|  Common Sense And Help From Your Credit Union Can
Help You Not Be Hooked By “Phishing” or Plowed
Over By “Pharming”
Lately, internet criminals have been getting more and more creative. It wasn’t enough
for them to try to “phish” for your identity, now they are “pharming” for it. As an internet
user and consumer, you would be wise to learn the difference between the two and protect
yourself.
First, what is “phishing?” It’s a scheme devised by Internet hackers who pretend to be a legitimate financial
institution or credit card company through “official” looking e-mails to trick consumers into sending them personal
and/or financial information. Take a few tips to avoid getting hooked by a phishing scheme:
- Be suspicious if an e-mail asks for an urgent request for personal financial information.
- If you have any suspicions that a message might not be authentic, don’t use the website links in the e-mail.
- Avoid filling out any forms that ask for personal financial information when sent by e-mail.
- Make sure your web browser is up to date and all security patches have been applied.
- Be diligent in checking your account statements, ensuring that all transactions completed on your account
are legitimate.
Remember: We will never request confidential financial information or personal data by e-mail. Contact us as
soon as possible to report any suspicious e-mails claiming to be from Georgia Florida United Methodist Federal
Credit Union.
Secondly, just what is “pharming?“ “Pharming” is a relatively new hacking technique. Crooks corrupt Domain
Name Server (DNS) information to have the server redirect your legitimate website request to a fake site instead.
The only way to avoid a “pharming” attack is to use an old technology: the telephone. CALL the credit union if
you are sent to an odd site. And, don’t forget: We already KNOW your account numbers and passwords and so
do any other credit card companies and websites where you currently hold credit or are already registered. |
