Ghosts and goblins aren’t the only threats this Halloween—cybercriminals are, too. At TopLine, we protect your money and your peace of mind. Stay vigilant against fraudsters.
The Phantom Phisher
The Trick:
You receive an email that appears to be from your credit union, a retailer, or the IRS. It warns of “urgent account activity” and urges you to click a link or download an attachment.
Example Email:
The Treat:
Legitimate organizations won’t request personal info by email.
- Enter TopLine’s website address yourself instead of clicking links.
- Inspect sender addresses—slight changes are red flags.
The Vishing Vampire
The Trick:
You get a call from “Your Credit Union.” A calm but urgent voice says:
“We’ve noticed suspicious charges on your debit card. Please confirm your full card number and PIN so we can stop the fraud.”
The Treat:
“My bank account’s been frozen, and I just need $500 to get home. I promise I’ll pay you back.”
Or they message you on social media:
“You’ve won a $1,000 gift card from \[Business Name\]! Click here to claim your prize!”
The Treat:
“Your Norton Security renewal has been charged $399.99. Call 1-800-555-0132 to dispute this charge.”
After you call, they offer a refund—but ask for remote access or online banking details.
The scariest thing this season isn’t in your closet—it’s in your inbox.
Stay safe, stay smart, and have a fang-tastic Halloween!
