Protect Yourself against Phishing

Phishing is a method of identity theft used to lure an Internet user into revealing personal information, such as passwords and credit card information, on a fraudulent web site. This is normally achieved through email messages pretending to come from a legitimate bank or other financial entity. 

The most common techniques are emails which alert the customer of a security violation and request that their account information be verified. These emails usually come with a "link" imbedded into the email requesting the customer to "click" on it to update their information. If the recipient clicks on the link and enters personal information into this fraudulent website, the criminals now have full access to the customer's information.

You can normally spot a fraudulent email by the way the fake company addresses you as "Dear Customer" rather than using your proper name.

How can you protect yourself?
The simplest way to protect yourself against a Phishing crime is to never click on a link embedded in an email. If you are ever requested to verify your on-line information through an email message, call the financial entity through a phone number you are familiar with, and notify them of the email. 

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