Phishing, Identity
Theft, and Fraud Prevention Information
US Banks >
About
Phishing
Up to 500,000
individuals are victims each year of identity
theft.
Three of the
most common methods thieves use to steal your identity: Phishing,
Spoofing, Pharming
Phishing
Phishing is
the use of fraudulent emails to direct customers to fraudulent web sites
that resemble legitimate bank sites.
"Phishing" pronounced
"Fishing" is exactly that. Crooks are trying to steal your identity, passwords,
and money by fishing. The lure (bait) can come in many forms. The
most popular method of "phishing" is to send out emails claiming to be
from a bank or financial institution and with a link and a fake reason
why you need to access your account.
These emails
can appear to be legitimate because the crook will steal the graphics from
the bank or financial institution they are targeting. The links can also
appear to be legitimate by embedding the .html into a email and using mouseover
javascripts to display a false web address.
These thieves
may even provide a 1-800 number to call. (If you receive a suspicious email,
contact your bank directly).
Spoofing
Spoofing involves
the generation of the fraudulent web sites, designed to mirror the legitimate
site.
Pharming
Pharming redirects
every web-surfer legitimately trying to reach a compromised site to a fraudulent,
"spoofed" web site.
