FRAUD ADVISORY

Internet "phishing" scams are one of the fastest-growing frauds today. Phishing typically involves a bogus e-mail OR webpage message that uses legitimate materials, such as a company's Website graphics and logos, in an attempt to entice e-mail recipients to provide personal financial details, such as creditcard and Social Security numbers.

Please Make Note: We NEVER request account information such as credit card, debit card, account numbers etc... over the internet. Personal information with the bank can only be changed with proper ID verification.

Financial institutions, government agencies, retailers, credit card companies and many other organizations have seen their Website graphics, including corporate logos and other materials, "borrowed" by fraudsters intenton tricking consumers into divulging personal financial information by responding to an official-looking, but entirely bogus, e-mail. The names of many well-known companies have been used to perpetuate the scams including, Citibank, E-bay, Best Buy, Discover Card, and Earthlink. Like many cons and scams, phishing preys on the unwary. Here's how you can keep your guard up, and help fight back against this form of fraud.

SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS.

Never respond to an unsolicited e-mail that asks for detailed financial information. Always know whom you are dealing with.

Report anything suspicious to the proper authorities. Alert the company or government agency identified in the suspect e-mail through a Web address or telephone number that you know ids legitimate.

You can also contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ifccfbi.gov if you think you have received a phishing e-mail or have been directed to a "phishy-looking" website.