Have you ever noticed unauthorized charges on your account or found yourself expecting a product or service that never arrived? Situations like these can be the result of spoofing.
Protecting Your Personal Identifiable Information
What to Watch Out for and How to Stay Ahead
In today’s digital world, convenience and connectivity comes with increased risks. Online scams are becoming more sophisticated, and fraudsters are constantly finding new ways to imitate trusted forms of connectivity - like emails and text messages - to gain access to personal and financial information. At Bank of Bartlett, we are committed to helping you stay informed and protected. Understanding how these threats work is the first step in safeguarding what matters most.
What Is Spoofing?
The FBI describes spoofing as a tactic where someone disguises themselves by using an email address, website, or phone number to convince the recipient that they are interacting with a trusted source. In this blog, we'll focus on one common form of spoofing: spoofed websites. As more of our daily activities move online, this type of fraud has become increasingly prevalent.
Take a moment to consider how often you share personal information throughout the day. For example, completing an online order may require your name, phone number, email address, and mailing address. Now imagine that information falling into the wrong hands. That's exactly what can happen when information is entered into a fraudulent website that appears to be one you know and trust.
What Is a Spoofed Website?
Spoofed websites are created by fraudsters to imitate legitimate businesses, often with the goal of collecting sensitive information. These sites may closely resemble trusted brands by using similar logos, colors, and layouts to appear credible at first glance. In many cases, users are directed to these fraudulent websites through phishing emails, text messages, social media ads, or even sponsored search results.
While these websites may look legitimate, they are designed to capture personal information such as your name, address, phone number, email, login credentials, and other banking details. Some spoofed sites may also prompt you to download files or input one-time passcodes, giving fraudsters further access to your information.
How to Protect Yourself from Spoofed Websites
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Go directly to the trusted website. For example, when accessing Bank of Bartlett's website, type www.bankofbartlett.com directly into your browser's address bar instead of using a search engine.
- Be cautious with search results. If you do use a search engine, avoid clicking on sponsored or paid results, as these can sometimes lead to fraudulent or imitation websites.
- Verify website URLs carefully. Even small differences or misspellings can indicate a fraudulent website. For example: www.bankofbartlet.com, notice the difference?
- Never enter credentials on unfamiliar sites. If you don't trust it, don't enter any information. Putting sensitive information in like your social, username, or password, can give fraudsters instant access to your personal identifiable information.
- Protect sensitive information: Trusted organizations, like Bank of Bartlett, will never call, text, or email you asking for your PIN, password, one-time passcode, or online banking credentials. We NEVER request remote access to your device.
- Act quickly if something feels wrong. If you believe you've shared personal information with a fraudulent source or notice suspicious activity on your account, contact your personal banker or our Customer Care Center at 901-382-6600 as soon as possible. Prompt action can help you stay protected and maintain confidence in your financial security!
We’re Here to Help
At Bank of Bartlett, we believe that informed customers make stronger financial decisions. Our team is always happy to help answer general questions and connect you with trusted resources.
If you have any questions regarding your account transactions, or any other concerns please reach out to your local branch or contact Customer Care.
*This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as personalized financial advice.