Kekaha FCU:Location

Beware of Phishing Scams!
By Ron Charlton-MCSE
President, etechs Hawaii
August 23, 2006

There has been a lot of concern over phishing scams here in the Islands lately...
members of a number of local financial institutions have apparently been the targets of phishing ploys in recent weeks.

Phishing Defined: Phishing is a form of Internet fraud that aims to steal your valuable information...credit card numbers...social security numbers...user IDs and passwords... etc. A fake Website is created and an email is sent to you requesting that you access the fake Website, which will look just like the Website of your financial institution, and enter your personal details. The submitted information goes to the operators of the fraudulent Website.

What can you do?
While it is common for companies to send email messages with links to their Websites, it is highly unlikely that they will send you an email message requesting that you enter your personal information. So, you should view any such message as a possible fraud attempt.

Just Don't Do It!
As a general rule, if you ever receive an email message asking you to click a link and supply private information...no matter how official looking the email appears...just delete it.
Access your Financial Institution's Website(s) directly.
Go to financial Websites by typing the address in the browser for yourself, not by clicking a link in an email.
Make sure you are accessing the Website securely.
Look for the padlock icon in the bottom right-hand side of your browser window when you are at the log-in area of a financial Website (not the Website in general, but the log-in page). This padlock means you are accessing the site securely. Phishing sites generally do not use such security. The padlock is no guarantee that the site your are at is not a phishing site, but never enter private information unless this lock is present.

Following these three steps will go a LONG way in keeping your information safe from those who are trying to get it fraudulently.

If you receive any suspicious emails that you believe may be fraudulent or an attempt at phishing please contact your Financial Institution directly.

Be aware and be safe.

Copyright © 2006, etechs Hawaii. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in without express written permission of etechs Hawaii is strictly prohibited. This Newsletter may contain links to sites on the Internet owned and operated by third parties. etechs Hawaii is not responsible any such third-party site or the information therein. Information in this newsletter is provided "as is," without any warranty, either expressed or implied. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of this document. We will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of this information given here.

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