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Fraud Alert
!!
Don't Get
Phished
Take some simple precautions to
avoid getting netted
by Internet "Phishing" scams.
Protecting Yourself Against
E-mail Fraud.
Internet "phishing" scams are one of the
fastest-growing frauds today.
Phishing typically involves a bogus E-mail message that uses
legitimate materials, such as a company's Web site graphics and
logos, in an attempt to entice E-mail recipients to provide personal
financial details, such as credit card and Social Security numbers.
Financial institutions, government agencies, retailers, credit
card companies and many other organizations have seen their Web site
graphics, including corporate logos and other materials,
"borrowed" by fraudsters intent on tricking consumers into
divulging personal financial information by responding to an
official-looking, but entirely bogus, E-mail. Like many cons
and scams, phishing preys on the unwary. Here's how you can
keep your guard up, and help fight back against this form of fraud.
Take Some Simple Precautions.
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Never respond to an unsolicited E-mail that asks
for detailed financial information. Know whom you are
dealing with. |
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Report anything suspicious to the proper
authorities. Alert the company or government agency
identified in the suspect E-mail through a Web address or
telephone number that you know is legitimate. |
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You can also contact the Internet Crime
Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov
--- a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar
Crime Center---if you think you have received a phishing
E-mail
or have been directed to a "phishy-looking" Web site. |
"Stop, Look and Call"
The Department of Justice advises E-mail users to "stop,
look and call" if they receive a suspicious eMail.
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Stop.
Resist the urge to immediately respond to a suspicious
E-mail--and to provide the information requested--despite
urgent or exaggerated claims. |
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Look.
Read the text of the E-mail several times and ask yourself why
the information requested would really be needed. |
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Call.
Telephone the organization identified, using a number that you
know to be legitimate. |
If You've Been
"Phished..."
If you believe that you have provided sensitive financial
information about yourself through a phishing scam, you should:
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Immediately contact your
financial institution. |
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Contact the three major
credit bureaus and request that a fraud alert be placed on
your credit report. The credit bureaus and phone numbers
are: |
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and |
Equifax,
1-800-525-6285;
Experian, 1-888-397-3742;
TransUnion, 1-800-680-7289. |
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File a complaint with
the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov
or 1-877-382-4357. |
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Consumers should never provide their personal information in
response to an unsolicited telephone call, fax, letter, E-mail or
Internet advertisement, says the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
The bottom line : Don't get hooked by fraudulent phishing
attempts !
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