Phishing—Don’t take that bait!

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Phishing is a scam that uses email or pop-up messages including instant messages to steal your personal financial information. In many instances, the message contains a link that goes to a fake website. The messages seem to come from well-known companies. eBay and PayPal are two favorites of the scammers. Banks are another favorite. The fake websites look very much like the real websites.

Want to see how savvy you are about these scams? Take the SonicWALL Phishing IQ Test. How well did you do? It’s not easy to distinguish between a real and a fake message is it?

Here are 3 things to note to avoid being hooked by such scams:

• Reputable companies and financial institutions, like your credit union and bank, NEVER, EVER send e-mails asking for personal information and account number information they already have on file. Always be suspicious of any request for information that comes from an unsolicited e-mail. When you initiate the online contact with your bank or a reputable merchant, you may provide information to purchase merchandise or handle your account.
• If you want to make sure this is a scam or if you think the email, phone call or letter might be genuine, simply call your financial institution, using the number on your statement or that you looked up in the phone book, and ask if they sent the email, letter, or made the phone call.
• Never include account numbers and passwords in an email message.
• Never call the phone number in an email message, or left on your answering machine. Use the phone number listed on a recent statement.
• Report the scam to the company, using the customer service number or website address from a recent statement. You can send the actual spam to the FTC at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• NEVER click on the link in an e-mail of this sort, even if it looks legitimate. The link takes you right to the scammers not the real company.
• Never enter personal or financial information in a pop-up window. Some forms of phishing use a pop-up window on a legitimate site.
• Protect your computers by using a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software and spam filters.

These CCU and StraightTalk resources will help you learn more about protecting yourself and your personal financial information.

• This Scam Will Hit You This Week! But You Don't Have to Be "Phished"
• Opting Out for Peace and Security
• Enhancing Your Online Privacy and Protecting Your Personal Information
• Going Wireless? Protect Your Personal Information
• Managing Your Personal Finances on the Internet
• Keeping Your Computer Secure and Your Personal Information Safe
• Are You At Risk of Identity Theft
• Identity Theft
• Phishing Scams
• Popular Scams - How They Work & How to Protect Yourself

Additional Resources

How Not to Get Hooked by a ‘Phishing’ Scam from the FTC

Fake Credit Report Sites: Cashing in on Your Personal Information from the FTC

Internet Crime Complaint Center is a partnership between the FBI and National White Collar Crime Center. If you think you've been scammed, you can report it here.

OnGuard Online: Phishing

Check out the Phishing Archive at Anti-Phishing.org for descriptions of the latest phishing attacks.

Prepared for Corning Credit Union by Remar Sutton & Associates, May 2005. Reviewed and updated December 2007. All rights reserved.

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