Spotting Fraudulent Emails:
How to Stay Safe
At Gulf Coast Business Bank your security is our top priority. Cybercriminals often use fake emails (phishing scams) to trick people into giving away sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or financial details. These emails may look like they’re from your bank, a government agency, or a trusted company — but they’re designed to deceive.
Common Signs of a Fraudulent Email
Watch out for the following red flags when checking your inbox:
1. Urgent or Threatening Language
- “Your account will be suspended unless you act now.”
- “Unauthorized login attempt detected.”
- Scammers create panic to make you react without thinking.
2. Suspicious Sender Address
- Look closely at the sender’s email address. It may look similar to a legitimate one but contain subtle misspellings (e.g., support@bannk-secure.com instead of support@bank.com).
- “Dear customer” or “Dear user” instead of your name.
- Banks and trusted organizations usually address you by your full name.
- Do not open attachments or click on links from unknown sources.
- Hover over links (without clicking) to see the real destination.
- Legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive information (like your password or PIN) via email.
6. Spelling and Grammar Errors
- Many phishing emails contain poor grammar, awkward phrasing, or misspellings.
Steps to Take If You Suspect a Fraudulent Email
1. Do Not Click Any Links or Download Attachments
- Even a single click can compromise your device.
2. Verify the Email
- Contact the organization directly using a phone number or website you know is real—not one provided in the email.
3. Report the Email
- Forward suspicious emails to [Bank’s Fraud Email Address].
- You can also report phishing to: reportphishing@apwg.org or phishing@irs.gov if tax-related.
4. Delete the Email
- After reporting, delete it from your inbox and trash folder.
How We Help Protect You
At GCBB we use multiple layers of security to protect your information. We will never:
- Ask for your full PIN or password via email
- Send emails that require urgent account verification
- Ask you to click on a link to confirm personal details
If you ever have doubts, about an email from us, call us immediately at (239) 345-2265, or visit us at Metro Parkway.