Phishing
We have recently received reports of individuals receiving a “phishing” e-mail
that appears to be from Old Point National Bank. The email promises a reward
for the completion of a survey or questionnaire. Customers should be advised
that these e-mails are NOT sent from Old Point National Bank and they should
NOT click on the link in the message. They should delete the messages
immediately. Our Information Technology department is diligently working to
shut down fraudulent sites as quickly as possible. As a reminder, Old Point
will NEVER ask a customer for any personal information in an
email, and they should never reply to emails that ask them for personal
information. |
What is “Phishing”?
“Phishing” involves a fictitious e-mail message that uses legitimate materials,
such as a company’s Web site graphics and logos, in an attempt to entice you to
provide personal financial details, such as credit card numbers, pin numbers,
checking account numbers and Social Security numbers.
How to identify a “phishing” scam
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“Phishing” usually comes in the form of an e-mail that will ask you to click a
link back to a website that is usually fake and to update, confirm or provide
sensitive personal information.
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These emails will more than likely convey some kind of threatening or urgent
condition concerning your account in order to get you to go to the fake
website.
WARNING:
Simply by clicking on the links in the fictitious emails could automatically
download software onto your computer that records everything you type including
passwords, User IDs and account or personal information. So even if you don’t
provide the “phisher” with the information they are after in the email, they
could be getting it from you without you knowing it.
Protect yourself against “phishing” and “vishing”
Financial Institutions, Federal Agencies, retailers and credit card companies
have seen their Web sites copied by criminals intent on tricking individuals
into providing personal financial information by responding to an
official-looking, but entirely fictitious e-mail.
Exercise some simple precautions:
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Never respond to an unsolicited e-mail or telephone call that asks for detailed
personal financial information.
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Report any suspicious e-mails or phone calls you receive to the proper
authorities. At a minimum, verify the legitimacy of the e-mail by contacting
the company using a different contact resource. Avoid using phone numbers or
e-mail links provided in the suspect e-mail.
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Use the Internet Crime Complaint Center as a resource if you think you have
received a phishing e-mail or have been directed to a suspect Web site. Their
e-mail address is www.ifccfbi.gov.
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Resist the urge to immediately respond to a suspicious e-mail or phone call
despite urgent or exaggerated claims.
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Read the text of the e-mail several times and ask yourself why the personal
information is being requested.
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