What is Phishing?
Phishing is a technique that Identity thieves use to obtain personal information, credit card information (see credit protection), and account passwords from people by posing as someone who actually works with the company they’re claiming to be. This will usually take place through email or instant messages. Email phishing schemes are often bank related. For example, the thief will create a webpage practically identical to the real bank’s webpage. He/she will then send a legitimate-looking email to someone who has an account at that bank. The email will usually mention some type of problem that has occurred with the user’s account, and will ask them to verify their password, personal information, or credit/debit card information on that account.
How Can I Tell If the Website/Email Is Real or Fake?
Phishing is not always an easy thing to identify. The thief phishing for your information will usually work extremely hard to make the websites and emails look like the real thing. There aren’t many specific signs to tell you whether they are real or not, but there are some clues you should keep an eye out for throughout the emails, and throughout the websites.
1) Most real banks will never ask for personal information or account information through email. If contacted by “your bank” through email, refrain from entering your password on their webpage.
2) In the email you receive, check for spelling errors. Banks will be sure to have their messages written 100% perfectly. If there is even the slightest spelling error, don’t even go to their webpage.
3) Look at the website’s URL, and verify it to be completely accurate. Sometimes it may appear like it is all correct, but will have a tiny difference in the URL.
What Should I Do If I’m Still Unsure about the Email’s Information?
If all information looks correct and you’re still wary, stop by your bank and speak with them in person. By going to the business that you know is the real one, you know that you will be speaking with someone who really works there. Ask them if they sent you the email message. If they did, take care of any the issues they had mentioned while you’re there. If they didn’t, contact your local authorities and report the issue. If you’re ever unsure of the legitimacy, don’t take the risk. If it turns out to have been fake, then your identity’s just been stolen.