Page 16 - Builder Brief May 2024 Issue

CYBER SECURITY
SCAMMERS TARGETING HBA WEBSITES & MEMBERS
GSABA Members Warned to be Vigilent
NAHB has brought it to our attention that some local associations have been recently targeted by phishing scams, in which the perpetrators have accessed member data from HBA websites and emailed renewal notices to their membership using the HBA’s name and/or logo. The scammers are attempting to fraudulently collect your members’ sensitive information and solicit fraudulent membership dues payments.
GSABA is working with NAHB and is tracking this situation. To protect yourself, you should disregard any suspicious emails and, if you have any suspicion that the email is fraudulent, you should contact GSABA directly.
See below for common warning signs of suspicious emails.To help reduce the risk of fraud, please familiarize yourself with the following information.
What Is a Phishing Attack?
Phishing attacks aim to trick you into sharing your passwords, account numbers, and sensitive information, and gain access to your accounts. A phishing message may look like it comes from a trusted organization, to lure you to click on a dangerous link or pass along confidential information.
Common warning signs of phishing attacks include:
» A text message or email that you didn’t expect or that comes from a person or service you don’t know or use.
» Spelling errors or poor grammar.
» Mismatched links (a seemingly legitimate link sends you to an unexpected address). Often, but not always, you can spot this by hovering your mouse over the link without clicking on it, so that your browser displays the actual destination.
» Shortened or odd links or addresses.
» An email request for your account number or personal information (legitimate providers should never send you emails or texts asking for your password, account number, personal information, or answers to security questions).
» Offers or messages that seem too good to be true, express great urgency, or are aggressive and scary.
» Strange or mismatched sender addresses.
» Anything else that makes you feel uneasy.
How to Report Identify Theft and Cybersecurity Incidents
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has valuable sites for reporting phishing and identity theft scams:
» The FTC’s IdentityTheft.gov website should be used to report identity theft.
» The FTC’s Consumer Information website (https:// consumer.ftc.gov/articles/protect-your-personal- information-and-data) has resources for consumer where they can learn how to protect themselves online and avoid phishing attacks.
Please call or email NAHB General Counsel Abby Adams, aadams@nahb.org or 202-266-8345, with any questions, concerns or additional information.
16 MAY 2024 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION