Understanding and Avoiding Cyber Threats

As technology continues to evolve and become a more integral part of our everyday lives, so do cyber threats and scams. The convenience of technology makes our daily lives easier and more time efficient, however it can also make it easier for hackers to obtain your information. It is important to continuously monitor your banking activity and identify suspicious or fraudulent transactions. Always be mindful that fraudulent websites exist and make sure you are on the correct website before providing any information. Fraudulent communications in the form of emails, phone calls, or texts have become a favorite way for scammers to obtain your personal information. When questioning authenticity, look for the following red flags.

Phishing

Phishing attacks are common in the banking industry, and many consumers fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts, and phone calls disguised as a bank, reliable company, or pretending to be someone you trust when in reality they are from scammers. Look for the following if you receive a suspicious email, text, or phone call. 

  • They ask for personal information (account number, social security number, etc.) to help solve issues, for example, with your bank account or helping a loved one.

  • Links or downloadable attachments coming from an unknown email or phone number.

  • They don’t acknowledge your name and have poor or unprofessional grammar.

Fraudulent Website

A spoof or fraudulent website can have all the appearances of a legitimate site and may look identical to the website they are impersonating. This can make it hard to decipher between what is real and a fake. The following tips should be used whenever going to a website.

  • Address Bar - If you come in contact with a website that is identical to www.BogotaSavingsBank.com, check the URL in the address bar to make sure you are on the correct website. The domain name should be “www.BogotaSavingsBank.com”.

  • Branding - Take a look at the logo and colors on the website. If the logo and colors are not identical to ours, that is a key indicator that something is wrong. If you are navigating from page to page and notice that the colors are not the same, make sure that the URL did not change. 

  • Online Banking Login - When you sign in to your Online Banking and are asked to sign in with your account number, pin, or Social Security Number, you may be on a fraudulent website.

  • Check Grammar - If you spot poor grammar, that may be the sign of something suspicious. As noted before, check the domain name in the address bar. Even the slightest typo there may be unseen. For example, interchanging an E with 3 is the sign of a spoof website.

Besides the possibility of gaining access to your account, a fraudulent website can track every move you make on the site. They can also load the website with malicious links and downloadable attachments that may place malware onto your computer or mobile device.

Safety Tips

  • Cybersecurity Software - Investing in anti-malware and virus software is the best way to ensure your protection from cyber attacks.

  • Avoid Pop Ups - Do not click on any pop-ups that seem suspicious, as it may contain malware that can be downloaded onto your computer or mobile device.

  • No Personal Information - If you are suspicious of the website, do not give out any personal and private information. This includes everything from your name and address to your account number and Social Security Number.