"Phishing" is an Internet scam that uses fraudulent e-mails to deceive consumers into disclosing their credit card numbers, financial account information, and other sensitive information.

Internet scammers send deceptive e-mails pretending to be from a company the victim has a relationship with. These e-mails can look quite convincing, with company logos and banners copied from actual websites. The e-mail requests that the recipient update or validate his or her billing information in order to keep his or her account active. The e-mail directs intended victims to a look-alike website of the business, tricking them into responding to what looks like a legitimate request. Victims unknowingly submit their financial information to the scammers, who then use it to make purchases and obtain credit.

If you get an e-mail warning that your account will be shut down or suspended unless you confirm your personal information, do not reply or click on the link in the e-mail. Instead, contact the company named in the e-mail using a telephone number or website address you know to be genuine. Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union would never initiate an e-mail asking for your personal information.

Please call us at 586.263.8800, option 6 or forward the email to reportphish@msgcu.org if you feel uncertain about the validity of an e-mail you have received from us or if you believe that your MSGCU financial information has been stolen. To avoid becoming a victim of a phishing scam, please review our tips for spotting a fraudulent e-mail.

If you receive a fraudulent e-mail, report the suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission by forwarding the e-mail to spam@uce.gov. If you believe that your personal information has been stolen, file your complaint at www.ftc.gov, and then visit the FTC's Identity Theft website (www.ftc.gov/idtheft) to learn how to minimize your risk of damage from identity theft.

Visit www.ftc.gov/spam to learn other ways to avoid e-mail scams and deal with deceptive spams.