Internet Scams

A rapidly growing form of Internet fraud is a practice known as "phishing." Phishing is the practice of sending fraudulent e-mail messages to addresses requesting them to supply confidential information. The e-mail is disguised to look like a request from a legitimate organization such as a thrift, a credit card company, or a retail merchant with which recipients may already have a business relationship. Often the message includes a warning regarding a problem related to the recipient's account and requests the recipient to respond by providing specific confidential information. The format of the e-mail typically includes proprietary logos and branding, a "From" line disguised to appear as if the message came from a legitimate sender, and a link to a website or a link to an e-mail address. All of these features are designed to assure the recipient that the e-mail is from a legitimate business source when in fact, the information will be sent to the perpetrator.

Citizens Bank & Trust, Inc. will not solicit confidential or sensitive information from our customers via e-mail. In situations where we do contact you via e-mail regarding information that we may need, we will personalize the e-mail using your name and you will be instructed to contact us in person or by phone.

If you suspect that you are a victim of Internet fraud, in regard to your accounts at Citizens Bank & Trust, Inc., contact us immediately.