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Phishing Scams


Don’t Get Hooked by a 'Phishing' Scam


Internet scammers casting about for people's financial information have a new way to lure unsuspecting victims: they go "phishing.”
Phishing is a scam that uses email or text messages to deceive you into disclosing credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), phishers send an email or text message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal with – for example, your internet service provider, bank, 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.

The FTC, the nation's consumer protection agency, suggests these tips to help you avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam:

  • If you get an email or text 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.  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 website, 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.
  • Use antivirus software and keep your computer and mobile device up-to-date.  Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the internet without your knowledge.  Antivirus software and a firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files.  Antivirus software scans incoming communications for troublesome files.  Look for antivirus software that recognizes current viruses as well as older ones; that can effectively reverse the damage; and that updates automatically. A firewall helps make you invisible on the internet and blocks all communications from unauthorized sources. It's especially important to run a firewall if you have a broadband connection.  Finally, your Windows operating system may offer free software patches to close holes in the system that hackers or phishers could exploit.
  • Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them.

Report suspicious activity – your information can help fight fraudsters.  If you get a phishing email, forward it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org.  If you get a phishing text message forward it to SPAM (7726).  Report the phishing attack to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you think a scammer has personal information, like your Social Security, credit card or bank account number, go to IdentityTheft.gov to find information on what actions you can take, based on the information that was disclosed.