Where's the Money?
The old adage tells us, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is." Keep this in mind if you receive e-mails promising big money for little effort or advising you to take advantage of "can't-miss" investments. Also, be wary of companies touting great work-at-home opportunities for an upfront fee.
Buyer Beware
Online shopping can be tricky if you're unfamiliar with the seller. A short background check of the organization through the Better Business Bureau is a good way to make sure that what you see is what you'll get. It's a good idea to scrutinize any offer or product information—a legitimate seller should have all the appropriate details available for review.
Nothing Personal
Information such as credit card and Social Security Numbers are the keys to your identity and should be guarded accordingly. Don't provide such information unless it's to complete a legitimate purchase or application. And you should never provide your personal information in response to an unsolicited communication, whether it's by e-mail, Internet ad, letter, phone call, text message, fax, or other method.
Sounds Phishy
Phishing—a common type of Internet fraud—may sound funny, but it's no laughing matter.
Perhaps you have received an email using a seemingly legitimate return e-mail address, a popup message or a link to a Web site with the name and logo of a genuine company or agency asking you to verify or resubmit sensitive financial or personal information. If so, you probably have been subject to phishing. If such information is divulged, the consequences for your identity, savings and credit score can be serious. Scammers could use this information to withdraw money from your account, make purchases with your credit or debit card, or sell your information to other thieves. Protect yourself by following these tips:
- Look for telltale signs, such as requests for sensitive information like your Social Security Number, credit card numbers, user names, passwords and PINs. These may come in the form of warnings that your information has already been lost or stolen or needs to be updated, and that your account will be closed or have limits placed on it if you don't respond immediately. (Remember: Regions will not ask you for personal information via e-mail or fax.)
- Don't keep your credit card information saved on purchasing Web sites, even if you're a frequent shopper. Enter your personal information each time you place an order, and make sure it's deleted when you leave the site.
- Don't provide personal information to a Web site using a link from an Internet ad or email. While not foolproof, it's better to type in a Web address yourself.
- Make use of anti-virus software and keep it updated, and also install a firewall.
- Report dubious emails or Web sites to the legitimate company or agency.
- Change your online passwords frequently.
- Most importantly, use common sense. If it looks or sounds phony, it probably is.
Vishing and Smishing
New variations of the phishing scam have also begun to appear. "Vishing" involves sending hard-to-trace e-mails or phone calls to victims informing them that their bank or credit account has had suspicious activity. The victim is then instructed to immediately call a phone number provided. When the victim calls, an automatic message prompts them to provide their card or account number.
In "smishing" scams, the victim receives a text message to their cell phone or other mobile device. The message might be an enticement to sign up for a service, which can cause a virus to be installed, or tell the victim they have already been registered for a bogus service and that they must go to a Web site and enter a credit card number or other personal information to cancel.
Detect and Defend
To detect whether you have been a victim of identity theft, monitor your accounts and bank statements each month, and check your credit report on a regular basis. If you believe you have been victimized by identity theft or that your Regions account information has been compromised, report it to us immediately.
Regardless of how you receive a communication asking you to provide personal information or how legitimate it appears to be, use common sense. If your instincts tell you it's phony, it probably is. But as criminals have become increasingly sophisticated, that may not be enough. Following the tips above can help you protect your identity and your personal information. You can find more tips on our Privacy & Security page.
Did You Know?
If you receive an e-mail inviting you to purchase an item or donate to a cause, one of the key ways to determine the sender's legitimacy is to take a look at how complaints are submitted. If there is no mechanism for handling complaints, or if no complaints have been made against the organization, it's probably fraudulent.