Beware phone call and email pretending to be from FDIC
Mon Nov 30, 2009 | | Posted in Data Security
If you ever receive a phone call or email from Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – commonly known as FDIC, be aware that it is fake. Anyone calling you as someone from FDIC, don’t believe it. Ignore the call. If you receive an email from FDIC with a link to a website, don’t click on the link. If you did, a program (with the suffix .exe) gets executed on your computer. If you have stored any personal information for your bank or another such financial institution, it will pick up that info and upload it to the website without you even knowing it.
In daily tech jargon, this kind of program is known as “Trojan horse.” It may do two things on your computer. It will pick up 1) your financial information and 2) your identity which is most often transmitted to other crooks and schmucks of the world.
No matter how much some folks are warned and no matter how much we are careful, many fall victims to the identity theft. So better be safe now than be sorry in a big way later.
Finance security experts suggest to follow these precautions:
- In no way, should you provide your personal information especially social security number and any financial account details over the phone or via email.
- Whenever you receive a call or email, use your favorite search engine to find out their phone number and call them about why you were contacted.
- Keep your passwords, PINs and other account-accessing details or codes in a safe place – better yet, memorize them if you can; never write that information on credit or debit cards or carry it in a wallet or purse.
- Contact your state Bureau of Financial Institutions to report potential fraud
In a Nutshell
Follow these guidelines and hopefully you would avoid and keep away these schmucks and crooks to get your personal information. Just be extra careful.
What do you think?
You might also like...
- Beware of ID theft and financial scams
- Maximize your bank account FDIC protection
- Protect yourself from Phishing, Vishing, Smishing and Lottery Scams
- Do you know your cell phone can be cloned?
- Beware and be warned about Phishing scams
Information contained herein is general in nature, and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Talk to your financial adviser.
Read more articles in Data Security
