How to avoid the Internet Scam popularly known as “Phishing”?

• If you receive an unexpected e-mail saying your account will be shut down unless you confirm your billing information, do not reply or click any links in the e-mail body.
• Before submitting financial information through a Web site, look for the “lock” icon on the browser’s status bar. It means your information is secure during transmission.
• If you are uncertain about the information, contact the company through an address or telephone number you know to be genuine.
• If you unknowingly supplied personal or financial information, contact your bank and credit card company immediately.
• Suspicious e-mail can be forwarded to uce@ftc.gov, and complaints should be filed with the state attorney general’s office or through the FTC at www.ftc.gov.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is also known as Carding or Brand Spoofing. It uses e-mail messages that seem to come from legitimate businesses that one might be dealing with eg. banks, online shopping websites like eBay, PayPal, Amazon etc., Internet Service Providers like AOL, MSN, Yahoo etc.. These message might look quite authentic having Corporate Logos and message formats, which are similar to the ones sent by the actual businesses or companies. These messages generally ask for verification of User Ids, Account Numbers and Passwords. Around 20% of the users fall in their trap and end up giving their personal information, which leads to heavy losses for them as well as the companies.