Phishing Scams
What is "Phishing"?
Phishing is an online scam that involves e-mail messages and pop-up window links, made to look like official notices from reputable companies, "baiting" you to reply with personal information. They often appear to come from retail/auction sites like E-Bay or familiar financial institutions. The intent of these messages is to "hook" you into disclosing your personal financial information, Social Security number, and other personal information. The information that has been gathered is then used by the scammer to fraudulently access your personal online accounts. Learn more about phishing scams and view some examples.
Keylogging is on the rise.
This form of phishing is increasing so people need to take steps to protect themselves from this higher level of intrusion, often downloaded as spyware.
"Keylogging" is a simpler, more direct type of fraud where criminals steal usernames, passwords, account and credit card numbers, and other personal information by using software programs that copy computer users' keystrokes.
Your best line of defense is to use a firewall and consider using and maintaining anti-virus and anti-spyware programs along with common sense.
How can you tell if your computer is infected with a virus or spyware?
- Your computer may be running slower than normal, both offline and online.
- An increased frequency of pop-up windows and strange browser behavior when using the Internet.
- Your Internet browser's home page is different from what you had selected and your "bookmarked/favorite sites" have changed.
- An sudden increase in unsolicited e-mail or messages sent without your knowledge.
How can you guard yourself against a phishing scam?
- NEVER give out your PIN (personal identification number) number. Illinois State Bank representatives will never ask you for a PIN number or ask you to verify personal financial information in an e-mail message.
- DO NOT OPEN e-mail messages from any company, person, or email address you don’t know or don't have an account with. Simply opening and then deleting the wrong e-mail could make you vulnerable to fraud. Other than known addresses of friends and family members, open only those messages from companies or Web sites you were expecting a response.
- DO NOT DOWNLOAD software from Web sites that you don't completely trust. You may be putting yourself at risk of downloading keylogging or other malicious software along with it.
- Be aware of e-mail messages with urgent subject lines. These e-mails are attempting to generate a quick emotional reaction from you rather than a rational one. Do not respond.
- If you receive an e-mail message that asks for account or personal information, and does not appear to have any contact information, such as a phone number or e-mail address, this is most likely a phishing scam. Do not respond. While these messages may look official, they are only clever attempts to retrieve your account information. Take a look at some examples of phishing scams.
- Question email links and be cautious of downloading software from unknown Web sites. If anyone asks you for an account number or credit card number, do not give it out. Requests for login or personal information should arouse suspicion and be verified as legitimate before responding.
If you suspect that you may have received a phishing-scam message from someone claiming to be Illinois State Bank, please call 1-877-672-2265 to inform us or request verification of the message.
Illinois State Bank cannot stop the act of phishing … but we can alert you to the tactics used. If you fall victim to a phishing scam and willingly provide confidential information, you can be held responsible for losses. Illinois State Bank will periodically update our Consumer Tips/Security section with information and links regarding phishing scams, Internet viruses and other financial security issues.
Still have questions? We can help.
- E-mail us.
- Call us at 877.672.2265.
(8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am until 3:00 pm CST, Saturdays, & 10:00 am until 1:00pm CST, Sundays, excluding bank holidays)
- Stop by your neighborhood branch.
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