Phishing is a term commonly used in the identity theft rings. It is when someone sends out multiple scam emails in hope of catching a victim. Some of the largest scams have hit big players in the financial markets such as Citibank and Paypal. The key to phishing is how extremely easy it is to “look” authentic on the Web.
Don’t trust what you see on the Internet. Also be wary of what you receive in your email box. Identity thieves are crafty criminals and know how to deceive you right out of your credit card or social security numbers.
Even with spam filters, spam will get into your email box. Even with a keen eye, you still might receive a scam email. The key is to always question and be cautious when it comes to your hard-earned financial reputation.
If you receive an email from a financial institution you don’t do business with. Delete it. Also, if an email arrives from a financial institution you do have an account with, delete it as well. Don’t click on the link to “see” if it is real. Even opening the email or clicking on a link can alert these scammers that this is a valid email address. You don’t have to actually give out any personal information to become a target.
When scammers go phishing, it is similar to the standard fisherman. He throws out his line in hope of catching something. If a fish bites, but gets away… he is going to keep fishing in that spot. Clicking on a link is much like that bite in a phishing scheme.
If you do receive an email that appears real, the best route is to still delete and contact the organization through a different means. Go to their website directly through the url they have established. Give their customer service phone number a call to see if the email is real. While it may appear urgent or easy to simply deal with the email you received, it can lead to far more headaches down the road.
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