Internet scammers casting about for people’s financial information have a new way to lure unsuspecting victims: They go “phishing.” Phishing is a high-tech scam that uses fictitious email or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information.
Phishers send an email or linked pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal with – for example, your bank, credit union, Internet service provider (ISP), online payment service, or even a government agency. The message usually says that you need to “update” or “validate” your account information. It might threaten some dire consequence if you don’t respond. The message directs you to a Web site that looks just like a legitimate organization’s site, but it isn’t. The purpose of the bogus site? To trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name.
How to Avoid a Phishing Scam:
- If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply or click on the link in the message. Legitimate companies don’t ask for this information via email. If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization in the email using a telephone number you know to be genuine, or open a new Internet browser session and type in the company’s correct web address. In any case, don’t cut and paste the link in the message.
- Don’t email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your personal or financial information through an organization’s Web site, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser’s status bar or a URL for a website that begins “https:” (the “s” stands for “secure”). Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some phishers have forged security icons.
- Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to determine whether there are any unauthorized charges. If your statement is late by more than a couple of days, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your billing address and account balances.
- Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them.
What to Do if You Fall Victim:
- Contact your financial institution immediately and alert it to the situation.
- Contact one of the three major credit bureaus if you have disclosed sensitive information in a phishing attack, and discuss whether you need to place a fraud alert on your file, which will help prevent thieves from opening a new account in your name.
Credit bureau’s fraud division:
- Equifax: 800-525-6285
- Experian: 888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 800-680-7289
- Report all suspicious contacts to the Federal Trade Commission through the Internet at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.