Online Security

EMAIL FRAUD (“PHISHING”)

You may have experienced or read about recent incidents of unsolicited eMail messages masquerading as legitimate companies that deceive recipients into divulging confidential personal and financial information. This type of eMail solicitation is called “Phishing” (also referred to as “brand spoofing”). Phishing occurs when a consumer receives a deceptively-legitimate looking eMail from what appears to be a reputable company. Often “phishing” spam messages will use legitimate ‘From:’ eMail addresses, logos and links of reputable businesses in the message. But the message instructs you to click on a web link that sends you to a fake website where you are asked to provide personal information to the scam artists. Such sites will ask for information such as your name, address, phone number, date of birth, Social Security Number (SSN), Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), passwords, and bank or credit card account number. Providing this kind of information can leave consumers at risk for identity theft.

HOW TO HELP PROTECT YOURSELF ONLINE

There are ways in which you can help protect yourself when shopping online and from fraudulent eMails (phishing attempts) claiming to be from a bank, credit card company or other popular internet web site that requests your personal or banking information.

• USE ONLY SECURE INTERNET BROWSERS THAT ALLOW SECURE TRANSMISSION OF DATA. Be sure to identify security clues such as the ‘closed lock’ icon at the bottom of the browser or a URL that begins with https://. These signs indicate that only you and the merchant can view payment information.
• ONLY GIVE CARD DETAILS WHEN YOU INITIATE A PURCHASE.
• BEFORE MAKING A PURCHASE, CHECK THE SITE’S DELIVERY AND RETURN POLICIES TO ENSURE THAT ITEMS CAN BE RETURNED IF THEY ARE NOT IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION.
• KEEP A RECORD OF TRANSACTIONS AND REVIEW MONTHLY STATEMENTS THOROUGHLY.
• NEVER RESPOND TO AN EMAIL REQUEST FOR PERSONAL OR ACCOUNT INFORMATION, EVEN IF IT APPEARS TO BE FROM A TRUSTED SOURCE.
• IF YOU RECEIVE AN EMAIL PRETENDING TO BE FROM A MEMBER OF FIRST UNITED BANK THAT ASKS FOR PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION, DO NOT REPLY OR CLICK ON THE LINK IN THE EMAIL. First United Bank will never send you an eMail asking for confidential information such as account numbers, passwords, PIN numbers, credit card numbers or Social Security Numbers. To ensure that the eMail is legitimate, contact us immediately.
• DELETE UNSOLICITED EMAILS THAT ASK FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION. If you suspect you have provided confidential information to a fraudulent site, contact the customer service number on the back of your card or your account statement.
• ALWAYS ENTER FIRST UNITED BANK’S WEBSITE USING YOUR BOOKMARKS OR ANY OF OUR PUBLISHED URLS.
• REVIEW YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REGULARLY FOR UNAUTHORIZED OR SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS.
• NEVER SEND PERSONAL AND/OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION VIA UNSECURED EMAIL.

COMMON CENTS

CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES