Protect yourself from computer phishing

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Cassandra Dyer
  • 48th Communications Squadron Information Assurance
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  If you received an email that told you, they will take all your money if you click on their web link, would you do it? Of course not! So why do so many people get their identification stolen and lose all their savings?

One way is through "phishing," a variation on "fishing." The idea being that bait is thrown out with the hopes that someone will be tempted into biting. Even if a scam artist sends out 10,000 phishing attempts and only two people fall for it, it is still a lucrative scam.

If you have a personal email account, you probably have seen these types of emails. An official looking email informs you that your account may have been accessed by an unofficial third party and it is urgent you click on the URL provided to confirm, update or verify your account data.

The URL then takes you to a website that looks just like the official website you have been to before.

You may think, the site knows what number my card starts with, so it must be okay. What you may not know is every credit card belonging to a particular financial institution starts with the same number. No credit card company will ever ask you to verify your credit card number and expiration date in this manner. They also will never ask you for your personal identification number. If you give this information away, kiss your fortunes goodbye!

The way a phishing fraud works is the culprit sets up a website to mirror a real website. Everything on the website looks just like what you are used to seeing when you visit the original website. Everything, that is, except the web address. The address is usually very similar in an attempt to gain your trust.

If you ever have any doubt, do not click on the web link provided. Instead, manually type in the website address you know to be true. If the message were real, it would be on their home page. If you do not know the website, call the number on the back of your card for more information. Many of the automated phone services will cite the website while you are queuing.

Protect your identity by following these simple steps.
1. If you suspect an e-mail may be phishing, contact the organization's customer support center immediately. Only call the number found on your credit card statement or the back of your card. Voice phishing is another way to steal your information by giving you a false number to call.

2. Be very skeptical of "urgent" messages that require you to enter confidential information. Never click on the URL link provided until you feel confident it's legitimate.

3. Keep your internet browser software up to date and use an anti-virus and anti-spam product.

4. Check your online account balances and transactions regularly for any discrepancies. Do not wait for your monthly statement.

Another way of protecting yourself is by keeping up on your credit report. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 allows consumers to request an annual credit report without any cost or gimmicks. Go to https://www.annualcreditreport.com to request reports from all of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies.

NOTE: This website will only work within the United States or from a government computer. There are websites out there claiming to be free, but in the end, they are not, so be careful. Since you can only request a free report from each company once every 12 months, you may want to spread out your request. There are three consumer credit reporting companies so consider requesting a report every four months using a different company each time. You may find minor differences between the consumer credit reporting companies, but all three companies are vigilant.