Website Spoofing: A Menace To Cybersecurity

What is a Spoofed Website?

A spoofed website is a fake site designed to look like a trusted brand's website, used by fraudsters to scam visitors. These sites are often part of larger scams involving spoofed emails and texts.

What to Look For

  • URL Examination: Check for spelling errors, extra characters, or unnecessary words.
  • Security: Look for "HTTPS" and a padlock symbol in the address bar of your internet browser.
  • Web Design: Ensure the site matches the brand's usual design, colors, and logo. Be on the lookout for blurry images or repeated text.
  • Source: Consider how you arrived at the web site. Was it an email link, a text link, a search engine like Google, or did you type the address in yourself. Trusted sources are key.

What is at Stake

  • Money: Fake sites may offer deals that are too good to be true, leading to financial loss or stolen credit card details.
  • Identity Theft: Entering credentials on a spoofed site can give fraudsters access to your accounts.
  • Malware and Viruses: Clicking links or downloading clickable content on a spoofed site can infect your device with harmful software.

Reporting a Spoofed Website

If you encounter a spoofed website, especially one impersonating Workers Credit Union, record the web address, take a screenshot, and report it to your local branch or the Member Contact Center at 800-221-4020.

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