| With so many of us online nowadays, it's inevitable that | | | | email - and ask them if the email is legitimate. Never |
| criminals familiar with computer technology have found | | | | click on any links or URLs contained in the email, don't |
| ways to take advantage of it to make money. The | | | | reply to the email, don't acknowledge that you've |
| Internet is almost impossible to police, as it crosses so | | | | received it - just hit the delete button as fast as |
| many international borders, and criminals can operate | | | | possible. |
| basically from anywhere there's power and an internet | | | | When you're visiting websites, always be wary of |
| connection. Phishing is just one of many schemes | | | | supplying too much private information. Only supply |
| thought up by criminal minds to part us from our | | | | such information if you're sure it's a legitimate site that |
| money. | | | | you've navigated to by yourself, and there should be a |
| Phishing is simply the scam of sending out a fake email | | | | locked padlock logo in the bottom of the browser so |
| in order to try and get the recipient to respond with | | | | you know the site is secure. Never enter this kind of |
| private or financial information. You've probably | | | | information at a website you've reached by clinking on |
| received plenty of these - they pretend to come from | | | | an email link. |
| a well known bank, tell you that someone has changed | | | | What Type of Phishing Emails Can I get? |
| your password or that your account will be terminated | | | | Phishing isn't just limited to financial institutions. Many |
| if you don't confirm your details, and give you a link to | | | | phishing scams imitate emails from eBay and |
| click on. | | | | well-known stores. They may appear to be a special |
| Of course if you do actually click on the link, you'll be | | | | offer, suggesting you click on the link to get a great |
| taken to a false website where the information you | | | | deal on that particular item. The problem is that you'll |
| enter will be recorded and used to log in to your bank | | | | end up at a website designed to steal your information, |
| account or credit card and steal your money. In | | | | not the store's website. If you're especially interested in |
| extreme cases, where the phishing attempt also gets | | | | the deal being offered, call the store and ask if it's a |
| private information such as your social security | | | | genuine offer before clicking on anything. |
| number, your whole identity may be stolen and used to | | | | If you do receive a suspicious email that you think is a |
| apply for fake loans. Your financial and credit history | | | | phishing scam, it's always helpful to notify the company |
| can be ruined in literally hours, before you have any | | | | that it appears to come from. Some businesses have |
| idea there's something wrong. | | | | specific addresses for receiving phishing notifications, |
| How Do I Avoid Being Caught? | | | | but many simply use postmaster@theirURL. PayPal |
| While this sounds terrible, there are things you can do | | | | can be reached via You can also report the scam to |
| to lessen the risk of your information being phished. | | | | the Internet Crime Complaint Center, although this |
| The first, and most important, is to NEVER respond to | | | | mainly deals with the more threatening and |
| an email that appears to come from your financial | | | | widespread phishing scams. |
| institution. It doesn't matter how legitimate it looks, or | | | | The important thing to remember is that you should |
| whether it has the right logos in it. These businesses | | | | never click on an email link without checking with your |
| are well aware of the rapid spread of phishing, and the | | | | bank first. It doesn't matter how dire the consequences |
| last thing they would do is confuse things by sending | | | | sound if you don't do it - that's all part of the scam. |
| an email requesting your login details or for you to | | | | The more vigilant we all are, the less people will fall for |
| confirm a password. | | | | phishing scams, and the better the chance that one |
| If in doubt, call your bank by looking up the phone | | | | day these criminals will give up and leave our inboxes |
| number - don't use any phone numbers included in the | | | | alone. |