A New Scam Is Hiding in Search Results
When you search online for your credit union, you expect the first results to take you to the official website. Unfortunately, scammers sometimes exploit search engine advertising to trick people into visiting fraudulent sites.
One tactic that has appeared more frequently involves links that use “.co.com” domains. These links can look legitimate at first glance but may redirect users through several steps before landing on a phishing page designed to capture usernames, passwords, or other sensitive information.
Understanding how this type of scam works can help you recognize the warning signs and stay safe online.
How the Scam Works
In this type of scam, attackers place weaponized ads in search engine results. These ads appear near the top of the page and can look like legitimate search results for your credit union.
Here’s how the process typically works:
- A user types the name of a company or financial institution into a search engine such as Yahoo or Bing.
- Within the first few search results, there may be a sponsored ad that displays a link such as:
https://kalsee.co.com - Clicking the ad redirects the user to a CAPTCHA page that asks them to confirm they are not a robot.
- After clicking through the CAPTCHA prompts, the browser is redirected again to a phishing page that imitates an online banking login.
These phishing pages are designed to look like legitimate login screens so scammers can capture account credentials.
In some cases, the phishing landing page cannot be accessed directly. It can only be reached through the redirect link, and the redirect link itself may only appear through search engine ad results. This makes the scam harder to detect and block.
Why “.co.com” Can Be Misleading
At a quick glance, “.co.com” can look very similar to a normal “.com” address. However, it is actually a different domain that allows scammers to create subdomains that resemble real organizations.
For example:
- Legitimate: kalsee.com
- Suspicious: kalsee.co.com
That small difference can be easy to miss, especially on mobile devices or when quickly scanning search results.
Warning Signs to Watch For
If you search for your financial institution online, watch for these potential warning signs.
- Sponsored search results
Results labeled “Sponsored” or “Ad” appear at the top of search pages. While many ads are legitimate, scammers often use them to place fraudulent links ahead of real results. - Unfamiliar website addresses
Look carefully at the domain name before clicking. Addresses that include “.co.com” or extra words may not be the official site. - Unexpected CAPTCHA pages
If you click a search result and immediately encounter a CAPTCHA verification page, it could be part of a redirect chain used by scammers. - Multiple redirects before reaching a page
Being redirected through several pages before reaching a login screen can be a sign something is not legitimate.
Simple Ways to Protect Yourself
A few small habits can help you avoid these scams.
- Use a bookmark for trusted sites
Save the official Kalsee Credit Union website in your browser and use that bookmark whenever you want to log in. - Type the website address directly
Entering the address manually ensures you are visiting the correct site. - Check the domain name before logging in
Always confirm the website address is the official kalsee.com domain before entering any credentials. - Be cautious with search ads
If a result is labeled “Sponsored” or “Ad,” scroll down and choose the official website listing instead.
What to Do if You Suspect a Fake Site
If you believe you may have visited a fraudulent page or entered your login information:
- Close the page immediately.
- Contact Kalsee Credit Union right away so we can help protect your account.
- Change your online banking password if you have already entered your credentials.
Staying Safe Online
Online scams continue to evolve, and attackers often rely on small details that are easy to overlook. Taking a moment to verify a website address and avoiding suspicious search ads can help protect your personal and financial information.
Kalsee Credit Union is committed to helping our members stay informed and secure online. If you ever have questions about a website or message claiming to be from us, please contact our team for assistance.