Find out the details about Phishing
Phishing is receiving fraudulent emails, appearing to be from a trusted source such as your bank, or a government agency, directing you to websites. Once there, you are asked to verify personal information such as name, account and credit card numbers and passwords. These sites are often designed to look exactly like the site they are imitating.
If you receive an email that warns you, with littler or no notice, that your account will be shut down unless you reconfirm certain information, do not click on the email link. Instead, use a phone number or enter the web address yourself. Clicking on a link that looks legitimate may in fact direct you to a fraudulent website where crooks will steal your personal information. Remember, your bank or a government agency will never send you an alert asking you to disclose your personal information.
Before submitting any financial information to a legitimate website, look for the “lock” icon on the browser status bar, or look for “https” in the web address. Both are indications that the information is secure and encrypted during transmission.
Report suspicious activity to the FTC:
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center
Click here or call toll free 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
TTY: 202-326-2502
