Stop Before You Click: Email Fraud Awareness Tips
Phishing emails are one of the most common ways scammers try to steal personal information, login credentials, and money. They may look like they came from your bank, a delivery company, your employer, a streaming service, or even a government agency.
The goal is simple: get you to click before you think. That is why one of the best fraud-prevention habits is also one of the easiest: stop before you click.
At Anderson Brothers Bank, we encourage customers to use the Stop. Check. Protect. Approach any email that asks you to click a link, open an attachment, verify information, or act quickly.
Tip #1: Check the Real Sender Address
Scammers can make the display name look official, but the actual email address may reveal the truth. Look for misspellings, extra words, unfamiliar domains, or addresses that do not match the company’s official website.
Tip #2: Watch for Generic Greetings
Phishing emails often use greetings such as “Dear Customer” or “Dear Account Holder.” While not every generic message is a scam, it is a reason to slow down and carefully check the rest of the email.
Tip #3: Do Not Trust Links Automatically
Instead of clicking a link in an unexpected email, open a new browser window and type the official website yourself. Scam links may lead to fake login pages designed to collect usernames, passwords, or security codes.
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Stop. Check. Protect. If an email asks you to verify your account, reset a password, or confirm banking details, do not use the link in the message. Go directly to the official website or contact the company through a trusted source. |
Tip #4: Be Careful with Attachments
Unexpected attachments can carry malware, even when they appear to be invoices, shipping notices, PDFs, or office documents. Do not open attachments unless you are confident about the sender and were expecting the file.
Tip #5: Be Wary of Pressure
Urgent language is a common scam tactic. Messages that say your account will close, your funds are frozen, or your package will be lost unless you act immediately should be treated with caution.
Tip #6: Add Layers of Protection
Use spam filters, strong passwords, and multi-factor authentication when available. These steps cannot stop every scam, but they can make it harder for someone to access your accounts.
What to Do with a Suspicious Email
- Do not click links or open attachments.
- Mark the email as spam or phishing in your email platform.
- Report the message to the company being impersonated using official contact information.
- Delete the message after reporting.
- If the message claims to be from ABB, contact us directly using a trusted source.
ABB Is Here to Help
If an email claims to be from Anderson Brothers Bank and something feels wrong, pause before taking action. Contact us directly so we can help verify whether the message is legitimate.
Fraud prevention content is educational and does not guarantee prevention, recovery, or reimbursement. Customers should contact Anderson Brothers Bank directly via a trusted phone number, the official website, or a local branch if they believe their account or personal information may be at risk.
What is a phishing email?
A phishing email is a fraudulent message designed to trick you into clicking a harmful link, downloading malware, or sharing sensitive information such as passwords, account numbers, or verification codes.
How can I tell if an email is really from my bank?
Check the actual sender address, avoid clicking links, and contact the bank directly using a trusted phone number or website. ABB will never ask for your password, PIN, or full account number through an unsolicited email.
What happens if I click a phishing link?
A phishing link may send you to a fake website or attempt to download malware. If you click, do not enter information, close the page, run a security scan, change passwords from a trusted device, and contact your bank if account information may be at risk.
Are phishing emails easy to spot?
Not always. Some phishing emails are very convincing. Warning signs include mismatched sender addresses, urgent language, unexpected attachments, generic greetings, or links that do not match the company’s real website.
What should I do if I gave my information to a phishing site?
Act quickly. Change affected passwords, contact your bank, monitor accounts, consider a fraud alert or credit freeze if personal information was shared, and report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.