Be on the Lookout for Scams Related to COVID-19

COVID-19 has created more opportunities for phishing scams and cybersecurity attacks. These can come in the form of fraudulent emails from health organizations or your employer about changes in processes, websites with malicious maps, or fictitious requests from charities needing your help.

 

What can you do to help keep your information and assets safe?

1. Carefully review emails before engaging. If an email looks even slightly suspicious, (e.g. an unknown source, sender’s email address looks odd, questionable message content, grammatical issues, etc.) do not engage. Contact the sender using the phone number you already have on file. 

 

2. If you get a call from an unknown number or from someone you don’t typically receive calls from, consider letting it go to voicemail. Listen to the message first to see if it’s worthwhile calling back. If the voicemail is from your Bank, call the sender using the phone number you have on file.Remember that scammers can make it appear they’re calling from your bank. Some scammers use fake Caller ID details to trick you into thinking they are a legitimate organization, like a government agency or your bank. If you pick up the phone, know that as your Bank we will never call and ask you to share personally identifiable information. If the call feels suspicious, hang up and call your bank with the phone number you have on file. 

 

3. Use multi-factor authentication when it’s available. This helps prevent compromises in case your credentials were stolen.

 

4. Do not reuse passwords and especially do not use similar passwords across systems with varying data access. Your Bank password should be substantially different than your Netflix password and your work-related passwords. Consider using a password vault to help generate unique passwords. 

 

5. For those working from home:
   • Use a Virtual Private Network if your company has one.
   • Enable firewall protection, anti-virus and anti-malware.
   • Keep your software up to date.
   • Stay informed on the latest guidance. Visit our security page for quarterly blogs.

 

For more information on protecting yourself online, please see our Security Center.