Don't be hooked by phishing fraud

	Don't Be Hooked by Phishing Fraud
	Phishers use spam, fake Web sites, and other Internet technologies to trick people into divulging sensitive financial information. Protect yourself against this kind of online fraud by following these basic guidelines. » What is phishing? » How to recognize and avoid phishing traps » How can I protect myself?

What is phishing?

How to recognize and avoid phishing traps

• Be extremely wary of emails asking for confidential information-especially of a financial nature. Financial institutions and other responsible companies do not request sensitive information via email. If you receive this kind of request, report it to the company.
• Don't get pressured into providing sensitive information. Phishers like to employ scare tactics. They may threaten to disable an account or delay services until you update certain information, but don't be fooled. Instead, contact the merchant directly to confirm the authenticity of their request.
• Watch out for generic-looking requests for information. Fraudulent emails are often not personalized. Meanwhile, emails from your bank or ISP often reference your business or an account you have with them. Again, confirm the authenticity of any suspicious request before responding.
• Never submit confidential information via forms embedded within email messages.
• If you need to submit corporate credit card numbers or other confidential information over the Internet, make sure the site is secure. To make sure you're on a secure Web server, check the beginning of the Web address in your browser's address bar (it should be "https://" rather than just "http://").
• Regularly check your bank, credit, and debit card statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate. If anything is suspicious, contact your bank and all card issuers.

How can I protect myself?