In this scam, victims are redirected to imposter Web sites when they type in valid Web addresses. Hackers are able to do this by exploiting a shortcut some Internet Service Providers have instituted to speed up Web browsing.

To protect yourself, make sure that the page you land on (if you will be providing any sensitive information to the site, such as credit card numbers) is a secure Web page that uses encryption to protect data transfer. The Web address for secure Web pages begins with "https" rather than "http".

Tools like NetCraft Toolbar and McAfee SiteAdvisor can help you identify websites that are not legitimate and are available for download at no cost to you. [NOTE: Without limiting the generality of similar terms contained in our Legal Notices, HANCOCK BANK DOES NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY CONTENT, INCLUDING BUT, NOT LIMITED TO ANY INFORMATION OR SOFTWARE PROGRAMS THAT YOU MAY DOWNLOAD FOR THE THIRD PARTY WEBSITE. ]