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Prevent Online Fraud and Identity Theft

Internet scams such as Phishing and Spoofing are becoming more prevalent, and protecting your personal information from Identity Theft is crucial. There are many ways the unscrupulous can gain access to information such as your name, Social Security Number, credit card or bank account numbers, or other identifying information to commit fraud or other crimes.

E-Mail Phishing - Involves you receiving an e-mail that appears to be from a legitimate company, such as FOCUS Bank. It may even include the company's logo and a link to an Internet address that looks appropriate. This e-mail directs you to a website where you are to supply account or personal information. However, simply clicking the link inside the email could secretly install software on your computer. The software may infect your computer with a virus or record and transmit everything you type, including passwords, to an unknown third party. Additionally, the website you link to may be spoofing the correct Internet site.

How to Recognize a Phishing E-Mail

Website Spoofing - Involves you trying to visit a website but accidentally keying-in or linking-to a different address. This may lead you to a website that mimics the legitimate site that you were trying to visit. The spoof Internet site may route whatever information you provide to criminals. This can include your account numbers, Social Security Numbers, credit card information, passwords and other personal identification numbers. To make spoof sites seem legitimate, criminals may use the logos, graphics, names and code of the real company's site. They also may attempt to fake the URL that appears in the address field at the top of your browser window and the padlock that appears in the lower right corner.

Identity Theft - Occurs when someone steals your personal information, credit cards, checks or driver's license and then obtains credit or merchandise in your name. Methods of obtaining this information include stealing wallets and purses, stealing mail from mailboxes, changing the address on credit accounts, or rummaging through garbage looking for personal data.

Protect yourself

More Information

Credit Reporting Agencies
(by notifying one agency of fraudulent activity, you will notify all three)

Fraudulent use of Checks

U.S. Government Agencies on Identity Theft