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March 29, 2024

We recently received this email from Jeff in Connecticut with important information about bank fraud. Here’s what he had to say.

Dear Kurt,

I am contacting you about a suspicious bank email I recently received. I followed your previous advice and did not click any links in the email. I also checked the email address and it was not a Wells Fargo address. However, emails look identical from my bank, This is quite worrying. I think it is crucial to inform your readers about this bank email scam so they can avoid becoming victims.

Sincerely,

jeff

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Fake Wells Fargo Email (Cyberguy.com)

You can see above how convincing Jeff’s email looks and how much a skilled con artist has gained by deceiving people. Let’s review some key points to keep in mind when receiving such an email.

How to tell if an email is a scam?

Remove this malicious extension and stop hackers from stealing your GMAIL messages

The first thing to remember is always Check the sender’s email address. As you can see in the image above, the sender’s email is reply@collabarain.com, which is not a name associated with Wells Fargo.Email addresses from banks will always be verifiable, you should ensure Find your bank’s customer service contact to verify that the email address is legitimate.

you must also remember never click on any links In an email sent to you, especially if it’s from an address you don’t recognize.you should Avoid opening any attachments The same is true in emails, as these can lead to malware being installed on your device. If the message also seems urgent, and the sender warns you to complete the task immediately or risk the consequences, there is a good chance that you are dealing with a scammer.

What other scams should I watch out for?

In addition to emails, scammers will try to trick you by sending emails fake text message Send directly to your phone and make it appear to be from your bank. However, you can tell if these texts are legitimate in a number of ways.

The first thing to consider is Did you actually choose to receive text messages Sent by your bank. If you haven’t already, this is the first obvious sign of a scam. If you do not remember whether you have opted in, you should first log into your online banking portal and check if you are opted in.

woman on the phone

woman on the phone (Cyberguy.com)

Hundreds of Financial and Banking Apps Threatened by New NEXUS Android Trojan

If you agree to receive text messages from your bank, you should first See if they ask you for any personal information. The bank will never contact you via text message if the situation is so urgent, so if the text message asks for your PIN, online credentials, or other account information, it’s a scam.

you should also pay attention Language expressing urgency. Just like with phishing emails, scammers will try to scare you into taking immediate action, so be careful not to fall for it.Also, remember Do not click on any links in the message immediately. These links may lead to suspicious websites asking for more personal information, or they may install malware on your device.

What other ways can I protect myself?

Turn on antivirus protection

The best way to avoid being scammed is to install antivirus software on all your devices. In the scam email above, installing antivirus software will prevent you from clicking through to any malicious websites or installations.

Visit my expert reviews for the best antivirus protection for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech .

related: Free Antivirus: Should You Use It?

best antivirus software

best antivirus software (Cyberguy.com)

3 Big Mistakes That Can Give Scammers Access to Your Bank Account

I was cheated! What’s next?

If you do find out that you or a loved one has been a victim of identity theft, here are some next steps.

  • If you can regain control of your accountchange your password and notify the account provider
  • browse Bank Statements and Checking Accounts tradeSee where unusual activity starts

Use Fraud Protection Services : Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number, and email address and alert you if it’s being sold on the dark web or used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.One of the best parts of using my 1st choice includes identity theft insurance Up to $1 million to cover damages and legal feesand a white glove fraud resolution team American project manager to help you recover the loss . Check out my tips and top picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft by visiting CyberGuy.com/IdentityTheft .

How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft (Cyberguy.com)

Digital theft: The threat from smart home devices

  • report any violations Official government agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission
  • Obtain professional advice from a lawyer Before talking to law enforcement, especially if you are dealing with an identity theft crime, if being the victim of an identity theft crime prevents you from getting a job or housing
  • Alert all three credit bureaus and possibly place a fraud alert on your credit report
  • conduct your own background checkIf this is how you find out that your information has been used by criminals, ask for a copy.

If you are a victim of identity theft, it is important to take immediate action to mitigate the damage and prevent further harm.Also, here are some other scams Watch out for scams outside of the bank.

final thoughts

Always be vigilant and cautious when receiving an email or text message from your bank. Always verify the sender’s email address and content before taking any action. By following these simple steps and using antivirus software, you can protect yourself from bank scams and other online scams.

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Have you received any suspicious emails or text messages from your bank recently? Let us know at CyberGuy.com/contact.

For more tips from me, click “Subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report newsletter”free newsletter” link at the top of my CyberGuy.com website.

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