There are several ways that fraud can occur on the internet. Fraudsters impersonate a business to trick consumers into giving out personal identifying information, it’s called phishing and if you give out personal information they can open new accounts in your name or get in to your current accounts without your permission. There are several tips to avoid phishing scams; do not respond to emails, texts or pop-up messages that ask for personal or financial information. Don’t click on links within them either, even if the email appears to come from a trusted organization. Following are some tips for dealing with a phishing scam if you receive one:
Delete email and text messages asking to confirm or provide personal information such as credit card and bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords, etc… Legitimate businesses don’t ask for sensitive information through insecure means such as the internet.
The messages may appear to be from familiar organizations – banks, for example. They might threaten to close an account or take other action if immediate response is not provided.
Don’t reply, and don’t click on links or call phone numbers provided in the message either. These messages go directory to spoof sites which are sties that look real but whose purpose is to steal personal information so a scammer can run up bills or commit crimes.
Area codes are misleading; some scammer asks for a return call to a phone number to update an account or access a refund but a local area code does not guarantee the caller is local or legitimate.
If you have concerns about an account or you need to reach an organization you should call the number on your financial statements or on the credit card.
Some other tips to avoid phishing are:
Don’t email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information.
Review credit card and bank account statements upon receipt to check for unauthorized charges. If a statement is late, call to confirm the billing address and account balances.
Be cautious about opening attachments and downloading files from emails, regardless of who sent them. These files can contain viruses or other malware that can weaken a computer’s security. Consumers who have been tricked by a phishing email may file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/complaint.