Previous | Business owners can succeed with a personal touch Next | How to safely use digital banking
March 14, 2023 / Ray Wills
How to avoid a phishing attack

How to avoid a phishing attack

Perhaps you have heard people talk about phishing, but you don’t really understand what it is. Simply put, phishing refers to the act of trying to get personal information under false pretenses. Phishers who initiate these attacks may try to get usernames, passwords, bank account information, credit card details, and more from their victims – ultimately resulting in identity theft.

illustration of login fields with lock and keyPhishing attacks usually occur through an e-mail that looks like it’s from a legitimate source. The e-mail (or website or phone call) will appear to be coming from a place the victim recognizes, like their bank, credit card company, or even a social network site. Thinking the source is legitimate, the victim will then answer questions or enter information that gives the phishers their personal details.

The crude, poorly formatted phishing emails of a few years ago have largely been replaced with professionally designed phishing attacks that are hard to distinguish from legitimate messages without careful examination. Understanding that these types of attacks occur allows you to be on the lookout for them. Here are a few specific tips for recognizing a phishing attack:

  • Legitimate businesses or financial institutions will rarely ask you for your personal information by e-mail.
  • Phishers often use scare tactics and emotional language to intimidate their victims into responding. For example, “You need to respond now, or we will put your account on hold.”
  • Phishing e-mails often have spelling and grammar mistakes. While reputable organizations proofread carefully, phishers do not.
  • Links in phishing e-mails might be not quite right. For example, an O being replaced with a zero or additional text at the beginning or end. Before you click on a link, hover over the text to see where it is pointing.

If you think you’ve received an e-mail that’s an attempt to get your information, you could just delete it. However, if you’re concerned that it could be legitimate, your best option is to contact the company directly through other means. For example, if you receive an e-mail that looks like it’s from your bank, but you’re not sure, call the number on your statement. That way you’ll be sure the person on the other end is who they say they are.

It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your security.

Ray Wills is the security officer at F&M Trust.

Recent Articles
How to safely use digital banking
How to safely use digital banking

How to safely use digital banking

October 03, 2024 / Ray Wills

It’s never too early to save for the holidays
It’s never too early to save for the holidays

It’s never too early to save for the holidays

September 26, 2024 / Pheonix Gilbert

How to set SMART financial goals
How to set SMART financial goals

How to set SMART financial goals

September 19, 2024 / Pheonix Gilbert

Why it’s important to invest financially early in your career
Why it’s important to invest financially early in your career

Why it’s important to invest financially early in your career

September 05, 2024 / Warren Hurt

Is it a good idea to pay off my mortgage early?
Is it a good idea to pay off my mortgage early?

Is it a good idea to pay off my mortgage early?

August 22, 2024 / Erin Sunday

How to save on back-to-school shopping
How to save on back-to-school shopping

How to save on back-to-school shopping

August 15, 2024 / Megan Brindle

Avoiding the pitfalls of debt and overusing credit
Avoiding the pitfalls of debt and overusing credit

Avoiding the pitfalls of debt and overusing credit

August 08, 2024 / Dave Winters

Teaching children to save money
Teaching children to save money

Teaching children to save money

July 24, 2024 / Mary Kate Mumper

What to consider when weighing a job offer
What to consider when weighing a job offer

What to consider when weighing a job offer

July 17, 2024 / Levi Crouse

Join our e-newsletter

Sign up for our e-newsletter to get new content each month.

NOTICE: YOU ARE LEAVING F&M TRUST!

You are now leaving the F&M Trust website. Links to third-party sites are provided for your convenience. Such sites are not within our control and may not follow the same privacy, security or accessibility standards as ours. F&M Trust neither endorses nor guarantees offerings of the third-party providers, nor is F&M Trust responsible for the security, content or availability of third-party sites, their partners or advertisers.