Recently, there have been several fraudulent Web sites attempting to gain important information about you and your bank accounts. These people are pretending to represent Sun Trust Bank, Washington Mutual and Citi Bank or some other financial organization.

Do not click on these Web sites! 

According to the New York State Police Internet Crimes Unit, these Web sites come back to computers that are not located within the United States (usually Korea, Russia and China). If you click on these Web sites, they will bring you to a web page that looks just like the legitimate owner’s web page, but it is not. These Web sites possess the capability of infecting your computer with a virus or installing spyware on your computer, without your knowledge. The other thing that is noticeably lacking is a phone number to call the Customer Service Department. 

Spyware is a computer program that hides inside your computer and automatically reports back to these people whatever information they are looking for in their spyware. Spyware requires no active participation on your part. It works automatically each and every time you connect to the internet.

All of these scams are similar in nature. They claim: they are updating software; someone infected their computer; or a periodic security update. They will ask you to provide your name, account information, Social Security Number, date of birth, account password and phone number. Once you have provided this information, they have everything necessary for them to impersonate you. They can take your money without ever stepping into New York State, and you are out your money. 

If you are in doubt about the true origin of an email, DO NOT OPEN IT and delete the message. Call the bank, with a phone number that you looked up, and speak with them.

If you have any further questions, contact Trooper Wittner at 853-4415, Ext. 4911 or email him at hwitter@ffcsd.org.

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