How to avoid phishing scams

From the Anti-Phishing Working Group

The number and sophistication of phishing scams sent out to consumers is continuing to increase dramatically. While online banking and e-commerce is very safe, as a general rule you should be careful about giving out your personal financial information over the Internet. The Anti-Phishing Working Group has compiled a list of recommendations below that you can use to avoid becoming a victim of these scams.

Consumer Advice:
What To Do If You've Given Out Your Personal Financial Information

Phishing attacks are growing quite sophisticated and difficult to detect, even for the most technically savvy people. And many people are getting onto the Internet and using email or Web browsers for the first time. As a result, some people are going to continue to be fooled into giving up their personal financial information in response to a phishing email or on a phishing website. If you have been tricked this way, you should assume that you will become a victim of credit card fraud, bank fraud, or identity theft. Below is some advice on what to do if you are in this situation (note - some of this information is specific to United States federal laws):

• If you have given out your credit or debit or ATM card information
• If you have given out your bank account information
• If you have given out your eBay account
• If you have downloaded a virus or Trojan that has captured information off of your computer
• If you have given out your personal identification information (e.g. Social Security Number, etc.)
• For more information

If you have given out your credit or debit or ATM card information

• Report the theft of this information to the card issuer as quickly as possible
  • Many companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies.
• Cancel your account and open a new one
• Review your billing statements carefully after the loss
  • If they show any unauthorized charges, it's best to send a letter to the card issuer describing each questionable charge.
• Credit Card Loss or Fraudulent Charges (FCBA).
  • Your maximum liability under federal law for unauthorized use of your credit card is $50.
  • If the loss involves your credit card number, but not the card itself, you have no liability for unauthorized use
• ATM or Debit Card Loss or Fraudulent Transfers (EFTA).
  • Your liability under federal law for unauthorized use of your ATM or debit card depends on how quickly you report the loss.
  • You risk unlimited loss if you fail to report an unauthorized transfer within 60 days after your bank statement containing unauthorized use is mailed to you

If you have given out your bank account information

• Report the theft of this information to the bank as quickly as possible
• Cancel your account and open a new on

If you have given out your eBay account

If someone else is using your account to bid, leave feedback, or list auctions without your permission:

• Contact eBay
  • eBay has set up a link for HIJACKED ACCOUNTS
  • If someone is currently listing auctions on your account, you may also use the hotline options:
    • Member Problems... Law Enforcement... Please Investigate a Current Listing for Possible Fraudulent Activity
  • Please only use this option if there are current fraudulent auctions.
• Attempt to sign in and change your password
  • If you are able to sign in, change your password and hint immediately, and begin to undo any damage done by the hackers
    • remove any bogus auctions, contact bidders and sellers, etc.
  • If you were unable to regain control of your own account, eBay will likely suspend it for a while until they complete their investigatio

If you have downloaded a virus or Trojan

Some phishing attacks use viruses and/or Trojans to install programs called "key loggers" on your computer. These programs capture and send out any information that you type to the phisher, including credit card numbers, usernames and passwords, Social Security Numbers, etc. In this case, you should:

• Install and/or update anti-virus and personal firewall software
• Update all virus definitions and run a full scan
• Confirm every connection your firewall allows
• If your system appears to have been compromised, fix it and then change your password again, since you may well have transmitted the new one to the hacker
• Check your other accounts! The hackers may have helped themselves to many different accounts:
  • Check your eBay account, PayPal, your email ISP, online bank accounts, online trading accounts, Amazon.com and other e-commerce accounts, and everything else for which you use online password

If you have given out your personal identification information

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. If you have given out this kind of information to a phisher, you should do the following:

• Report the theft to the three major credit reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Corporation, and do the following:
  • Request that they place a fraud alert and a victim’s statement in your file.
  • Request a FREE copy of your credit report to check whether any accounts were opened without your consent.
  • Request that the agencies remove inquiries and/or fraudulent accounts stemming from the theft.
• Major Credit Bureaus
  • Equifax - www.equifax.com
    • To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
    • To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285 and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
    • Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056 and ask the operator to call the Auto Disclosure Line at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your report.
  • Experian - www.experian.com
    • To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write: P.O. Box 2002, Allen TX 75013
    • To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) and write: P.O. Box 9530, Allen TX 75013 TDD: 1-800-972-0322
  • Trans Union - www.transunion.com
    • To order your report, call: 800-888-4213 or write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
    • To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289 and write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634 TDD: 1-877-553-7803
• Notify your bank(s) and ask them to flag your account and contact you regarding any unusual activity:
  • If bank accounts were set up without your consent, close them.
  • If your ATM card was stolen, get a new card, account number and PIN.
• Contact your local police department to file a criminal report.
• Contact the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline to report the unauthorized use of your personal identification information.
• Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of your identity theft.
  • Check to see whether an unauthorized license number has been issued in your name.
• Notify the passport office to be watch out for anyone ordering a passport in your nameFile a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
  • Ask for a free copy of "ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen in Your Good Name", a guide that will help you guard against and recover from your theft.
• File a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC)
  • http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
  • The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), with a mission to address fraud committed over the Internet.
  • For victims of Internet fraud, IFCC provides a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of a suspected criminal or civil violation.
• Document the names and phone numbers of everyone you speak to regarding the incident. Follow-up your phone calls with letters. Keep copies of all correspondence.

For More Information