Phishing

Things to be aware of to keep your financial information safe.

In a phishing attack, a fraudster spams the Internet with email claiming to be from a reputable financial institution or e-commerce site. The email message urges the recipient to click on a link to update their personal profile or carry out some transaction. The link takes the victim to a fake website designed to look like the real thing. However, any personal or financial information entered is routed directly to the scammer.

This is a form of Identity Theft - typically an e-mail is sent to you that looks like it comes from a legitimate company (E-Bay has been a typical target) telling you that you must update your records and verify your username and password. The site is really a place to collect that information from you and steal your identity, money, records and whatever they can. Congress is trying to work on laws to help, but based on the ineffective Can Spam act, it is doubtful to help. Knowledge is the most effective preventive mechanism today - Legitimate companies do not ask you for your information.

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