Tips - Email

Pfishing - What it is and How to Protect Yourself

Pfishing (sometimes spelled Phishing) is a method of identity theft where con men use fake e-mail that looks like it comes from legitimate sources.

A Pfishing email is sent by cons trying to seduce you into revealing your personal and financial information. Once they receive your information they use it to either clone your identity or to empty out your bank accounts and run up your charge cards. Here are some tips on how to avoid becoming the next victim.

Following is a capsule version of the article written by Cavyl Stewart (available to print as a PDF)

1. NEVER follow the link provided or call the phone number in the email asking you to change your information.  If you suspect you need to change it, go directly to your normal login screen, sign in and change it directly.  Your bank, PayPal and legitimate subscription sources may email you, but would not ask you to sign in by following a provided link, they ask you to go to your login screen.
    
2. NEVER give your bank account, credit card, Social Security Number, passwords, PIN numbers, date of birth or any other personal information to anyone you call from an email number.  Go to your credit card, bank records, etc. and call the number they provide you there.
    
3. NEVER click the link or call the number in an email.  Period.  End of story. 
    
4. FORWARD copies of any Pfishing email to your bank (go to their website and search around customer service for who to send the email to.  If you can't find the link, call them). 
    
5. REPORT any email that seems personally threatening or worrisome to you to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ifccfbi.gov a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center
    
6. IF YOUR GAVE OUT YOUR INFORMATION immediately call your banks, credit card companies and other organization to have them cancel your can and help you protect your information.  They know what needs to be done.
    
7. CHECK YOUR STATEMENTS for unauthorized charges and report them immediately to your financial institution, then call the police and file a report.  Be sure to get a copy for your records.
    
8. Learn how to track the source of those Pfishing emails.

GET MORE INFORMATION on identity theft and Pfishing at the Federal Trace Commission Website at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ or call toll-free 1-877-382-4357. 

Please print out the article written by Cavyl Stewart (PDF).

Deanna Lilly - Bizness Concepts 410-536-4610