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