuss placing a fraud alert on your file, which can help prevent thieves from opening new accounts in your name. Report suspicious emails or calls to the Federal Trade Commission at consumer.gov/idtheft or 1.877.IDTHEFT.