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Be on the alert for Cyber Criminals — Keep your Guard Up

We want to remind you that cyber attackers take advantage of current media events and attempt to scam you or launch phishing attacks that attempt to get you to click on malicious links or open infected email attachments. Here are some of the most common indicators that the phone call, text or email you received is most likely a scam or attack.

  • Any message that communicates a tremendous sense of urgency. The bad guys are trying to rush you into making a mistake.
  • Any message that pressures you into bypassing or ignoring your security policies and procedures.
  • Any message that promotes miracle cures, such as vaccines or medicine that will protect you. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Be very suspicious of any phone call or message that pretends to be an official or government organization urging you to take immediate action.

When dealing with financial transactions:

NEVER RELY on emails purporting to change wire instructions. Parties to a transaction rarely change wire instructions in the course of a transaction.

ALWAYS VERIFY wire instructions, specifically the ABA routing number and account number, by calling the party who sent the instructions to you. DO NOT use the phone number provided in the email containing the instructions, use phone numbers you have called before or can otherwise verify. Obtain the phone number of relevant parties to the transaction as soon as an account is opened. DO NOT send an email to verify as the email address may be incorrect, or the email may be intercepted by the fraudster.

USE COMPLEX EMAIL PASSWORDS that employ a combination of mixed case, numbers, and symbols. Make your passwords greater than eight (8) characters. Also, change your password often and do NOT reuse the same password for other online accounts.

USE MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION for email accounts. We can provide you specific instructions on how to implement this feature.

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