Facts about Phishing

Five years ago, if anyone had asked you if you knew anything about fishing, you may have said "Yeah – you get a long pole with a line on it, put a hook with bait on the end, and then throw it in the water."

Today, when someone asks that question, stop and ask which kind of fishing – the pole/water kind – or phishing –the electronic theft kind?  This new kind of “phishing” is an activity which entails the bait being thrown out in an email with the hopes that you are tempted to bite by responding with your personal information.

“Phishing” has become a prevalent form of electronic identity theft for crooks because they know that many people will respond to an inquiry if they think the request is from a legitimate financial institution with which they have done business.  When you click on the link provided in their email, you go into a web site that looks suspiciously like the real site of the financial institution, governmental agency, or other entity.

ALWAYS REMEMBER – NO LEGITIMATE financial institution or government agency will ever use email to request your account numbers or social security numbers!  Most email systems are not secure enough to transmit that sensitive type of information.  Additionally, the financial institution already has this information from when you opened your account.

So, a word to the wise – DO NOT EVER RESPOND TO ANY EMAIL that requests personal, sensitive financial information – someone is just “phishing,” and they may end up with your identity!  Additionally, alert the financial institution or government agency identified in the bogus email through addresses or telephone numbers that you know are legitimate.  And, lastly, contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov/.

"Phishing"..."pharming"...

What in the world is the difference? Click here to find out.

Report phishing emails, pharming sites and malicious spyware to the Anti-Phishing Working Group and do your part to stomp out this threat. Click here for more...

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