Protect Yourself From Email Fraud
Ever get an e-mail that was threatening, harsh and wanted you to act urgently? It may have read something like this:
"We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below and confirm your account numbers."
It sounds official, doesn't it? But thousands of official-looking emails go out every day from high-tech criminals looking to get your personal info so they can break into your bank, retirement and investment accounts. These fake-email scams are known as "phishing" (pronounced "fishing").
How to spot a phishing scam
- Does the email ask you to act immediately? Many fraud emails try to scare or entice you into acting immediately. They may tell you you'll be locked out of your account or say you'll win money if you log in now. Don't fall for it.
- Does the website link included look legitimate? If the email contains a link to a website, hover your mouse over it. The web address should appear, often at the bottom of the email. If the link is a group of numbers, contains misspellings, or is a web address that doesn't look like it belongs to a company, it is likely a fake email. Never click on a link from a suspicious or unknown sender.
- Does the email ask you to update your personal information? Many phishing emails are designed to trick you into revealing your personal information. If the email looks suspicious, then delete it.
- Does the email contain misspellings or grammatical errors? Legitimate companies will not send out emails with misspelling or grammar errors. If yours does, it is likely a phish attempt.
Take an active role in protecting your account
If you receive an email that may or may not be legitimate, you can help to protect your account information by following these steps:
- Type (or enter) the company's web address into your web browser. If you feel like the message is worth investigating further, don't click the link in the email. This may cause spyware or a virus to install on your computer. Instead, type the address into your browser yourself.
- Protect your information. Regular email is not a safe way to send information. Think of it like sending a postcard – don't put your Social Security number, credit card or any personal information on it. And if you are on a website that you're not sure about, don't share your personal information. It's not worth the risk.
- Keep track of your money. Review your account statements at least every month to check for any evidence of fraud.
- Contact Nationwide. If you think you have received a scam Nationwide email, let us know. We investigate phishing and other types of fraud related to Nationwide as we learn about them. Forward the email to phishing@nationwide.com or call 1-877 On Your Side® (1-877-669-6877) anytime.
