Fraud Prevention Friday

---

Scammers are getting more sneaky with their scams. They like to use email or text messages (also known as phishing scams) to trick people into giving your information for them to steal. That could include passwords, account numbers, or even your Social Security numbers.

---

These phishing messages may look like they are coming from a company or business you trust. The messages can look authentic and give you random buttons or links to click on, where attachments and links could install harmful malware. For example, they say you've had suspicious activity or log-in attempts, fake invoices, a link to make a payment, and (but not limited to) offering a coupon for free stuff.

---

The most important question for you to ask yourself when you see a message: Do you have an account with the company or know the person that is contacting you through this email or text message?   If your answer is "no", it is a scam and you should delete the message immediately. If your answer is "yes", contact the company directly and don’t respond to the message as it could still be a scam.

---

Want to learn more on how to protect yourself from phishing scams and see an example? Visit the Federal Trade Commission website.  

Educate yourself so you can protect yourself from financial fraud.