What is “Phishing”?
“Phishing” is a scam used by cyber criminals that pose as legitimate businesses or individuals sending fraudulent emails to falsely solicit personal or financial information. In some instances, the email will stress an urgency and may threaten you with a dire consequences such as legal action, fines or an account closing. On other occasions, the email may promise you something like a trip or money. The email encourages you to avoid these consequences or collect your prize by responding to the email or clicking a link within the email. By clicking on the link, the criminal hopes you will either provide the requested information, upload malware, be redirected to a “spoofed” website to then enter in your private information, or other malicious intent. Be suspicious of any email reque ting personal or financial information.
Ways to protect yourself from “Phishing” emails:
Requests for personal or financial information. Legitimate businesses won’t ask for this kind of information through an email. If you are concerned that it may be a real message, independently look up the organizations phone number in a phone book or through an online search and call to verify the message’s authenticity. Remember, Essex Savings Bank will never ask you for your personal financial information in an email.
Be cautious of messages with an “act now” sense of urgency.
Be aware of obvious spelling errors.
Check links for typos or oddities before clicking them.
Make sure your browser has up to date safety patches.
Do not bank using public or shared computers or when using unsecure networks.
If you suspect an email or popup message might not be authentic, don’t click “respond” or on an embedded link. You can call the company or log onto the website directly by typing in the web address in your browser. If the email in question looks like it came from Essex Savings Bank, you can call our Deposit Operations Team at (860) 767-4414 or toll free (877) 377-3922 to confirm the message, or you can type essexsavings.com into your browser and go to our website that way.
What is “Spoofing”?
Spoofing is the act of creating a website, as a hoax, with the intention of misleading readers that the website has been created by a different person or organization. Normally, the spoof website will adopt the design of the target website and sometimes has a similar URL. For best practices type in the website address to ensure you have arrived at the correct location.
If you’re a victim of identity theft or online fraud:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a lot of helpful information including a “What to Do” guide to assist you with the necessary steps. Things to do include, involve calling the FTC ID Theft Clearinghouse at toll free 18774384338 to report the theft. Place a Fraud Alert on your file at all three credit agencies by contacting their fraud departments:
Equifax http://www.equifax.com/ 1 (800) 525-6285
Experian http://www.experian.com/ 1 (888) 397-3742
TransUnion http://www.transunion.com/ 1 (800) 680-7289
Contact Essex Savings Bank at (860) 767-4414 or toll free (877) 377-3922, along with your other financial companies, to immediately stop access to your accounts. Stop payment on any fraudulent transactions or stolen checks. File a police report with your local police department or the police in the community where the identity theft occurred. Report all suspicious contacts to the Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov/idtheft
Additional Information
If you have a question about a suspicious email or telephone call, or need to report a scam involving your Essex Savings Bank account, please contact the Bank using the telephone numbers at the top of this page.
Below is a link to one of the best web sites on the internet concerning Computer Security. This OnGuardOnline.gov website will provide you with an invaluable education when it comes to scams, as well as safe computing. This is the federal government’s website and is designed to help you to be safe, secure and responsible online. The Federal Trade Commission manages this website in partnership with several federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
OnGuardOnline.gov is a partner in the Stop Think Connect campaign, led by the Department of Homeland Security, and part of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Please take a few minutes and follow this link, OnGuardOnline.gov, to reinforce what you know about avoiding scams, to protect your children from unsafe computer habits, and to learn more about safe and secure online computing.
If you still have any questions at all, please contact the Bank using the telephone numbers at the top of this page.
