What is phishing?

Phishing is a type of fraud where a scammer tries to trick you into giving away sensitive information. It can happen by phone or email.

For example, let’s say someone calls you up, tells you they’re from Pacific Crest, and says they need you to verify your credit card number. Maybe they explain it as some routine procedure; maybe they scare you by making it sound like an emergency. Don’t fall for it. If you cooperate with their request, you’re giving away the keys to your account. (Pacific Crest will never ask you for sensitive info like credit card or PIN numbers.)

If it’s an email scam, you might receive a message with a Pacific Crest logo on it, some kind of note urging you to sign in, and a big login button. To be on the safe side, never click a login button from your email. If you do, you could trigger a download that infects your computer with a virus. Or, if it’s a phishing attempt, you’ll end up on a login screen that looks like Pacific Crest, but is actually run by a fraudster. If you enter your username and password, you’re giving them access to your account.

Staying safe from phishing attempts is easy once you know what to look for. Rule number one, never click a login button from your email. If you want to log into online banking, open a new tab in your browser and load our website yourself. Rule number two, never tell anyone your sensitive account information. There’s no scenario in which we’ll ever ask you for it — so be suspicious of anyone who does.