Don’t Get Hooked by a Phishing Scheme

By B.E. Conrad

Ever since the internet has existed there have been those who have attempted to use the power of this new technology to take advantage of the trust and good nature of others. Over the years there have been many attempts at internet fraud, some more successful than others. In some cases the frauds are old frauds which predate the internet, dressed up in new clothes for the digital age. In other cases the frauds are new, and many of them would not have been possible without the technology that makes the internet possible.

One of these technology dependent schemes is known as phishing, and it uses the power of email, along with the fact that some many more people are banking and conducting business online, to try to separate people from their hard earned money.

Phishing schemes start with the sending of unsolicited emails, which are designed to appear as if they come from a legitimate source, such as a bank, credit union, online auction company or other type of business. In many cases the subject line of the email will warn of dire circumstances for not taking action, in an attempt to prompt the user to take action.

The damage starts when that action is taken, generally through clicking an internet link which is embedded within the email. While the internet site may appear to be legitimate, in fact it is designed to collect personal information, such as account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers and the like. This information is in turn used to steal the identity of the victim and use it to open credit card accounts, take out loans and perform other unauthorized financial transactions.

It will take a concerted effort on the part of internet users, internet service providers, government agencies and private companies to finally put an end to the growing problem of identity theft. It is important for ordinary consumers to educate themselves about the dangers they face and to take the steps necessary to keep themselves protected.

Simple common sense measures such as being cautious about giving out personal information, especially via email, can go a long way toward keeping yourself and your personal information safe. In addition, it pays to be cautious about revealing account numbers, Social Security numbers and the like over the phone, unless you have initiated the call. Although many attempts at identity theft take place through phishing expeditions, others continue to take place the old fashioned way – over the phone. Always be cautious about providing any personal information to those who call or email you, and pay attention to your intuition. If something does not seem right it probably is not. Staying safe from phishing and identity theft is not easy, but it is possible to protect yourself with a combination of knowledge and good old common sense.

© Doityourself.com 2006