Fraudulent Emails Questions & Answers
In our continued effort to keep your financial information safe and secure, we would like to inform you about fraudulent emails. Here are some questions and answers you may find useful when trying to identify whether you've received a fraudulent email.
What is a fraudulent email?
A fraudulent (a.k.a. spoofing, imposter, or phishing email) is one that has been forged so it looks like a legitimate email from a particular organization (such as Meriwest). It is a way to trick you into providing sensitive personal information that can be used for identity theft.
It's often hard to detect a fraudulent email. That's because the email address of the sender often seems genuine (such as marketing@meriwest.com), as do the design and graphics. But there are signs to be aware of. For example, fraudulent emails often try to extract personal information from you in one of two ways:
- By luring you into providing it on the spot (i.e. by replying to the email)
- By including links to a site that tries to get you to disclose personal data
How do I report a spoof email?
Email us if you suspect that an email claiming to be from Meriwest is a fraud. We'll ask you to provide basic information about the email and to give us your contact information, so we can reach you if we need details.
How can I be sure that I'm dealing with Meriwest and not an imposter?
You can tell that you're dealing with Meriwest because:
- Meriwest will never send you an email asking for your passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information.
How can I protect myself?
We want your online experience to be enjoyable and worry-free. That's why Meriwest Online uses 128-bit secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption and other security procedures. We also want to make you aware of several simple security tips you can follow while shopping and banking online:
- Set up your user ID and password to get account information on Meriwest Online Banking by calling 877-637-4937. A Meriwest Representative will verify your account information and provide you with a temporary password. Once you log on with your temporary password, you are able to change it at any time.
- Act quickly if you suspect fraud. If you believe someone is trying to commit fraud by pretending to be Meriwest, please contact us immediately at 877-637-4937.
- Use strong passwords or personal identification numbers for your Internet accounts. Choose passwords that are difficult for others to guess, and use a different password for each of your online accounts. Use both letters and numbers and a combination of lower case and capital letters if the passwords or PINs are case sensitive.
- Leave suspicious sites. If you suspect that a website is not what it purports to be, leave the site immediately. Do not follow any of the instructions it presents.
- Be alert for scam emails. These may appear to come from a trusted business or friend, but actually are designed to trick you into downloading a virus or jumping to a fraudulent website and disclosing sensitive information.
- Don't reply to any email that requests your personal information. Be very suspicious of any email from a business or person that asks for your password, Social Security Number, or other highly sensitive information - or one that sends you personal information and asks you to update or confirm it.
- Open emails only when you know the sender. Be especially careful about opening an email with an attachment. Even a friend may accidentally send an email with a virus.
- Be careful before clicking on a link contained in an email or other message. The link may not be trustworthy.
- Do not send sensitive personal or financial information unless it is encrypted on a secure website. Regular emails are not encrypted and are more like sending a postcard.
- Do business only with companies you know and trust.
- Be aware! Phony "look-alike" websites are designed to trick consumers and collect their personal information. Make sure that websites on which you transact business post privacy and security statements, and review them carefully.
- Monitor your transactions. Review your order confirmations, credit card and bank statements as soon as you receive them to make sure you're being charged only for transactions you've made. Immediately report any irregularities in your Meriwest accounts by calling 877-637-4937.
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