By Gary Barg
Phishing
(fish´ing) (n.)
The act of sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The email directs the user to visit a Website where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has. The Website, however, is bogus and set up only to steal the user’s information…*
I have been getting a lot of email lately from well-known organizations (e.g., Internet Service Providers, auction companies, or a credit card issuer) telling me that I must send or email my personal information immediately or dire consequences will ensue. The only problem with that is I am not a client of many of these organizations. Since I know these companies are reputable, the emails were sent by criminals pretending to be these reputable companies.
This is what is known as phishing, a relatively new scam designed to part you from your hard-earned money and coveted credit. And I’m not alone in receiving these messages. As of 2004, phishing had reached over 57 million Americans, compromising at least 122 well-known brands. Phishing is one of the very last things we should have to worry about as caregivers—we have enough to worry about already! Of course, as in every scam, the best defense is to become an educated consumer. The following information is presented by the Federal Trade Commission and will help you from taking the bait from these scurrilous phishing fiends:
- Don’t respond. 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.
- 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.
- Use anti-virus software and keep it up to date. Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the Internet without your knowledge.
- Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them.
- Report suspicious activity to the FTC. www.ftc.gov. If you get spam that is phishing for information, forward it to spam@uce.gov.
*Source material taken from Webopedia.
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