September 20, 2008
Perhaps like many of you, I use the internet and email to keep in touch and keep track of things. Therefore, when you read what looks to be an official email from your bank warning of a credit problem, a need to re-verify account information, or even a contest, you may be enticed to click on the link.
I do not know of any financial institution that utilizes emails to communicate in this manner. Often it is easy to determine a fradulant email. I received one this morning "from Community Bank". While I know where the bank is, I also know that I do not have an account with them. Further, when you bring your cursor over the link you are supposed to click you do not see a Community Bank website but some strange website. That should be a strong warning on any click-thru --- if the click-thru does not match the company name then ignore the link.
So, if in doubt, contact the financial institution directly. Or, if you think something might really be true, then go to the website for the bank or financial institution that you know. In this case, the website is www.CommunityBank.com and there is even a fraud alert on their home page warning of the scam. Just recently Bridgewater Credit Union was the victim of another internet scam.
Finally, maybe to take a line fmailiar to us -- when you read an email from your bank or mortgage company or credit card company inviting you to respond by "clicking this link" -- JUST SAY NO.
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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