‘Phishing’ is one of the most common types of email fraud. It takes place when a perpetrator sends a fake email message that appears to come from a legitimate company to obtain personal and/or financial information.
A typical phishing email will direct recipients to click on a link that redirects them to a fake website that looks like the real website.There, recipients are prompted to disclose personal details, such as credit card or account information. This data is then used for fraudulent purposes.Sometimes, phishing emails request personal details via reply or contain attachments, which may contain potential email viruses.
Typical signs of a phishing email include:
Urgency
Phishing emails tend to create a false sense of urgency,with messages such as ‘Your Account Is Suspended’ or ‘Urgent: Financial suspension – log in to pay’. Scammers will always adapt their techniques to make their phishing emails look as legitimate as possible.
Errors and Mistakes
Phishing emails often include spelling errors or grammatical mistakes. If you spot numerous spelling/grammar mistakes or a mix of different languages in the same email, it’s likely a phishing email.
Inconsistencies
A phishing email will also be typically written entirely or partially in a language that doesn’t match your own. You may also find that the email originates from a domain different to the one it claims to represent. You can always check the real sender in the ‘From:’ field of your email client and check the address of the sender located inside the arrowheads (‘<’, ‘>’).
Please note that A2 Pool Resort will never send you an email requesting your username, password,credit card, social security, or national insurance numbers. If you receive an email that looks like it is from us, but asks you for this sensitive information, it is a fraudulent email.
If you suspect you have received a fraudulent email claiming to be from A2 Pool Resort, do not respond, and do not click on any links or open attachments contained within the email.
If you believe ‘phishers’ have obtained access to your personal or financial information, we recommend that you:
1. Change your account password (if applicable).
2. Scan your device with an updated malicious software scanner. Not all phishing attacks steal passwords – some can have malicious software embedded in a ‘file’ that may be malware, spyware,ransomware, or a virus. It is very important to scan your device if you think you clicked on a malicious link or downloaded unrecognized files.
3. Contact credit reporting services and have a fraud alert attached to your credit report file.
4. Contact us immediately to let us know that your account may have been compromised by a phishing attack.
Please be aware that the perpetrator may attempt to use your information to establish accounts or obtain credit at other businesses in their name or yours. We will not be able to secure your information and we will not be liable for any resulting breach of any law if you reveal your password to anyone.
