what is phishing?

Phishing is a common scam, which typically involves an email or text message request that urges you to update your account information immediately.  Often times the email or text will have a direct link to a web page for you to confirm information such as account numbers, social security numbers and other confidential information.  Some of your personal information may already be filled in thus making the request seem legitimate.  You can avoid becoming a victim by understanding and following these tips.

• Never provide your detailed personal or financial information to an unsolicited telephone call, fax, letter, email or text message.
• Do not give your password to an unsolicited request.  Financial institutions do not verify this information via the internet.
• Use SPAM filters to help reduce the number of fraudulent email's received
• Do not be fooled by the financial institution's logos or links to their web page being present in an email.  It is very easy for thieves to create links
  to legitimate web sites.
• If you believe that the request is legitimate, contact the institution looking for the information directly.  Use a local or nationwide directory to obtain
  the phone number.  Do not use the number given on the initial request.
• Review all account statements on a regular basis to monitor any suspicious activity.

Please Note:  Rhinebeck Savings Bank will never send you an unsolicited email notification or text message requesting your user name, password or other personal information for any reason.

Never respond to emails or texts requesting personal information or "updates" to your account.  Some emails provide links to fake or "phisher" websites that look like legitimate companies, but are actually links to fraudulent sites designed to steal your personal information.

The best protection against these scams is not to respond to any email or text asking for personal or account information.

Should you have any reason to believe that you have provided information through an unauthorized solicitation, contact our Customer Solutions
Center immediately at 845-229-8800, option 3.   You should also contact the three major credit bureaus to request a fraud alert be placed on your
credit report.

Equifax 1-800-685-1111            Experian 1-888-397-3742            TransUnion 1-800-888-4213