Protecting Yourself from Phishing Scams

Protecting Yourself from Phishing Scams

Over 27 million Americans have already experienced identity theft and the incidences continue to rise each year. Eaton Community Bank's strict privacy policies protect your personal information, while passwords and PIN's assure the security of electronic and online transactions.

Phishing is an online scam involving the use of email messages that appear to be sent by your financial institution. Phishing emails typically ask you to click on a link to a false web site that asks you to input or confirm your personal and/or financial information such as your account number, credit card numbers, PIN's and/or passwords. For more information on phishing you can visit www.antiphishing.org. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers these tips to avoid being a victim of phishing scams:

• If you receive an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply or click on the link in the message. Eaton as well as other legitimate businesses will not ask for this information through email.
• Use anti-virus software and a firewall, and make sure they are up to date. Anti-virus software and a firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting unwanted files.
• Always be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you may receive. These files may contain viruses. 

Spot a Fraudulent Email

Look for the following signs to detect a fraudulent email:

• An urgent or threatening tone in the language of the email; threats to close or freeze your account if you do not comply with the email's requests.
• Unusual wording or misspellings.
• Requests for personal information such as account numbers, card numbers, user names and passwords. Eaton will NEVER request personal or financial information via email or phone.
• False links to non-secure websites.

Report Phishing Emails

If you have received a fraudulent email, report it immediately to Eaton or the business that it appears to originate from to verify that it is indeed fraudulent.

• Do not provide any of your personal or financial information. Thieves will not be able to compromise your account if you do not provide the requested information.
• Contact the financial institution or business that the email appears to be from using a phone number or secure email that you know is valid.

What to do if you are a victim...

If you have provided information to a fraudulent website, it is important to contact your financial institution or trusted business immediately to minimize possible damage to your finances and credit history. Also contact the fraud departments of the major credit card reporting companies:

• Equifax - 888.766.0008
• Experian - 888.397.3742
• Trans Union - 888.680.7289

You can contact Eaton Community Bank at 517.543.3880 or toll-free at 866.699.3372 or send an email to support@eaton.bank.

Often fraud does not directly affect your personal financial institution records, but may appear on your credit report. Thieves can use your information to open new accounts in your name. Order a copy of your credit report to determine if any fraudulent activity appears.