Protect Yourself From Fraud

Security and Fraud Sep 19, 2023

Due to an increase in general fraudulent text and email messages being sent, here’s a friendly reminder to please use caution if you receive a text message or email that is requesting personal or account information.

US Eagle will never reach out to you to ask for your online banking credentials, your personal information, or request for you to transfer funds.

Common Types of Scams

Smishing

Smishing is a social engineering attack that uses fake mobile text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or sending money to cybercriminals.

The term “smishing” comes from the term “SMS”—or “short message service,” the technology behind text messages—and “phishing.”

Phishing

Phishing is when scammers use email (or text – AKA Smishing) to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers.

Vishing

Vishing is the fraudulent practice of making phone calls or leaving voice messages purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as bank details and credit card numbers.

Scam Red Flags

Scammers will use several tactics to get you to click a link or disclose personal information. But there are also several red flags that you can look out for.

  • Sense of Urgency – there will be a time frame to act, or wording that tells you to take immediate action.
  • Evokes and emotion – Many scams play on two main emotions; fear and compassion.
  • Blurry images and logos – To create a more realistic email, phishing attempts can include real logos, but they will often look blurry or distorted.
  • Errors – look out for grammatical and spelling errors.

Odd links – Links do not contain the companies actual URL and are often long with random strings of characters. You can see true links without clicking by either hovering over the link with your mouse on a computer, or holding down the link like you are going to copy it on mobile devices.

We have included some examples of the fraudulent communications that have been reported to us:

The bad guys never quit working, but neither do we. We do our best to protect your information but need your help by asking you to be careful with whom you share your information. You can protect yourself by following these simple tips.

  • If someone calls you saying they’re from US Eagle, or any of your other financial service providers, asking for your personal information – hang-up and call us to report it. The only way a fraudster will get your information is if you give it to them.
  • If an unidentified caller indicates they “can’t hear you well” and asks if you can hear them, don’t say, ‘Yes.’ Tell them to call you back on a ‘better line’ or simply hang-up. They may be trying to record your voice saying, ‘Yes’ for fraudulent voice ID purposes.
  • You will never receive a text from US Eagle notifying you of account issues, asking you to click on links or share personal/account information. Contact us and delete the text.
  • You will never receive an unsolicited email from US Eagle notifying you of account issues or asking you to click on links to share personal/account information. If any email you receive from anyone – even those from names you know – looks suspicious, do not click on any links in the email.

Above all, if anything ever looks or sounds suspicious, the best thing to do is CALL US at 888-342-8766

To Report Fraud to the Federal Trade Commission:

877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET)

Online: ReportFraud.ftc.gov

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