The act of sending an Email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.
The Email directs the user to visit a Web site where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has. The Web site, however, is Bogus and set up only to steal the User’s information.
Phishing scams could be
- Emails inviting you to join a Social Group, asking you to Login using your Username and Password.
- Email saying that Your Bank Account is locked and Sign in to Your Account to Unlock IT.
- Emails containing some Information of your Interest and asking you to Login to Your Account.
- Any Email carrying a Link to Click and asking you to Login.
Prevention against Phishing
Do not click on any links or open attachments from emails claiming to be from your bank or another trusted organisation and asking you to update or verify your details – just press delete.
Do an internet search using the names or exact wording of the email or message to check for any references to a scam – many scams can be identified this way.
Look for the secure symbol. Secure websites can be identified by the use of ‘https:’ rather than ‘http:’ at the start of the internet address, or a closed padlock or unbroken key icon at the bottom right corner of your browser window. Legitimate websites that ask you to enter confidential information are generally encrypted to protect your details.
Never provide your personal, credit card or online account details if you receive a call claiming to be from your bank or any other organisation. Instead, ask for their name and contact number and make an independent check with the organisation in question before calling back.
Have you been scammed?
If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
We encourage you to report scams to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal via the report a scam page. This helps us to warn people about current scams, monitor trends and disrupt scams where possible.
Spread the word to your friends and family to protect them.