Though email phishing scams are definitely not a new tool for identity thieves, the rise in the amount of these phishing emails, and their increased sophistication continues to be a problem for consumers, and for the Federal Trade Commission. These scams occur when a potential identity thief sends out a mass email pretending to be a representative from a legitimate company. (Some commonly spoofed companies are PayPal, e-bay, Citibank, Fifth Third Bank and other financial institutions.) These emails most always include a link for readers to click on to get to the organization’s website and correct a “problem†with their accounts.
The real problem is that the link goes to a fake site. It used to be that it was easier to tell that this site, created by the identity thief or his more technologically knowledgeable friends, was not the actual site for the organization but a copy. But nowadays some of these sites look almost exactly like the legitimate ones; no off-kilter graphics or funky misspellings in sight. This similarity is enough to cause some consumers to be comfortable entering their account numbers, passwords and other personal information.
One word of advice for you: don’t. The only way to be sure that a site is legitimate, and not created by a thief ready to steal your identity, is to type the site’s official address into your browser. Never click on a link in your email to access it. Even if the email did happen to be legitimate, you are still better off safe than sorry. If you can’t find a Web address for the company that you are sure is correct, call the company at their 800 number and ask if there is a problem with your account. (Don’t use a phone number that is provided in the email you received. Find the number in a directory.)
So, to rehash, never click on a link in an email that pertains to your accounts or personal information. Contact the company directly by phone or through their legitimate website. And always remember, before entering any of your personal information online, to make sure that the address of the website you are using starts with https and that there is a picture of a padlock on the right side of the address bar. This shows that your information will be transmitted through a secure connection. If you don’t take this easy step to safeguard yourself, you may have just handed your information right over to an identity thief.
Be sure to share this information with your coworkers and household members. Sometimes one person clicking on the link in a phishing email can download a virus or spyware that could compromise the information of all who are on the shared computer network.
Besides through online channels, there are numerous other ways that identity thieves can get a hold of your personal information. Though there is no way to be 100% percent protected, with identity theft protection services you can get pretty close and at least you will have peace of mind knowing you are insured and that you will have assistance if someone does decide to attack your good name and credit.