Online scams have been around since the onset of the World Wide Web. In this recession, new, more complex ones are emerging to bilk victims caught in a desperate situation.
Every day, identity thieves, using the Internet to run international crime rings, manipulate graphics to send out emails that mimic official correspondence from a financial institution. These “phishing” emails enable scammers to collect your personal information by tricking you into logging into your accounts. They also expose your computer to destructive viruses.
Above is an email sent to my inbox. It’s easy to spot the spelling errors, but the real danger is from a deceptive link that takes you to the scammer’s webpage, not the bank’s.
According to a new IBM report, phishers have shifted their target from financial institutions to individual consumers through online payment services such as PayPal.
Investor’s Business Daily (9/8/09)In recent years, there have been two other variations of cyber crime on the rise. The first, “smishing” uses short-message service (SMS) technology like text messages to lure personal and financial information from their victims. The second, “vishing,” uses Voice-Over IP (VOIP) services, including Voicemail.
In both, the victim answers an automated recording or text that alerts the consumer of unusual activity on a credit card or bank account. The message instructs the consumer to call a phone number immediately, which prompts instructions to enter account information on the key pad. These calls, concealed to be untraceable to authorities, harvest additional details about each caller.
Here are some tips to avoid falling prey to phishing and its variations:
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Never respond to a text or phone call from your bank asking you to verify details. Call the bank with the phone number either on your account statement or back of your card.
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Don’t click on links sent by email (if you highlight the link, it will often show the bogus address it is taking you to). Type in the bank address yourself to find its legitimate site. Keep in mind that banks will never ask you for your PIN number.
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Use and regularly update anti-virus and anti-spyware software
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Exercise caution when opening attachments or downloading files from emails you receive, regardless of the sender
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Forward any phishing emails to spam@uce.gov, reportphishing@antiphishing.org and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the phishing email. These reports help security vendors, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies fight phishing.
It is my hope that this information will help avoid creating additional victims of these scams.
JOHN J. BENOIT
Senator, 37th Senate District
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