How to Avoid E-mail Fraud


First Command Bank will never ask for sensitive financial or personal information, such as account numbers, passwords and Social Security numbers, in an e-mail message. First Command sends e-mail only to clients and customers who have authorized us to, and only for the following purposes:

  • To inform clients who have asked for periodic updates on financial services
  • To respond to previously received e-mail requests
  • To inform clients of upcoming events and/or changes related to their financial accounts and services

Beware of e-mail “spoofing,” “phishing” and identity theft


Be aware that e-mail “spoofing” — the forgery of an e-mail header so that the message appears to come from someone other than the actual source — is an often-used technique of online impostors. Unsolicited “spoof” e-mails requesting your financial account credentials or personal information are a typical ploy in  “phishing” — fraudulent techniques used by these impostors to “fish” for, or lure you into supplying, such information.


Account numbers, passwords and Social Security numbers are also often sought by impostors to commit identity theft, which can damage your credit and cost you countless hours and dollars in the effort to restore your good name.


How to protect yourself


  • Ensure that you have a firewall, system security software, anti-virus software and spyware-detection software installed on your computer — and keep it up-to-date.
  • Be wary of e-mail from senders you don’t know. Don’t click on links to web sites in unsolicited e-mail, and don’t open attachments to unsolicited e-mail. When in doubt, delete the mail without opening it.
  • If you receive an e-mail message that warns you with little or no notice that your financial account will be shut down unless you confirm your financial or personal information, do not respond to or comply with the request.

To report suspicious e-mail messages


  • If you receive an e-mail message claiming to be from First Command Bank and you are uncertain about its authenticity, call us at 888.763.7600. You may also report suspicious e-mail messages to abuse@firstcommand.com.
  • If you receive an e-mail message claiming to be from a company other than First Command and you are uncertain about its authenticity, contact the company using a telephone number or web site address you know to be genuine.
  • You may also forward suspicious e-mail to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov.