Keeping you safe and informed

What is a phishing scam and how can you protect yourself?

A phishing scam is a worldwide scam.

Hackers who attempt to take/steal bank account login passwords, bank account details, or credit card numbers in order to carry out unauthorized activities such as stealing information or stealing money.

The most common method for this scam is to send a malicious link via email or text message (SMS) that directs the customer to a website or an app that impersonates the bank's website.

The websites and apps of financial institutions, including banks, are a popular target for impersonation.

The account details and passwords entered in the phishing sites or apps will be used by the hacker to perform the fraudulent acts, which will be realized in the theft of funds and/or information.

These hackers are able to commit phishing scams, among other reasons, because of lack of awareness and lack of attention, so we ask you to take the precautions detailed below and be alert.

Mercantile Bank acts to locate and deal with phishing sites and also works to assist customers who have been victims of this type of fraud.
Attention!

Mercantile Bank will never direct you to an identification page asking you to enter personal details, passwords or payment methods.

Other suspicious signs indicating a phishing scam:

• An email/SMS containing “stressful” information about an event that may occur if you do not take the requested actions in the body of the message. Such a message can include, for example, a warning about closing an account, an alert regarding denial of a service that you need, a warning about possible leaks of your personal information to the network, and so on.
• An unusual email/SMS, from an unknown source, sometimes with garbled text or with misspellings.
• An email/SMS asking you to click a link or URL that appears to be a Mercantile Bank or other familiar website URL and enter passwords or personal information.

How can you protect yourself?

• Pay attention to messages that appear suspicious. A suspicious message can be any message you did not expect, from an unfamiliar sender, and sometimes even from a familiar sender who does not routinely send you messages.
• Pay attention to messages written in inarticulate language and that contain misspellings, especially messages that try to pressure you. Avoid accessing links you receive in emails or SMS messages from unknown or suspicious sources.
• Be cautious and alert to websites and messages asking for personal information and/or payment details.
• Avoid providing personal details and means of identification in response to an email, SMS message, or telephone call you have received, which you have not initiated.
• If you want to access your account on the Bank's website – type the URL independently, and avoid typing personal details on a site you have reached by clicking on a link you received.
• Be sure to perform an orderly logoff at the end of each session on the website and/or the app.
• In the event of suspected hostile activity in your account, change your password without delay!

Have you encountered suspicious signs?
Report them immediately to your bank branch or to the online customer support center at: 03-9439343