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WEBSITE SPOOFING
Website spoofing is the act of creating a fake website to mislead individuals into sharing sensitive information.  Spoofed website are typically made to look exactly like a legitimate website published by a trusted organization. Here are some important prevention tips for avoiding website spoofing attacks:
  • Pay attention to the web address (URL) of websites.  A website may look legitimate, but the URL may have a variation in spelling or use a different domain.

  • If you are suspicious of a website, close it an contact the company directly

  • Do not click links on social networking sites, pop-up windows, or non-trusted websites.  Links can take you to a different website than their labels indicate.  Typing an address in your browser is a safer alternative.  Only give sensitive information to websites using a secure connection.  Verify the web address begins with https://” (the “s” is for secure) rather than just “http://”.

  • Avoid using websites when your browser displays certificate errors or warnings.
PHISHING
Phishing is when an attacker attempts to acquire information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in a electronic communication.  Phishing messages often direct the recipient to a spoof website.  Phishing attacks are typically carried out through email, instant messaging, telephone calls, and text messages (SMS).
  • The simplest way to steal anyone’s banking information is to steal their mail.  Enroll in E-Statements to stop receiving paper statements in the mail that could potentially get stolen from your mailbox.

  • Signing up for Messenger alerts allows you to receive account activity updates by either text message or email so that you can be informed as soon as fraudulent activity is hitting your account.

  • Delete email and text messages that ask you to confirm or provide sensitive information.  Legitimate companies don’t ask for sensitive information through email or text messages.

  • Beware of visiting website addresses sent to you in a unsolicited message.

  • Even if you feel the message is legitimate, type web addresses into your browser or use bookmarks instead of clicking links contained in messages.

  • Try to independently verify any details given in the message directly with the company.

  • Utilize anti-phishing features available in your email client and/or web browser.

  • Utilize an email SPAM filtering solution to help prevent phishing emails from being delivered.

  • Do not open attachments received from unknown senders or unexpected attachments from known senders.

  • Be cautious of the amount of personal information you make publicly available through social networking sites and other methods.  The more information publicly available about you, the easier it is for attackers to craft more convincing phishing messages.
REPORT FRAUDULENT OR SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
Contact us immediately if you suspect you have fallen victim to one of the above social engineering attacks and have disclosed information concerning your Lone Star State Bank accounts.

Call us at 806-771-7717 or visit your local Lone Star State Bank branch location.

Regularly monitoring your account activity is a good way to detect fraudulent activity.  If you notice unauthorized transactions under your account, notify us immediately.

To learn more about securing your information visit any of the following websites:

ONGUARDONLINE.GOV

STAYSAFEONLINE.ORG

BBB.ORG/DATA-SECURITY

US-CERT.GOV