Beware Of Phishing Scams

Phishers are taking advantage of the recent financial crisis to scam people and obtain their sensitive personal information.

I ran across a great article today on the topic published by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Here's an excerpt from the article:

"Phishers send attention-getting emails that look like they’re coming from the financial institution that recently acquired your bank, savings and loan, or mortgage. Their intent is to collect or capture your personal information, like your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information. Their messages may ask you to “update,” “validate,” or “confirm” your account information."

In the article, the FTC provides tips to help avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam. I highly recommend you read the Federal Trade Commission article on phishing titled Bank Failures, Mergers and Takeovers: A “Phish-erman’s Special”.

Another great resource is the OnGuardOnline.gov website, which contains tips from the federal government and the technology industry on how to guard against internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.