January 5, 2010
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Protecting Against Phishing, Pt.2
Look, listen, and communicate.Successful phishing scams gives thieves the ability to reproduce counterfeit documents that allow them to obtain loans, driver's licenses, and new credit card accounts under your name. The damage can take years to repair and in some cases you could be permanently scarred. It can financially ruin you and destroy your good credit history. You could potentially loss access to all credit including the use of your credit card. However, with a little understanding and carefully scrutinizing all your emails, you can better protect yourself against phishing.
What your bank wants you to know: All banks and credit card companies want their customers to know that they will never send you an email requesting confidential and personal information. They also want you to know that they will never ask you for your bank account, debit card, or credit card account password or Personal Identification Number (PIN) by telephone, email, or face to face. Furthermore, no financial institution employee will ever ask you for this information.
Protecting yourself:
• If any individual asks you for your debit card PIN number or credit card password, take caution and immediately notify the authorities. Whatever you do, do not give this information to anyone. Don't ever respond to any unsolicited emails, internet request, or phone calls. If you did not personally initiate the communication, do not give any personal information.
• Contact your bank or credit card company via phone or in person if you are contacted by an individual or email that you think may be legitimate to determine the nature of their request. Never use the number provided by the email or individual, either look it up in the phone book or on the internet. You'll also find legitimate numbers on your bank and credit card statements. Most importantly, you should be the one contacting your financial institution and you should assure you are using legitimate numbers.