HSC Information Security Office
Identity Theft and Personal Security, an HSC Public Service Announcement
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into your inbox, e-mail fraud is on the rise. You're the only one who cares more about your private information than anyone else. Learn more about how to protect yourself from just one of many types of identity theft - Phishing Scams.
Phishing is the act of sending a deceptive e-mail to look lik an authentic e-mail from a well established firm in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information, such as credit card numbers, bank account information and passwords, that could be used in an identity theft.
Before you give anyone sensitive information, you need to be resonably sure that they are who they claim to be.
Here's a few ways to protect yourself from these phishing scams:
- View Websites by typing the URL into your address bar, if you suspect an address is not legitimate.
- genuine address: www.citibank.com
- fraudulant address: www.citi-bank.com
- When in doubt, delete. Delete any e-mail you have doubts about, especially one that requests you to give up your personal, private information.
- Report suspected abuses to the proper authorities.
- Never respond to requests for personal information via e-mail or pop-up windows.
- Routinely review your credit card and bank statements.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
A phishing scam begins with a malicious user who sends out millions of fraudulent e-mail messages that appear to come from popular Web sites or from sites that you trust, like your bank or credit card company.
The message usually says you need to "update" or "validate" your account information.
EXAMPLES of Fraudulant Messages:
