As part of our ongoing
efforts to safeguard your online security and funds, we want to alert you about the growing threat of
spoofed website fraud.
Scammers are increasingly creating fake websites that mimic
legitimate financial institutions' websites to deceive you and make you log into a mimicked Digital
Banking system to steal your digital banking credentials.
Please read carefully for
crucial tips on how to avoid falling prey and protect your identity and funds. Remember, we
are here to support you with any security concerns.
- ACCESS YOUR DIGITAL BANKING BY
VISITING OUR WEBSITE DIRECTLY AT BFSFCU.org and save it to the
"favorites" in your browser.
- USE OUR DIGITAL BANKING MOBILE
APPS.
- AVOID USING SEARCH ENGINES TO ACCESS A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION'S WEBSITE. If you have to use a search engine, please use the following precautions.
- Do not click on sponsored ads. Beware of sponsored ads as they will appear first in Google search results and scammers use these to direct users to fake websites.
- Verify your search
results. Scrutinize search results by looking for the
correct web address and a padlock icon in the URL, indicating a secure
connection.
- ALWAYS VERIFY YOUR
URLs. Ensure the website address is genuine and check
for spelling mistakes, extra or missing characters, or slight domain discrepancies.
- ENABLE TRANSACTION ALERTS ON ALL YOUR ACCOUNTS. Log in to the mobile app to set up real-time alerts when a transaction is posted to your accounts. Click here to read more.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOU'VE ENCOUNTERED SPOOFING
- DO NOT ENTER SENSTIVE
INFORMATION. Immediately close the website and report it
to the legitimate organization.
- REPORT PHISHING
ATTEMPTS. Inform the relevant authorities, such as the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and contact us immediately.
- REPORT UNAUTHORIZED
TRANSACTIONS. Please contact us immediately, and we will
assist you in recovering your funds.
- CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD IMMEDIATELY.
Following these guidelines significantly reduces the risk of falling victim to spoofed website
fraud. Stay vigilant and protect your funds.
RESOURCES:
How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
Internet Crime Report: https://www.ic3.gov/media/annualreport/2018_IC3Report.pdf
How to spot a Phishing site: https://www.globalsign.com/en/blog/how-to-spot-a-fake-website