Understanding, Recognizing, and Avoiding Phishing

If you receive an email or a pop-up message that is asking you for sensitive and private information such as your credit card numbers, passwords, PIN numbers, Social Security number, or bank account information, you are being "phished". THIS IS A SCAM.

No reputable bank, Internet Service Provider (ISP), government agency, or online business would ask for such information in this way. IT IS A TRICK.

This is a form of identity theft similar to what is also done by crooked people on the telephone. The emails and pop-up messages look legitimate and the email often looks like the websites that they are phishing.

The email or message usually asks that you click on the link provided and give them the information they are requesting so that your account isn't suspended, closed, fined, etc. DON'T FALL FOR THESE THREATS!

A phishing email I've seen a lot is a confirmation of a charge to my "account" and if it is wrong, I'm told to click on a link to dispute the charge. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER DECEPTIVE TRICK!

If you click on the link in this type of phishing email, you will be sent to a fake website that captures your information and steals your identity.

What to Do: