Beware of "Phishing" Scams

Beware of "Phishing" Scams


Many companies that conduct business on the Internet have become the target of a form of online fraud called "phishing." This involves using fraudulent emails or pop-up Web pages that appear to be sent by a business or organization that you may deal with. These emails or pages are not legitimate and are designed to deceive you into sharing personal or account information. When you respond to these scams, you jeopardize the security of your accounts and your personal information. You should never provide your personal or account information in response to unsolicited emails or pop-up Web pages.

These fraudulent emails often contain links that appear legitimate but then direct respondents to a different web site. When visiting a web site, especially via a link in an email, it is a good practice to check your browser's address bar to validate that the URL is legitimate and check the web site's security certificate prior to sharing information.

Fraudulent emails or SMS text messages branded as AAA are being sent to recipients congratulating them on "winning" or having an "expiring offer for a car emergency kit." AAA did not send these emails, and they could potentially be malicious. Do not open or click any links in these emails or texts, and delete them immediately. Stay safe, and remember, AAA will never ask for sensitive information via unsolicited messages. If you have any concerns, contact us directly at (610) 374-4531. 

To protect yourself, be on the lookout for the following characteristics of phishing emails:

  • Urgent calls to action: be wary of emails claiming your account is compromised or that you must act immediately.
  • Generic greetings: legitimate companies usually address you by name, not with generic greetings like “Dear sir/madam.”
  • Mismatched domains: check the sender’s email address for subtle misspellings or different domains (e.g., micros0ft.com instead of microsoft.com).
  • Suspicious links and attachments: hover over links to see the actual URL, and never open attachments from unknown senders.
  • Poor grammar and spelling: professional companies usually have polished writing and editing.

For more information on "phishing" scams, please visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt127.shtm.