Guide to Phishing Scams and Identity Theft

Phishing is a type of identity theft that involves the catching of vital information somehow. In this case, it usually happens as your bank account or other financial information is requested.

One main form of phishing is the retrieval of information via e-mails. Usually they are unsolicited, meaning you have not signed up for any newsletter or any service or product.

These e-mails just some to you like any normal spam would arrive, usually to your junk mail. However, the people sending these e-mails get very crafty.

They might find a way for it to reach your inbox above all others, such as forwarding it to you using a future date such as May 1, 2030 or something equally that ridiculous. This is done so that you get the info before it arrives before any legitimate mail you would get in your inbox.

Retrieval of Details

One way that phishers may get your private details is via online registration forms. Sometimes it happens because you have authorized a third party to receive your information. Technically this is something you would agree to.

However, in the process you may not always know to whom you are giving your information. An administrator of a website may not even know, and they website to which you register may not be responsible directly.

However, either way you are troubled by the fact that someone out there may have taken your personal information. Not only that but that person or even company may have used it against you.

Precautionary Tips

You need to be very careful what you agree to when online. If at all possible do not accept any requests from third parties at all.

If you do, it is very important you know who has your information. Otherwise, it is best not to give your information out.

Furthermore you should do the following to protect yourself:

• It is necessary that you install your computer with an anti-virus program. It also is advisable to get a firewall.
• Be careful not to give out any of your personal financial information to sources you do not trust. For instance, be very cautious bout giving out your bank account, passport, or insurance number. The same applies to giving out your birth date, social security number, and so on.
• Do not allow total strangers to use your computer. Likewise, whenever possible try not to access any of your financial or bank accounts on a public computer.
• If you check your e-mail on a public computer, log out completely afterwards. Also close the browser window and even restart the computer if allowed.