Avoid Phishing

Stop, look and call!

The Department of Justice recommends following three simple rules when you see emails or websites that may be part of a phishing scheme: Stop, Look and Call.

Stop

Phishers typically include exciting or frightening (but false) statements in emails with one purpose in mind: they want you to react immediately and impulsively. Resist! No matter how exciting, attractive or worrisome the statements or claims in the email seem, take time to check out the information closely before acting.

Look

Always look closely at any claims made in an email. Think about whether the claims make sense and be highly suspicious if asked to share personal information such as account numbers, user names or passwords. Old National Bank and other legitimate financial institutions already have our clients’ account numbers and will never ask for sensitive personal information via email.

If you receive any email claiming you’ve won a prize or are entitled to receive some special “deal,” there is reason to be highly suspicious, especially if you’re asked to share confidential personal information. You’re much better off erring on the side of caution, which leads to point #3.

Call

When you receive a suspicious email that claims to have originated from a legitimate company or financial institution, call or email that company or institution – using a phone number or email address you to know to be valid (not a phone number in the email!) -- and investigate. Credit card accountholders can call the toll-free customer assistance number on the back of their card and bank customers should use a phone number listed on one of their bank statements.