How Not to Get Hooked by a 'Phishing' Scam
Internet scammers casting about for people's financial
information have a new way to lure unsuspecting victims: They go "phishing".
Phishing, also called "carding," is a high-tech scam that uses spam to deceive
consumers into disclosing their credit card numbers, bank account information,
Social Security numbers, passwords, and other sensitive information.
Often, the suspect emails
pretend to be from businesses the potential victims deal with - for example,
their Internet service provider (ISP), online payment service (eg. Paypal)
or a bank. The
fraudsters tell recipients that they need to "update" or "validate" their
billing information to keep their accounts active, and direct them to a
"look-alike" Web site of the legitimate business, further tricking consumers
into thinking they are responding to a bona fide request. Unknowingly, consumers
submit their financial information - not to the businesses - but the scammers,
who use it to order goods and services and obtain credit.
To avoid getting caught by one of these scams follow these
tips:
- If you get an email that warns you, with little or no notice, that an
account of yours will be shut down unless you reconfirm your billing
information, do not reply or click on the link in the email. Instead, contact
the company cited in the email using a telephone number or Web site address you
know to be genuine.
- Avoid emailing personal and financial information. Before submitting
financial information through a Web site, look for the "lock" icon on the
browser's status bar. It signals that your information is secure during
transmission.
- Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them
to determine whether there are any unauthorized charges. If your statement is
late by more than a couple of days, call your credit card company or bank to
confirm your billing address and account balances.
Report Frauds & Scams:
It's not always easy to spot scams, and new ones are invented every
day. If you suspect that you may be a target of fraud, or if you have already
sent
funds, don't be embarrassed - you're not alone. If you want to report a fraud,
or if you need more information, contact
PhoneBusters:
Toll Free: 1-888-495-8501
Fax: (705) 494-4008 Toll Free Fax:
1-888-654-9426
Email: info@phonebusters.com
or contact the Competition Bureau
1-800-348-5358
Website: www.cb-bc.gc.ca
Email: compbureau@cb-bc.gc.ca
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"Phishing"
Scams
