To protect yourself against email and Online fraud, be very alert to and cautious of unsolicited emails you receive from companies you know or do business with, as well as businesses you may not have a current business relationship with. Internet fraudsters rely on people's natural curiosity by sending emails with enticing subject lines or Internet links.

While fraudulent emails can be difficult to recognize, beware of any
email that:

• Request that you click a link to a spoof Web site, one that looks like a real company Web site, including the real company's graphics and design. Since fraudulent email may even use exact wording for the real company's Web site, it's difficult to determine a spoof Web site. If you have any doubts, stop, do not continue and please contact your local Islanders Bank branch or send an email* to mybank@islandersbank.com
  
  *    IMPORTANT:  Internet email is not secure. Unlike Online Banking, it does not use SSL encryption. Please do not send sensitive information, i.e. your account numbers, credit card numbers, social security numbers or other account information via email. To send emails containing account information, use the Secure Message Center available via Islanders Bank's Online Banking.

• Ask you to give, confirm, or update sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, Access IDs, passwords, PINs (Personal Identification Number) or account numbers.

• Use Pop-Up windows for entering or confirming personal data.

• Have a sense of urgency to give the information immediately, citing a specific thing that might happen. For example, your account may be closed or temporarily suspended.

• Have spelling errors and/or bad grammar. Intentional spelling errors may allow the email to get through spam filters used by ISPs (Internet Service Providers).

Even if you don't enter your personal data, by clicking on a link embedded in a fraudulent email, you may inadvertently download tracking software or viruses that track your keystrokes to gain your personal information. The best defense is not to enter any personal information at a Web site you link to from an unsolicited email.

Learn ways to protect yourself as a consumer at www.ftc.gov/sentinel.

Visit www.fdic.gov and lean more about Phishing Scams.

Learn more about fraud prevention by visiting www.fakechecks.org.