ducate youself on Phishing. Memories of going to the lake in my youth and tossing in a line are familiar to many of us, however, today phishing is a growing concept that none of us want to encounter. Phishing is like the cyber equivalent of fishing. Instead of baited hooks, cybercriminals cast out generic emails to thousands of addresses, promising fortunes if recipients pay upfront fees or taxes using gift cards or even cryptocurrency. These messages have evolved—they’re more sophisticated, believable, and often tied to current events (like health crises, natural disasters or even more recently Paycheck Protection Plan loans provided during COVID). Scammers even research their targets via social media to craft personalized, convincing messages. In 2023, there were almost 5 million reported phishing incidents, making it the worst year for phishing on record. So, just as in fishing, don’t be the catch of the day! Stay vigilant, spot those phishing emails, and keep your digital tackle box secure. The Silver Lake Bank team is constantly trying to better educate the public about these threats through our social media and website posts and other publications. Just when we think we’ve seen it all, the criminals come up with a new twist on an old scheme. The bad guys are always going to be out there hoping they can get a nibble from you so they can try to set the hook and reel you in. Phishing scams are a common tactic used by scammers to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as bank account numbers, passwords, or Social Security numbers. Here’s how to protect yourself: 1. Verify the Sender: When you receive an email, especially from sources like your bank or utility company, check the sender’s address. Official Silver Lake Bank emails, for instance, always end in @silverlakebank.com. Be skeptical of any other sources. 2. Avoid Clicking Unsolicited Links: If you receive an unsolicited email asking you to update your information, never click on any links within it. Instead, iif it is bank-related, call your bank’s official customer service line to verify the request. If it is SLB-related, we can be reached at 785.232.0102 3. Protect Your Identity: Never share personal information like your social security number or address publicly or in response to suspicious emails or calls. When in doubt, reach out directly to the official source (such as Silver Lake Bank) using verified contact information. 4. Report Suspicious Emails: If you encounter a suspicious email claiming to be from Silver Lake Bank, report it to SLB, law enforcement, and other relevant authorities at 785.232.0102 immediately. Remember, vigilance is key to keeping your information safe! We value your safety above everything else and will continue to do all we can to educate and protect your finances.
