Don't Click those links in text messages

What does it mean when I receive a link in a text message, email, or instant message from someone that I may or may not know?

Phishing is a type of cyberattack that uses fraudulent emails, text messages, phone calls or websites to trick people into sharing sensitive data, downloading malware or otherwise exposing themselves to cybercrime.

Some examples: Toll Bill Scams, Tracking Package Scam, Law Enforcement Scams, “You’ve Won a Prize Scam”, Verify Your Purchase Scam, Confirm your identity scam, etc.

These messages may contain a link for you to click that will take you to an illegitimate website where fraudsters can collect your private information.

What if I get a text message from Austin Bank?

Call the bank if you receive any messages involving links.  You can reach our Customer Care Team at 800-644-9275.

Austin Bank will never initiate contact with you and then ask for sensitive or personal information including PINs, social security numbers, card verification codes (CVC), or online banking credentials.

When will the Bank send me a text?

Austin Bank has a secondary authentication process where we will send you one-time passcodes for some purchases being done online.

We may also send you a text message to confirm whether or not a charge was transacted by you, or if it was fraud.  Those text messages contain no links, and require a simple Y or N for response. 

If we suspect some sort of debit card fraud we may ask you to verify or call us but we will not ask for credentials.

How to prevent being a victim

• Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails or text messages.  Links, if clicked, can download malware onto your computer, smartphone, tablet, or whatever electronic device you're using at the time, allowing cyber thieves to steal your identity. Be cautious even with an email that looks familiar; it could be fake. Instead, delete it if it looks unfamiliar and block the sender.
• Verify phone calls.  If you receive a call and aren’t sure if the company or person you’re speaking with is legitimate, hang up. Search for a verified number on the company website. If someone calls claiming to be from your bank and you feel uncomfortable, hang up and call the number on the back of your card before providing any personal or financial information.
• Protect your computer and cell phone by using security software. Set the software to update automatically so it will deal with any new security threats.
• Protect your accounts by using multi-factor authentication. Some accounts offer extra security by requiring two or more credentials to log in to your account. Multi-factor authentication makes it harder for scammers to log in to your accounts if they do get your username and password.

What do I do if I clicked an unknown link?

• Don’t enter any personal information, usernames or passwords.
• Have your device scanned for malware or virus.  You can do this by an authorized app or contact your local computer technician.
• You can report phishing attempts to the FTC - ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Block or restrict calls on your cell phone
  • On an Android device:
    • Click on the text message to open
    • Click on the 3 dots (right upper corner) to open the info menu
    • Click on “Block & Report Spam” option
    • A message appears and asks if you want to block that number
    • Click YES
       
  • IPhone
    • Open the text message
    • At the top of the message it will show the persons phone number.  “click” the phone number
    • On the next screen on the far right there is an icon that says “info”.  Click the info button.
    • On the next screen at the bottom there is a line that says “Block Caller” Click “Block Caller” and they should not get any more texts from that number.

If you have disclosed sensitive information in a phishing attack, you should also contact one of the three major credit bureaus and discuss whether you need to place a fraud alert on your file, which will help prevent thieves from opening a new account in your name.  Here is the contact information for each bureau's fraud division.

Equifax
800-525-6285

Experian
888-397-3742
 

TransUnion
800-680-7289