| According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group | | | | 4. Do not open any attachments in a |
| (APWG) email scams also known as phishing | | | | suspected email scam. |
| attacks claim more than 2,000 victims each | | | | |
| day from more than 75 million phishing emails | | | | |
| that are sent each day. The APWG also claims | | | | |
| that these email scams steal close to $1 | | | | 5. Only use a secure website to submit |
| billion a year from its victims.Phishing | | | | sensitive data. A secure sites' address will |
| (pronounced fishing), is online identity | | | | begin with https:// instead of http:// |
| theft that uses spoof emails, fraudulent | | | | |
| websites and crimeware to trick unsuspecting | | | | |
| internet users into providing financial data, | | | | |
| credit card numbers, social security numbers, | | | | 6. Check the activity of your online |
| account logins and passwords, etc.These email | | | | accounts regularly and check for fraudulent |
| scams (spoof email) mimic legitimate | | | | activity. |
| companies such as banks, credit card | | | | |
| companies, investing companies, paypal, ebay, | | | | |
| etc. These fraudulent emails look like they | | | | |
| are from the "real" company; many even | | | | 7. Make sure your browser is up to date |
| include the real company's logo. Generally | | | | and all security patches are installed. |
| these emails try to convey a sense of | | | | |
| urgency; if you don't correct this problem | | | | |
| your account will be suspended.The spoof | | | | |
| email may state that there is a problem with | | | | 8. Report phishing and spoof email to: , |
| your account and if you do not log in and | | | | , and forward the email to the company that |
| update your information your account may be | | | | is being spoofed. |
| suspended, restricted, terminated, or | | | | |
| something similar. They may also request user | | | | |
| name, passwords, credit card numbers, social | | | | |
| security numbers, etc.Protecting yourself | | | | 9. Keep your PC protected with updated |
| against phishing and email scams. | | | | anti-virus software, anti-spyware software, |
| | | | and a firewall. |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| 1. Do not give out personal or financial | | | | |
| information through an email request. | | | | 10. You may want to install an anti-phishing |
| | | | toolbar such as Earthlink ScamBlocker which |
| | | | alerts you before you visit a known |
| | | | fraudulent website. It's free and can be |
| 2. Always log on to your sensitive | | | | downloaded at As email scams are on the |
| accounts by opening a new browser and typing | | | | rise and with the consequences being identity |
| the actual URL directly into the address bar. | | | | theft, it is important that you increase your |
| For example, if you receive a suspected | | | | awareness and learn to protect yourself from |
| phishing email from ebay, open a new browser | | | | these fraudulent attacks. With more than 75 |
| and type " in the browser bar. | | | | million phishing emails being sent every day |
| | | | it's only a matter of time before you receive |
| | | | one. By following the above tips you will |
| | | | protect yourself from many email scams and |
| 3. Do not click on any link in a suspected | | | | the possible financial consequences.Lisa |
| phishing email. | | | | Smith makes it easy to increase your online |
| | | | privacy in her newest book, "Internet Safety |
| | | | Tips & Resource Guide. How To Increase Your |
| | | | Online Privacy and Security. |