What is phishing?

A form of Identity Theft - typically an e-mail is sent to you, or a pop-up box appears on your screen that looks like it comes from a legitimate company telling you that you must update your records and verify your username and password. The site is really a place to collect that information from you and steal your identity, money, records and whatever they can.

Knowledge is the most effective preventive mechanism today - Legitimate companies do not ask you for your login information by e-mail.

Beware of these lures to get you to reply:

• Threatening to close your account unless you provide personal information immediately.
• Claiming to need updated personal information on your account.
• Offering a service that can only be provided with your personal information. 

Note: First Community Bank of America will never request your confidential or account access information via email. Customers are urged to follow several basic steps to protect themselves from phishing schemes

If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from First Community Bank of America, do not respond and report it immediately by calling (727)546-9001 and by forwarding the actual phishing emails to the FTC at spam@uce.gov.

Never respond to a request for information using the links provided in email. Close your email and go directly to the company's website before entering any information. Otherwise, contact the company's customer service department and suggest that they mail you a request.

Finally, if you feel you may have supplied your personal information in response to fraudulent email or website, call First Community Bank of America immediately for assistance at (727)546-9001.