With internet and computer capabilities increasing on what seems to be a daily, if not, hourly basis, consumers need to protect themselves against another perpetrator out to steal your identity. They’re called “phishers” (pronounced ‘fishers’) and they’ll stop at nothing to trick you into giving up your personal information.

Here’s how it works: An email arrives in your “inbox” from a local provider of a service you already use (ie: Verizon Phone Services). The subject line will say something like “your account needs verification”, or “important information about your account”. When you open the email, you’ll see icons that Verizon actually uses in their website that leads you to believe you are truly being contacted by Verizon. You’ll be asked to click on a link that will take you to a site to address the so called “problem” with your account. However, it’s not the real Verizon site you’re being taken to, it’s actually the phisher’s site. Clicking on the link means they’ve hooked you and are ready to reel you in. Answering the very personal information they ask you for, (banking account number, ATM card number, personal identification number, etc.), means you’ve just been caught.

Here are a few tips you can use to prevent such an attack:

• Never provide your personal information in response to an unsolicited request.
• Never provide your password over the phone or in response to an unsolicited request.
• Review your account statements regularly to ensure all charges are correct.

Remember, the Credit Union will NEVER ask for your personal information – we’ve already got it, why would we need you to tell us what it is?

There is a brochure available from the National Credit Union Administration that goes into further detail on how you can prevent being caught up in a phishing attack. Go to http://www.ncua.gov/Phishing/phishing.htm for more information. If you’ve already been the subject of a phishing attack, you can file a formal complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov .

You work too hard for your money – don’t get caught in this game – protect your assets!