The term phishing is a variant of fishing and was coined to describe email and website phishing scams. Use of phishing emails is widespread and each year untold numbers become victims.
What is email phishing? Scammers use electronic communication as a means to masquerade as legitimate businesses in an effort to obtain sensitive information.
Phishing Letters
Phishing emails are sent out, supposedly from banks, credit card companies, online payment processors, from social or auction sites or from Internet service providers. These scam letters are distributed with the sole objective of gathering personal information so as to defraud victims of assets or to implement identity theft.
Phishers use the information gleaned to gain access to victims' accounts, to withdraw funds or make purchases, or to open new bank or credit card accounts using victims' names and details.
Phishing Websites
A phishing email letter is designed to get the party on the other end to take some type of action. People are asked to confirm their personal details by clicking a link and entering information into pop-up windows or forms at websites. These phishing websites look legitimate, bearing impressive looking graphics and text.
Bank Phishing, Using Scare Tactics
In another phishing scheme, recipients are informed that they must take action to avoid account suspension. This is a method used to scare victims into acting without thinking about matters.
Institutions such as banks or electronic payment processors already have client details and do not need users to confirm them via online methods. Banks will phone clients if there are problems and do not use email as a legitimate method of confirming private information.
Phishing -- Prizes
One type of phishing email is the prize notification letter, informing recipients that they have won large sums of money and to contact a party with their details to facilitate release of funds. In these particular phishing scams, victims are directed to reply or phone to divulge the information.
Internal Revenue Service Phishing Scam
A variant of a phishing email scam was seen in emails sent out supposedly from the Internal Revenue Service. These phishing emails were used to obtain data from U.S. tax payers.
How to Avoid Getting Caught by Phishers
NEVER:
- Click on links in suspicious emails (some sites contain malicious software that could harm computers)
- Enter information into pop-up windows or forms
- Type in user names or passwords
- Phone a number
- Retaliate by sending replies to scammers because this alerts them that the email address is valid
Electronic communication can be a convenient and safe medium for consumers when appropriate precautions are taken in relation to phishing emails.
Online Resources
How to Write a Resume Using Free Online Tools
How to Create an Email Signature
Creating Online Business Cards
Melody Rhodes - M. Rhodes is author of the Bedbug Books. She's been published in Canada, U.S. U.K. & NZ and has won awards for her poetry/prose.
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