GDS International Investigates Internet Banking Scam
Are you at risk of being taken in by an internet banking scam? If you bank online you are. Modern technology has made our lives easier and more efficient than ever before; however if you bank online beware that falling for an internet banking scam could spell financial ruin. Not only that, your identity could potentially be stolen – and that would be devastating to your life.
Online banking is convenient and saves us so much time – but you must be cautious and use common sense to avoid an internet banking scam. Checking your account balance, making withdrawals or deposits, and paying bills online is a luxury no one would have dreamed possible years ago. Unfortunately, as technology continues to evolve, it continues to fall in to the hands of those that are hungry for money just as often. Many people have made the decision to take their banking offline once again, simply because they want to avoid being taken in by an internet banking scam.
When should you be suspicious? If you receive an email claiming there is a problem with your account or that urges you to take action immediately, be extremely cautious. Most legitimate banking institutions will not do this; they will call to talk to you in person. If an email takes on a sense of urgency or asks for private details such as your social security number or account numbers, do not respond and call your financial institution at once. This is likely an internet banking scam, which you want to avoid at all costs.
Keep in mind that vicious people intent on taking your money or your identity in an internet banking scam can create email addresses that look authentic – they can also create websites that replicate those of the genuine financial institution; to the average person, these websites appear to be the real thing. The best thing you can do to avoid an internet banking scam is to use your common sense. Why would you give someone online you cannot see any of your private information, when you can pick up the phone and call your bank to check things out?
In an internet banking scam, you may wonder how someone who sends you a fake email knows which financial institution you use. For example, if you bank with Liberty Bank and you get an email with that name in the address, how did the perpetrator get it? They didn’t – they just took a guess and got lucky. Do not think that because the name of your bank is included in the email address or body of the email that it is authentic, because odds are it is an internet banking scam.
If you do get an email that you believe to be fraudulent, simply contact your bank. It really is that easy, and will save you from a great deal of grief. Do not respond to bogus emails, and never email back with any of your personal information. Follow these tips, and you will never be the victim of an internet banking scam.
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Human Resources
