Email and Phishing
How to Avoid Phishing Scams
The number and sophistication of phishing scams sent out to consumers is continuing to increase dramatically. While online banking and e-commerce is very safe, as a general rule you should be careful about giving out your personal financial information over the Internet. The following is a list of recommendations that you can use to avoid becoming a victim of these scams.
- Be suspicious of any email with urgent requests for personal financial information
- Don't use the links in an email, instant message, or chat to get to any web page if you suspect the message might not be authentic or you don't know the sender or user's handle
- Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal financial information
- Always ensure that you're using a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your Web browser
- Remember not all scam sites will try to show the "https://" and/or the security lock. Get in the habit of looking at the address line, too. Were you directed to PayPal? Does the address line display something different like "http://www.hadyouscammed.com/paypal/login.htm?" Be aware of where you are going.
- Consider installing a Web browser tool bar to help protect you from known fraudulent websites. These toolbars match where you are going with lists of known phisher Web sites and will alert you.
- Regularly log into your online accounts
- Regularly check your bank, credit and debit card satements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate
- Ensure that your browser is up to date and security patches applied
- Always report "phishing" or spoofed e-mails to The Internet Crime Complaint Center of the FBI by filing a complaint on their website: www.ic3.gov
For more information, check some of the following sources:
