Phishing is...
Phishing is a technique commonly used in identity theft. The basic idea is that identity thieves are trying to "lure" you into giving up personal information. Once you do, you're "caught" and the thieves use your identity to go on a buying spree, apply for loans in your name, etc. Some of the key tactics of phishing include:
- Look-alike web sites and e-mails
- Copies of real logos
- Official sounding titles and employee names
- Urgent requests for information
Phishing is one of the fastest growing forms of identity theft and you need to do everything you can to avoid it.
You Need to Be Careful to Avoid Phishing
You need to be very cautious in order to avoid being caught by a phishing scam—it can take months or even years to clear your good name after your identity has been stolen. A few tips for avoiding phishing scams include the following:
- Legitimate online firms will not ask for your account information by e-mail.
- Don't use links in e-mails to access web sites—type the web address directly into your address bar.
- Pages that request your account information should begin with https://
- When in doubt, call the firm by telephone using a phone number you are sure is from the company (not the one in a suspicious e-mail or web site!) to confirm that the e-mail you received is truly legitimate.