Phishing Emails

Phishing emails are still going strong because they still continue to work.  Evolving technology, such as Chat GPT, makes them more believable and less error-prone.  Successful email scams play on emotions to get you to send money or information.

• Joy (you’ve won something!)
• Fear (your bank account is locked and you must update your information)
• Desire to help others (Donate to GoFundMe for a terribly sick child)

To spot a scam email, first check the sender’s address –

• On a computer, without opening the email, hover your cursor over the sender’s name to bring up the full address.
• On a mobile device, open the email and tap reply, but don’t send a response. This should let you see the entire address.
• If you do not recognize the address or there is an odd spelling variation like ‘walmarrt’ instead of ‘walmart’, it’s a scam.

Other red flags:

1. Being asked for a payment for something you’ve ‘won’.
2. A reputable business won’t ask you to update your information by using a link embedded in the email.  A legitimate request for such information would direct you to login on the company’s website or ask you to call their Customer Service department (at a phone number that you recognize).
3. GoFundMe requests with a very tight deadline are suspicious
4. Requests for gift cards, cash, crypto or a wire transfer are all suspicious

If you opened the email:

• If you simply opened the email without clicking on any links or supplying any information, you’re at relatively low risk, although you’ve probably been added to a “email again” list
• Skip any “click here to unsubscribe” links – they could take you to a malicious website

If you clicked on a link or attachment:

• Close the email right away
• If your click opened a website window, close it immediately
• Delete any attachment you downloaded
• Disconnect from WiFi or turn off your phone, tablet or computer for a least a minute; this might interrupt any malware that is downloading
• Have your device checked and cleaned by a technology professional

If you entered personal details:

• Contact the ATFCU Fraud team immediately.  The phone numbers are 325-677-2274 or 800-677-6770.
• If you provided enough information for a criminal to open a new credit card or account in your name, quickly contact the three credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and ask them to freeze your credit.
• Continue to closely monitor banking accounts and credit reports for at least a year.
• Watch for any unexpected changes on tax and/or Social Security forms.
• Filing a police report is a good idea.  If you are defrauded and seek to recover funds, you will need to show evidence of a police report.