Protect Yourself Against E-Mail Fraud

Date November 18, 2008

Internet “phishing” scams are one of the fastest growing frauds today. Phishing typically involves a bogus e-mail message that uses legitimate materials, such as a credit union or other organization’s website graphics and logos – the “look and feel” – in an attempt to entice e-mail recipients to provide personal financial details, such as account information, credit card, and social security numbers.

Financial institutions, government agencies, retailers, credit card companies and many other organizations have seen their web site graphics, including corporate logos and other materials, stolen by fraudsters intent on tricking individuals into divulging personal financial information by responding to an official-looking, but entirely bogus, e-mail. Like many cons and scams, phishers prey on the unwary. Here’s how you can fight back:

Take Some Simple Precautions.

  • Never respond to an unsolicited e-mail that asks for personal information, even if it appears to be from a familar organization.
  • Report anything suspicious to the proper authorities.
  • Contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center – a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center – if you think you have received a phishing e-mail.

“Stop, Look and Call”

The Department of Justice advises e-mail users to “stop, look, and call” if they receive a suspicious e-mail.

  • Stop. Resist the urge to immediately respond to a suspicious e-mail.
  • Look. Read the text of the e-mail several times and ask yourself why the information requested would really be needed.
  • Call. Telephone the organization identified, using a number that you know to be legitimate.

If You’ve Been Phished…

If you believe that you have provided financial information about yourself through a phishing scam, you should:

  • Immediately contact the legitimate organization(s) for which you provided the information.
  • Contact the three major credit bureaus and request that a fraud alert be placed on your credit report. The three credit bureaus are:

- Equifax: 1.800.525.6285

- Experian: 1.888.397.3742

- TransUnion: 1.800.680.7289
 

You can have automatic fraud alerts placed and more with LifeLock. Plus, as a Matadors Money Matters reader, you’ll get a 30-day free trial and 10% off!

Never provide your personal information in response to an unsolicited telephone call, fax, letter, e-mail or Internet advertisement. Be aware of phishing scams and protect yourself and your family.

Questions or Comments? E-Mail me at blogger@matadorsmoneymatters.com.

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