With the volume of email that manages to make its way into your inbox, it is especially important to know how to detect those that can cause harm to you, your business or your family. I want to let you know about a type of scam spam that has resulted in both identity theft and the loss of data by harmful computer viruses.
Phishing emails look like they are coming from your bank, your credit card company, an online payment service, or even a government agency. The subject line of the email may read: “Unreported Income Tax Account No. 668875432” or “Account Update Required.” The intention is to lure you into clicking on a link in order to gather credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords or other sensitive information. The scammers set up a website that looks like a trusted source such as Amazon, eBay or CitiBank in order to convince you that their request is legitimate. Next thing you know they have your mother’s maiden name, your social security number, and a brand new credit card thanks to you!!
If you receive a suspicious looking email there are several things you can do. First, do not click anything or copy the link into your address bar.
You do not want to follow the link but you do want to learn where it is pointing to. Scroll over the link and look in your web browser to see what the url says. You can almost bet it is not going to say Amazon.com!
You can also search the link in Google. Enter a portion of it into the search box only. Chances are it is going to show up on a message board or some other reporting tool identifying it as a phishing scam.
Apart from keeping your computer updated with spam filters, anti-spyware and anti-virus software, and a good firewall, forward suspicious emails to spam@uce.gov. You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft Clearinghouse at 877-438-4338 to make a report, learn how to put a “fraud alert” on your files at the credit reporting bureaus, and for information and advice for ID theft victims.
Spread the word. Phishing emails can cause real harm. Talk to your kids, particularly your teenagers.
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