Don't Get Caught in a Phishing Scam

This kind of phishing has nothing to do with a fishing pole. The crooks who send out phishing emails go after your bank accounts, take out loans in your name, and ruin your credit.

Video Transcription

What you need to know about Phishing scams. Speaker: This kind of phishing has nothing to do with a fishing pole, a hook or even a fish. But if you are not careful, the crooks you send out phishing emails, will clean out your bank accounts, take out loans in your name and ruin your credit. Raquel Tomasino: It's another form of identity theft. It is a scam or it is an attempt to steal your identity. They send you an email address with websites, with logos of organizations that you are familiar with, which tempt you to click into them, to be able to update your data because there is usually a note that comes with it that says, your information needs to be updated otherwise your membership or your card will be canceled. Speaker: Phishing is the fastest growing form of identity theft online. According to one study, Hispanics have a higher chance of becoming victims of identity fraud than any other ethnic group. The scam artist will go to any link to convince you that their phishing emails are legitimate. Even as far as pretending to be the internal revenue service. Victor Omelczenko: They want to steal your personal information by saying, Oh! The IRS is contacting you via the internet through this email and we have a refund coming to you. Click on this link in the email message. Don't believe it. It's a trick. It's a scam. The IRS does not send emails into people's computers telling them that they have a refund coming. Speaker: Phishing emails are extremely successful because they prey on your emotions by threatening to close your bank accounts or foreclosing on your mortgage if you don't reply to their inquiry. Dan Gookin: By using a fear, it's causing you to do something you normally wouldn't do and people do panic about these things and I did too. Speaker: They not only use fear as a tactic but they also try to appeal to your generous side. Raquel Tomasino: They might present themselves as charitable organizations that are collecting money or are trying to help out. Speaker: Phishing emails are designed to look completely legitimate but there are some tell-tale signs that give away their authenticity. Raquel Tomasino: Sometimes they just say 'Dear member', let's say please call us immediately because there is problem with your accounting, we need to update your information. So we have to be very careful not to respond to those. Speaker: These types of emails are sent out in bulk and often do not contain your name. Also look out for emails that convey a sense of urgency. Raquel Tomasino: So if there is - if they tap into that sense of urgency, your fear or concern that you might lose something that you have worked so hard to accomplish. Obviously, you are going to click on it and you are going to want to try to resolve it. Speaker: Another clue is when an email contains a URL or a link to access your account, they make look official but they are actually masking a phony link. Raquel Tomasino: So it is very important that you do not click on those URLs. Those URLs will sometimes have some discrepancies, in either the name or the site themselves. But they look so legitimate that it can fool even the best professionals. Speaker: To check if a URL is fake, rest your mouse pointer on the link. If it reveals a different address, it's a fake. Also legitimate businesses or institutions will never ask for personal information over the internet. Dan Gookin: Legitimate institutions will not ask for that information, especially over the internet. Never ever give your Social Security Number out over the internet. Speaker: And if you do get scammed, go immediately to the real website and change your user id and password. Jim Griffith: Once you have done that, you have resecured your account because what happens with spoof email is the account take over that happens. Usually, that doesn't happen right away. It can take a day, two days, even weeks or months. Speaker: Once you have changed your access information, directly contact the company that you believe was forged. Also, report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission by calling their identity theft hotline or visit them online at www.ftc.gov/idtheft and closely monitor your bank accounts and credit cards for any fraudulent activities. To help protect yourself from phishing scams, experts advice installing phishing filters and the most up-to-date antivirus and anti spyware software on your computer.