At Peoples Advantage FCU, we're committed to protecting your privacy and security.

We will never initiate a request for sensitive information from you via e-mail (Social Security Number, Account Number, User ID, Password and/or PIN).

We strongly advise that you never share your personal information with anyone.

Don't Get Hooked by Phishing

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. One of the sinister techniques that thieves use to steal your identity is called phishing.

Phishing is a practice that on-line fraudsters use to “fish” for confidential passwords and financial data from the “sea” of Internet users using email.

Phishing has two major components:

(Phishing occurs when identity thieves use spoofing and spamming to lure you into providing personal and financial information on the Internet.)

• Spoofing occurs when thieves create a near exact replica of an existing website
• Spamming occurs when you receive unsolicited email also known as junk email. A typical email will tell you that you need to update your account information for a financial institution account. The email contains a link that when “clicked” will take you to the spoofed web site where you are asked for some personal and financial information. Once you enter in this information, the identity thief has access to it.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 ► Delete unknown email messages and don't download attachments or click on links included in the email

► Do not send personal or financial information via email

► Make sure that you are on a secure, encrypted website before entering personal or financial information. A secure site is usually designated by the URL beginning with “https” where the “s” stands for secure. Also, look for the closed padlock at the bottom of the screen, which indicates secure.

► Use anti-virus software on your PC or laptop and keep it updated

► Add a firewall to your computer especially if you use broadband service

Other Helpful Websites:

This US government sponsored website gives specific info on identity theft, phishing, spam and on-line shopping scams. It also provides detailed guidance on how to monitor your credit history and how to recover from ID Theft.

Federal Trade Commission- offers great information as well a video on the affects of ID theft

Disclaimer: Links to other websites found here are provided to assist in locating information. The mere fact that there is a link between this website and another does not constitute a product or program endorsement by Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union or any of its employees. Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union has no responsibility for content or availability of the websites found at these links, or beyond, and does not attest to the accuracy or propriety of any information located there.