The number and sophistication of credit card fraud is increasing every year. The explosive growth of e-commerce has attracted the attention of everyone, including online criminals who want to trick you into revealing credit card numbers, personal data and passwords. Such scam is called "phishing" because the criminals are fishing for your valuable information. The number of phishing e-mails sent world-wide each month reaches 6.1 million. The best protection against this growing threat is to be aware of the problem, and to be alert when conducting your online business.

As we have already mentioned, the term phishing comes from the idea that scammers are fishing for personal and credit information by sending out millions of phishing emails that falsely claim to be from a legitimate company you deal with. Fraudsters typically include exciting or upsetting (but false) statements to make people react right away. For example, the message can tell you that the company's records need to be updated, or a security procedure is being changed and you need to verify your account in order to continue using it. The email asks you reply the message or visit a copycat website that looks like a real website from the relevant financial institution.

Once criminals have convinced you to disclose your personal or credit information, they can commit credit fraud. They can make unauthorized purchases with your credit card via Internet or phone, clear out your bank account, or use your personal data to open new accounts.

Phishing e-mails are becoming more difficult to detect even for technically savvy and attentive people. We have compiled a list of tips that will help you prevent fraud and protect your credit score.

• Be suspicious of any emails that request for your personal or financial information (credit card numbers, usernames, passwords, PINs, social security numbers, date of birth, address, etc.)
• Never click on hyper links or download software contained in suspected emails, instant messages, or pop-up windows.
• Typically, phishing emails are not personalized. Vice versa, messages from your credit card issuer contain your full name. If you are unsure that the message is not false, call the company and check the information.

• Don't fill out forms in email messages that ask for personal financial information. You should only share information such as credit card numbers or account information via a secure website or the telephone.
• Copycat websites try not to show the "https://", so get used to look at the address line to be sure where you are going. The address line can display something different, for example "http://www.paypal_officialsite/login.htm".

• Regularly check your credit card statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate. If you see any suspicious transactions, contact your lender.
• Regularly order your copy of a credit report from credit bureaus. That will help you track any unexplained debts or new accounts opened under your name.
• If you need to enter sensitive information online, log onto the website directly by typing in the website address in your browser. Do not copy it from suspicious sources.

Copyright © 2007-2009 www.unioncreditreport.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Share Opinion:

           

Comments

Kylie Robinson, 12:20 AM, July 28, 2008
I have noticed that I started to recieve much more phishing spam

If you have something to say, please leave your comments below.

Your Name: *
Your Email:
Your Comment: *
Enter Number from Picture: *
* - Required Fields