What You Need to Know About Internet “Phishing”

Today's environment has us often relying on email as a fast and effective means of communication. However, with such technology criminals are increasingly utilizing email in order to fraudulently obtain confidential information. At Greenfield Savings Bank, we take pride in our commitment to our customers, and we are therefore alerting you to be aware of these potentially dangerous schemes.

These fraudulent emails may appear to come from a Financial Institution and may attempt to trick you into disclosing personal information, such as account numbers, passwords or PIN's, social security numbers, and other personally identifiable information. These emails, and the web links that sometimes accompany them, are often very realistic and convincing.

Important security safeguards and simple precautions to remember:

• Never give out your account number, ATM/Debit card number, PIN or other personally identifiable information if requested via an unsolicited email or phone call.
• Never reveal your PIN to anyone, including Greenfield Savings Bank employees.
• Be sure to log out after your online banking session, and close your browser.
• When discarding banking receipts and credit card statements, it is a good idea to shred these documents, as they contain confidential information.

"Stop, Look and Call"

The Department of Justice advises e-mail users to "stop, look and call" if they receive a suspicious email.

• Stop. Resist the urge to immediately respond to a suspicious e-mail—and to provide the information requested—despite urgent or exaggerated claims.
• Look. Read the text of the e-mail several times and ask yourself why the information requested would really be needed.
• Call. Telephone the organization identified, using a number that you know to be legitimate.

If You’ve Been “Phished”…

If you believe that you have provided sensitive financial information about yourself through a phishing scam, you should:

• Immediately contact your financial institution.
• Contact the three major credit bureaus and request that a fraud alert be placed on your credit report. The credit bureaus and phone numbers are:
  • Equifax, 1-800-525-6285
  • Experian, 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion, 1-800-680-7289
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or
  1-877-382-4357.

Additional information is available at many sites, including those listed below:

Federal Trade Commission: Your National Resource for Identity Theft

Credit File Fraud Alert

Phishing-Internet Pirates

FDIC Fradulent Email Warning

FDIC Consumer Alert

ABA Fraudulent Email Warning

U.S. Postal Inspectors - Mail Fraud