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The most common type of online fraud are called phishing and spoofing.
Phishing is the process of collecting, through fraudulent e-mails or websites
claiming to be legitimate, your personal information. This information
can include usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, social security
numbers, etc. Often times the e-mail directs you to a website where you
can update your personal information and because they often look “official”,
they hope you’ll be tricked into disclosing valuable information
that you normally would not reveal. Often times resulting in identity
theft and financial losses.
Spyware and viruses
are both malicious programs that are loaded onto your computer without
your knowledge. The purpose of these programs may be to capture or destroy
information, to ruin computer performance or to overload you with advertising.
Viruses can spread by infecting computers and then replicating. Spyware
disguises itself as a legitimate application and embeds itself into
your computer where it then monitors your activity and collects information.
Fraudulent “Pop-up Windows” are
a type of online fraud often used to obtain personal information. They
are the windows or ads that appear suddenly over or under the window
you are currently viewing. Fraudulent websites or pop-up windows are
used to collect your personal information. Other terms for the fraudulent
process of gathering your personal information include “Phishing
or “Spoofing”. Additional links to real websites can be
incorporated into the email to lead you to believe the email is legitimate.
Fraudulent websites, e-mails or pop-up windows will often:
- Ask you for personal information (Account number, Social
Security Number, Date of Birth, etc.)
- Appear to be from a legitimate source. (Retail Stores,
Banks, Government agencies, etc.)
- Contain prize or other types of certificate notices.
- Link to other real or counterfeit websites
- Contain fraudulent phone numbers
Pop-up windows
are often the result of programs installed on your computer called “adware”
or “spyware.” These programs look in on your Web viewing
activity and regularly come hidden inside many free downloads, such
as music-sharing software or screen savers. Many of these programs enable
harmless advertisements, but some contain “Trojan horse”
programs that can record your keystrokes or relay other information
to an unauthorized source.
How
Does Union Bank Help to Protect Me?
Union Bank & Trust Company will never require customers to send
personal information via email or pop-up windows. Any unsolicited requests
for Union Bank & Trust account information you receive through pop-up
windows, emails, or Web sites should be considered fraudulent and reported
immediately. Click here for more information on how
to report a fraud. Or contact us at 1-800-297-2837.
Union Bank also encourages you to:
- Receive and pay bills automatically online instead of
by mail. Online
Banking, Business
Banking Online and Online
BillPay are secure methods for conducting transactions.
- Register for E-Statements.
You'll receive your deposit accounts and credit card statements online
- instead of in your mailbox - for added safety.
How can I protect myself?
With the proper precautions you can help protect your Union Bank &
Trust accounts and personal information from harmful pop-up windows.
1. Know the Scams
Phishing, Spoofing, Pop-up Fraud – types of online
fraud used to obtain personal information.
Trojan Horse – Virus that can record your keystrokes.
It can live in an attachment or be accessed via a link in the email,
website or pop-up window.
Counterfeit Websites – URLs that forward
you to a fraudulent site. To validate a URL, you can type or cut
and paste, the URL into a new web browser window and if it does
not take you to a legitimate web site or you get an error message,
it was probably just a cover for a fraudulent web site.
2. Activate a pop-up window blocker.
There are free programs available
online that will block pop-up windows. Be sure to perform an Internet
search for “pop-up blocker” or look at the options provided
by major search engines. You will need to confirm that these programs
are from legitimate companies before downloading. Once you have installed
a pop-up blocker, you should determine if it blocks information that
you need to view or access. If this is the case, you should consider
turning off the blocker when you are on Web sites you know use pop-windows
to provide information you need or want to view.
3. Scan your computer for spyware regularly.
You can eliminate potentially risky
pop-up windows by removing any spyware or adware installed on your
computer. Spyware and adware are programs that look in on your Web
viewing activity and potentially relay information to a disreputable
source. Perform an Internet search for “spyware” or “adware”
to find free spyware removal programs. As with a pop-up blocker, you
will want to be sure that your removal program is not blocking, or
removing, wanted items, and if it is, consider turning it off for
some websites.
4. Avoid downloading programs from unknown
sources.
Downloads may contain hidden programs
that can compromise your computer’s security. Likewise, email
attachments from unknown senders may contain harmful viruses.
5. Keep your computer operating system
and Internet browser current.
6. Keep anti-virus software up-to-date.
Anti-virus software needs frequent
updates to guard against new viruses. Select a reputable provider.
Download the anti-virus updates as soon as you are notified that a
new download is available. Some programs will offer an automatic update.
7. Keep your passwords secret.
Change them regularly, using a
mixture of numbers and characters.
True electronic safeguards include our customers
understanding the frauds, how they happen, how it affects you, and what
tools and solutions Union Bank has to assist you.
Linked sites are not under the control of Union
Bank and therefore Union Bank is not responsible for the contents of any
linked site or any link contained in a linked site. Union Bank provides
links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does
not imply endorsement by Union Bank. |
