Phishing Emails
Posted in Fraud & Security
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:
- Being asked for a payment for something you’ve ‘won’.
- 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).
- GoFundMe requests with a very tight deadline are suspicious
- 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.
