Phishing Scams
Phishing scams basically try to get you to give up private information that the scammer can then use to his or her own advantage. Usually this includes passwords for various websites, credit card numbers, or (more rarely now) they will come out and solicit social security numbers, bank account information, and the like. Thieves then use this data to steal your money from you.
One kind of phishing email that you might not notice: An email that appears to be authentic from your bank, credit card or another type of financial business. You are asked to provide updated or new information using a link to their website. Since it appears very official, many people click on the link, travel to the website and log in with their password. Of course, it appears the same as your bank's website, although it is actually a fraudulent one. This is the reason why it is very difficult to notice these scamming emails. Everything appears as it should. One warning sign you should take note of, is that legitimate financial companies will not request that you update your data like this.
Tax Refund Email Scam
The IRS has issued a warning about a tax refund email scam. You get an email allegedly from the IRS saying you are due a tax refund. You are told to click on a link to the "IRS" website. On this page, they request your social security number and other personal information, so you can gain access to your account. The email is a scam and it was created to steal your personal information.
IRS Does Not Use Email
As stated on their website, the IRS will never use email to try to contact you. It certainly wouldn't use it to notify you concerning tax refunds. The IRS will only use the postal services or the telephone to contact you. Don't be taken in by this!
Other Email Scams
The email from Nigeria scam -- Obviously this is somewhat different, but the main point of the scam is an email is sent from a person who claims they are trying to transport money out of a certain country -- commonly Nigeria -- but there is trouble with taxes, crooked law officials, or other problems that require a big amount of money or stop this money from being taking out the country completely. At this point, you are asked to help. In exchange for your help, you will be offered a large portion of up to millions of dollars.
Various Kinds Of Bad Email
Another type of dangerous emails are email attachments embedded with viruses. Or emails that tempt you into clicking on a link where your computer is infected with a Trojan Horse or some other virus.
Avoiding Losses
Using common sense is the best way to avoid Phishing, viruses, and other email scams.
Be cautious of clicking links from people or businesses that are unsolicited. Some ways to protect yourself include updating your anti-virus software regularly, enable automatic scanning of incoming emails, and use of "live protection" while connected to the Internet. Obtain a different kind of malware obstructing software if it is not included with your anti-virus software. Windows Defender is beneficial for avoiding adware or other kinds of secret malware from attaching itself to your computer when you are not aware of it.
Phishing scams basically try to get you to give up private information that the scammer can then use to his or her own advantage. Usually this includes passwords for various websites, credit card numbers, or (more rarely now) they will come out and solicit social security numbers, bank account information, and the like. Thieves then use this data to steal your money from you.
One kind of phishing email that you might not notice: An email that appears to be authentic from your bank, credit card or another type of financial business. You are asked to provide updated or new information using a link to their website. Since it appears very official, many people click on the link, travel to the website and log in with their password. Of course, it appears the same as your bank's website, although it is actually a fraudulent one. This is the reason why it is very difficult to notice these scamming emails. Everything appears as it should. One warning sign you should take note of, is that legitimate financial companies will not request that you update your data like this.
Tax Refund Email Scam
The IRS has issued a warning about a tax refund email scam. You get an email allegedly from the IRS saying you are due a tax refund. You are told to click on a link to the "IRS" website. On this page, they request your social security number and other personal information, so you can gain access to your account. The email is a scam and it was created to steal your personal information.
IRS Does Not Use Email
As stated on their website, the IRS will never use email to try to contact you. It certainly wouldn't use it to notify you concerning tax refunds. The IRS will only use the postal services or the telephone to contact you. Don't be taken in by this!
Other Email Scams
The email from Nigeria scam -- Obviously this is somewhat different, but the main point of the scam is an email is sent from a person who claims they are trying to transport money out of a certain country -- commonly Nigeria -- but there is trouble with taxes, crooked law officials, or other problems that require a big amount of money or stop this money from being taking out the country completely. At this point, you are asked to help. In exchange for your help, you will be offered a large portion of up to millions of dollars.
Various Kinds Of Bad Email
Another type of dangerous emails are email attachments embedded with viruses. Or emails that tempt you into clicking on a link where your computer is infected with a Trojan Horse or some other virus.
Avoiding Losses
Using common sense is the best way to avoid Phishing, viruses, and other email scams.
Be cautious of clicking links from people or businesses that are unsolicited. Some ways to protect yourself include updating your anti-virus software regularly, enable automatic scanning of incoming emails, and use of "live protection" while connected to the Internet. Obtain a different kind of malware obstructing software if it is not included with your anti-virus software. Windows Defender is beneficial for avoiding adware or other kinds of secret malware from attaching itself to your computer when you are not aware of it.
About the Author:
Stephen Grisham, Jr. is a copy writer for InfoServe Media, LLC. InfoServe Media is a Houston Website design and small business Web hosting company. They also provide domain registration, search engine optimization (SEO) and much more. Contact InfoServe Media for all your website hosting and development needs.
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