Consumer scams continue escalating across the country and they can spike during the holiday season, especially phishing attacks, which feature fraudulent phone calls, texts and emails. In fact, phishing was the #1 cybercrime in 2020, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation, with more than 241,000 incidents reported that year.

Here’s how to spot fake communications:

Generic greetings
Phishing messages often begin with impersonal salutations such as “Dear Consumer” or “Hello Member” that are definitely suspect. Those from legitimate senders use your full name listed on accounts.

Attachments
These can contain malware, so never open them unless you’re 100% sure they’re legitimate.

Sense of urgency
Don’t heed pleas for you to take fast action or warning you of problems that will compromise your account status or financial standing.

Fake URLs
If the web address is scrambled or looks suspect, it’s wiser not to click on anything and leave the site.

Asking for sensitive info
Never provide personal, credit card, or account information via email, text, or phone.

Poorly written
Typos, misspellings, and incorrect grammar are common in phishing schemes.

If you receive one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov and send a copy to phishing@americafirst.com.

Remember, America First and other reputable institutions will never contact you and ask for your account number or PIN over the phone, via email, or by any other channel.

Visit americafirst.com/security and ftc.gov for more information.