Are You Being Phished?

Phishing (read: ‘fishing’) is a term used to refer to the method used by many internet scammers and fraudsters to illegally obtain personal information from you.  This information will include your name, passwords, user IDs, PIN numbers, credit card numbers, bank account details, and other such data that they can use to either assume your identity or access your financial accounts to make unauthorized transactions.  Bottomline: it’s the fine art of stealing, internet-style.  Here are 10 signs you should watch out for because they might be an indication that you are about to become a victim of phishing:

1.  You receive an e-mail asking you to re-activate your account.

Most phishing attacks come in the form of e-mails that are supposedly sent to you by companies you regularly transact with, such as your bank or credit card companies or even a subscription service.  The e-mail looks legit enough, telling you that the company would like you to re-activate your account or run the risk of getting it suspended or de-activated.

You are then provided with a link to a site where you will be asked to input your personal details.  Once you do, it will only be a matter of hours or days before your identity gets stolen and your credit and banking accounts compromised.
 
2.  You receive an e-mail notification informing you of your bank’s newly installed security system.

Another sign that you are about to become a victim of phishing is an e-mail asking you to use a company’s new customer security system.  It is then followed by a series of instructions that will end with a request for your personal details and account information.  Ironically, it’s supposed to be installed to make sure your account is protected.

3.  You are sent an e-mail asking you to join an e-payment service of some kind.
Be wary of anything that has to do with your money.  This e-mail will offer you an electronic payment system that is supposed to make your online transactions a breeze.  Again, you will be asked to input your personal information.

4.  You’ve won a contest or raffle draw and the company needs your credit card to make sure it’s really you.

You don’t know it, but you actually won a prize for a raffle draw you didn’t participate in.  To claim it, you’ll need to provide your credit card information to verify your identity so they can send you the money.  Before you fall for this common phishing trick, think about this: how can you win in a contest you didn’t join? 

5. If you receive this message, do not reply to it, just delete it immediately.

6.  You are being asked for your personal details and account information.
You know you are about to become a victim of phishing if someone wants your personal information badly.  Unless it’s legitimate, do not readily provide your information because it could mean trouble for you.

7.  You’re supposed to be under investigation for credit card fraud.

This is a phishing attack that scammers hope you will fall for by scaring you.  Since you believe the police are involved, you will be pressured to provide all the information asked from you.  Of course, this is a trick.  If the police want you, know that they will find a way to your doorstep and don’t need to communicate with you through e-mail.

8.  If you click on the link provided, you find a fake or copycat website.

Phishing websites are designed to look exactly like legitimate sites in order to mislead you.  In fact, it can mimic your bank’s or credit card company’s sites.  However, by simply checking its URL, you will find it is somewhat different.  The fake site will also lack certain features and functions of the original site.

9.  You receive an e-mail offering an anti-phishing service and yet, you are still being asked for your personal details.

For more credibility and ironic effect, some phishing scams even offer you a means with which to fight the threat but it’s actually the same trick.  If you read the e-mail, you will still find instructions asking you for your account details and other personal information.

10.  The website URL that appears on the link on the e-mail message does not match the one that appears on the bottom of the computer screen.

A telltale sign that you are about to become a victim of phishing is that the link to the site you’re supposed to go to is different from the one that appears if you roll your mouse over it.  For example, the link that appears on the e-mail address may appear like this:  www.yourbank.com/customeraccounts/activate.  But if you check the text on the bottom portion of your computer screen, you’ll find something like this: www.badbiznezstratxyzzzz.com/form.  If the link and the text don’t mix, be extremely cautious.

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Bill Wardell

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