---
title: How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams
description: Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts by cybercriminals to trick you into revealing sensitive information. To help keep yourself safe, follow these steps:
---

[Skip to content](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/how-to-protect-yourself-from-phishing-scams#main-content)

[More support](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Customer portal](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/tickets-view?hsLang=en)

![West Virginia Creative Network Logo](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-13%20at%208.42.07%20PM.png?width=536&height=104&name=Screenshot%202025-04-13%20at%208.42.07%20PM.png)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- [More support](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/kb-tickets/new)
- [Customer portal](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/tickets-view)
- [Contact us](https://westvirginiacreativenetwork.mysites.io/contact-us/)

[Contact us](https://westvirginiacreativenetwork.mysites.io/contact-us/)

 How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [West Virginia Creative Network](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base?hsLang=en)
2. [For Artists](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en)
3. [Artist Account Support](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#artist-account-support)

October 24, 2025

# How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams

## Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts by cybercriminals to trick you into revealing sensitive information such as your login credentials, credit card details, or personal data.

Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts by cybercriminals to trick you into revealing sensitive information such as your login credentials, credit card details, or personal data. These scams often appear as emails, text messages, or websites that mimic trusted sources like WVCN.

To help keep your WVCN account and personal information safe, follow these steps:

### What Does a Phishing Scam Look Like?

Phishing attempts may:

- Use urgent or threatening language like “Your account will be closed!”
- Appear to come from “WVCN Support” or similar names
- Include fake links that look like they lead to WVCN but take you elsewhere
- Request login credentials, financial info, or passwords
- Contain poor spelling or grammar

### How to Stay Safe

1. Only log in through [wvcreativenetwork.org.](http://wvcreativenetwork.org) Avoid logging in through links sent via email unless you're 100% sure they are legitimate.
2. *Don’t share sensitive information. WVCN will never ask for your password or full credit card number via email or message.*
3. *Use strong passwords. Create a unique password using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid reusing passwords from other sites.*
4. *Don’t download unexpected attachments. If you receive an email from an unknown sender with an attachment or strange link, don’t open it.*
5. *Be cautious of social engineering. Scammers may pretend to be another artist or even a WVCN staff member. When in doubt, verify through our support email.*

### What Should I Do If I Receive a Suspicious Email or Message?

- Do not click any links or respond to the message.
- Forward email to [cassidy@wvcreativenetwork.org](mailto:cassidy@wvcreativenetwork.org)
- **[Change your WVCN password immediately](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/how-to-change-or-reset-your-password?hsLang=en)** if you clicked a suspicious link or entered your information.

### Still Need Help?

If you think your account was compromised or you accidentally gave out sensitive information, [contact us immediately.](https://wvcreativenetwork.org/contact-us/) Our team is here to help secure your account and guide you through next steps.

- [For Artists](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting Started](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Artist Account Support](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#artist-account-support)
    - [Artist Directory Support](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#artist-directory-support)
    - [Artist Opportunities](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#artist-opportunities)
    - [Toolkits & Career Resources](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#toolkits-career-resources)
    - [Creative Skill Development & Enrichment](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#creative-skill-development-enrichment)
    - [Creative Business Resources](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#creative-business-resources)
    - [Funding & Grants](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#funding-grants)
- [For Customers](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-customers?hsLang=en)
- [FAQs](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en)
- [General](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Creative Placemaking](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#creative-placemaking)
    - [Accessibility](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#accessibility)
- [Support](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/support?hsLang=en)
- [For Arts Supporters](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-arts-supporters?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Creative Placemaking](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-arts-supporters?hsLang=en#creative-placemaking)
    - [Arts Advocacy](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-arts-supporters?hsLang=en#arts-advocacy)
- [For Organizations](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-organizations?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Accessibility](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-organizations?hsLang=en#accessibility)
    - [Disaster Preparation & Emergency Planning](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-organizations?hsLang=en#disaster-preparation-emergency-planning)

[![West Virginia Creative Network Logo](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-13%20at%208.42.07%20PM.png?width=536&height=104&name=Screenshot%202025-04-13%20at%208.42.07%20PM.png "West Virginia Creative Network Logo")](http://wvcreativenetwork.org)

© West Virginia Creative Network. Designed in Collaboration with [WD Strategies](https://www.wd-strategies.com/).

<https://www.facebook.com/> <https://www.twitter.com/> <https://www.instagram.com/> <https://podcasts.apple.com/> [mailto:email@email.com](mailto:email@email.com)