For more information or to speak with a Financial Education Specialist, please contact us at FinancialEducationAFB@afbank.com.
At Armed Forces Bank, the security of your personal information and accounts is our top priority. Fraudulent texts or emails may appear to be from Armed Forces Bank because the impostor's messages may look just a little too realistic. Among other tricks, they may make the communication look like it’s from Armed Forces Bank when it’s not.
Follow these tips to learn how to spot these scams and protect your personal info from fraudulent activity:
1. Look beyond the logo.
To make fraudulent websites or emails seem real, scammers will often include images and logos of legitimate companies. They also often convey a sense of urgency, stating that if you fail to verify, update, or provide your account or personal information, your account access will be suspended. That’s why it’s very important to not give out your information and look beyond the logo.
2. Type, don't click.
If you do happen to open a suspicious email, be sure to not click on any links. Clicking on the links could unknowingly download spyware or a virus to your computer. Even if you think the email is legitimate, type the web address into your browser instead of click any links. If the email is from a company you do business with, use a bookmark you've already created to visit its website.
3. Be suspicious of any email that requests your authentication, asks for personal information, or says there is a problem with your Armed Forces Bank accounts.
Occasionally we send out emails with information on special offers or new products and services. Any link in these emails should lead you to legitimate pages on the afbank.com website. If one of our domain names (afbank.com, ecom.dfckc.com, or afbank.mortgagewebcenter.com) is not in the web browser's address field, it's not our website.
Do not reply by email if you receive an email like this. Instead, log in to Digital Banking and send us a message. Or, call or visit a branch.
4. Email headers can be forged easily, so don’t trust them.
5. Avoid filling out forms within emails.
You can't know for sure where all the data is being sent, and the info can make a number of stops on the way to the end recipient. Instead, call or visit the website of the company cited in the email.
6. Always log out from websites or secure areas of websites (like Digital Banking online or on your mobile phone) where you used an ID and password to enter.
7. Make sure the security features of your computer software are up to date. This includes your web browser (see our list of approved web browsers below).
Software companies release security updates for their products on an ongoing basis. To learn more about keeping your computer’s security up to date, get tips and other info from the National Cyber Security Alliance.
Here's a list of our approved web browsers:
- Apple Safari 6.0
- Apple Safari 7.0
- Apple Safari 8.0
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 11.0
- Mozilla Firefox
- Opera
8. Use antivirus software, and keep the virus lists up to date.
9. Don’t trust pop-up windows that ask for personal info.
Armed Forces Bank will never request your personal information in a pop-up window.
10. Do not open attachments.
Other than in instances where Armed Forces Bank deems the content of an email message as warranting encryption for security purposes, we do not send email attachments.