Question:
What is “Phishing”?
How to Avoid Online Phishing Scams
Phishing is one of the most common types of identity theft committed online. Thieves “phish” to capture your personal information via e-mail, just as fishermen do who troll the lakes and streams to attract and catch unsuspecting fish.
Any kind of information is fair game in phishing identity theft scams. Passwords. Account numbers. Bank information. Social Security numbers. PINs. Your best defense is awareness. The request for bank account verification is one of the most familiar examples of identity theft phishing scams. Here is how it is done, and what you should do if one lands in your e-mail “In” box:
How it is done: You receive an e-mail from what appears to be your bank or one of your credit card issuers. The e-mail may explain that the bank/credit card company is doing a routine verification of customer information. For your convenience, an active link is embedded in the e-mail for you to click on to be immediately taken to your account page. Don't do it! Identity thieves use embedded links to take you to cloaked sites where you willingly give them all the information they ask for.
What to do: Use your browser to log into your account as you normally would. If updates or verifications are required, there will be a notice on the company's site. If there is no such notice, forward the e-mail you received to the company immediately so it can take steps to report the offenders and notify customers of fraud attempts.
Thieves rely on you taking advantage of the convenience of an active link. Be cautious when clicking on embedded links in e-mails and on web sties, and do not open attachments.
Identity Theft Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for all the fraudulent charges made on my credit card?
Where can identity theft victims get information about what to do?
I think I am a victim of identity theft – what do I do first?
What is my liability for the unauthorized use of my stolen ATM card?
Do I need credit card loss protection insurance?
What can I do to protect myself from identity theft?
Will a fraud alert on my credit reports protect me from future identity theft damages?
How can I protect myself from identity theft?
Am I overreacting to be worried about identity theft?
How prevalent are identity theft crimes?
What is the most damaging kind of identity theft?
What is the difference between identity theft and identity fraud?
How safe am I from online identity theft?
How can I guard against online identity theft?
Should I explain what online identity theft is to my children?
Am I at risk of identity theft from free downloads from the Internet?
How dangerous is online identity theft?
What penalties are there for identity thieves?
Why are so few identity theft crimes prosecuted?
Are there mandatory sentences for identity theft criminals?
How can I prevent identity theft?
How can I prevent online identity theft?
How can I avoid becoming a victim of identity theft?
I’ve been a victim of identity theft – how do I get my life back?
How long will it take me to recover from identity fraud?
What’s included in an identity fraud report?
How do I report credit card fraud?
I’m a victim of identity theft – how do I report it?
What is the most common type of identity theft?
What is a “credit card bustout” for bankruptcy fraud?
Is there such a thing as student loan fraud?
What is Social Security Identity Theft?
Are there organizations specifically set up to help victims of identity theft?
Can fraudulent charges be blocked from appearing on my credit report?
What can I do if my bank won’t cooperate to resolve problems from identity theft?
What do I do if my checks have been stolen?
What is an ID Theft Affidavit?
Are there services that will assist me in reporting identity theft?
How many people are victims of identity theft each year?
How widespread is identity theft?
How are businesses affected by identity theft?
How much time does a victim spend to report credit issues after ID theft?
How many instances of phishing are there each year?
How long does it take for my credit to be cleared after identity theft?
How long does it take before someone realizes he/she is a victim of ID theft?
How does identity theft occur?
How do identity thieves use my information?
How does online identity theft occur?
Can identity theft be prevented?
Can anything be done to thwart online phishing scams?
How do online identity thieves get information?
How will I know if I’m at a legitimate web site?
What can I do if debt collectors demand payment for fraudulent charges?
Are deceased individuals subject to identity theft crimes?
What is the Identity Theft Prevention Act?
What is the cost of putting a security freeze on my credit reports?
How do I stop phone and mail solicitations that put me at risk of identity theft?
What is the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act?
Are state laws and penalties for identity theft different from the federal laws?
How effective are using automated reports to document identity theft?
How do I organize my information to report identity theft?
What information do I need to include in a blocking letter?
What information do I include in a dispute letter to notify creditors of fraudulent charges?
Who investigates online identity theft?
How do I get debt collectors to stop calling on fraudulent accounts?
How do I prove I am an identity theft victim?
How do I clear a criminal record that resulted from ID theft?
What records do I have to keep while restoring my credit from identity theft?
Why should I use the FTC’s Identity Theft Affidavit?
How can I correct fraudulent information on my credit report?
Where can I get an advocate to help me recover from identity theft?
When should I involve a lawyer to help recover from ID theft?
Should I invest in identity theft insurance and monitoring services?
How does a credit report help protect me from identity theft?
What are some of the things I can personally do to protect from identity theft?
How can I be proactive to guard against identity theft?
How can I protect my kids from being targeted by identity thieves?
Is there an easy way to remember the basics for preventing identity theft?
How can identity theft be prevented in schools?
Are state legislators doing anything to help prevent identity theft?
How can active duty military personnel prevent identity theft while deployed?
What can businesses do to prevent identity theft?
What am I supposed to be looking at on my credit report that indicates identity theft?
What is the punishment for passport fraud?
Can an identity thief be charged with more than one crime?
How do state identity theft laws affect penalties?
Why is online ID theft difficult to prosecute?
Is ID theft perpetuated by victims who don’t prosecute?
Are there any plans for stronger prosecution standards for identity theft?
What is my State doing about identity theft?
How can I protect my credit if my identity is compromised?
What is spyware and what does it have to do with online identity theft?
What should I do if I've been the victim of identity theft and a debt collector calls?
Can your identity be stolen from people entering your home?
How do I know my personal identity has been stolen?
| Guru Spotlight |
| Jolyn Wells-Moran |
