Phishing

“Phishing” (pronounced “fishing”) is when criminals use e-mail to try to lure you to fake websites, where you’re asked to disclose confidential financial and personal information, like passwords, credit card account numbers or Social Security Numbers.


The criminals often pose as a:

  • Financial institution
  • Credit card company
  • Online merchant
  • Utility or other biller
  • Internet service provider
  • Government agency
  • Prospective employer

Phishing is perpetuated by both phone and e-mail, although email is more prevalent. The most common type of phish is an e-mail threatening some dire consequence if you do not immediately log in and take action.


You should never respond or reply to e-mail that:

  • Requires you to enter personal information directly into the e-mail or submit that information some other way.
  • Threatens to close or suspend your account if you do not take immediate action by providing personal information.
  • Solicits your participation in a survey where you are asked to enter personal information.
  • States that your account has been compromised or that there has been third-party activity on your account and requests you to enter or confirm your account information.
  • States that there are unauthorized charges on your account and requests your account information.
  • Asks you to enter your User ID, password or account numbers into an e-mail or non-secure webpage. Asks you to confirm, verify, or refresh your account, credit card, or billing information.


Unsolicited E-Mail

Beacon Business Bank does not send unsolicited e-mail messages or place pop-up advertisements that request personal borrower or depositor information such as your Bank account number(s) or account password(s), or your social security number.


If you receive an e-mail requesting your personal information from someone claiming to be a representative of Beacon Business Bank, and you did not originate the message, do not respond. If you see a pop-up advertisement for Beacon Business Bank that requests personal information, do not click the advertisement. You need to call the Bank immediately to report the contact.


Minimize Phishing Scam Risk

Always use a secure computer, keep your operating system up to date and install up-to-date antivirus, antispam, antispyware software.


For more information, you can visit the sites below:

www.fbi.gov