Rising internet usage has increased the number of “phishing” scams involving crooks sending emails that claim to be from your bank, an auction site, or credit card company. A fraudulent, but legitimate-looking email contains a link insisting you click to the company's website to correct a problem with your account.
If a "credit card company" instructs you to follow a link to activate a security protection on your card, it's a fraud. If you do click on the link, you will be directed to a fake website designed to closely resemble a genuine credit card company webpage. The fake site will request details about your account which then can be harvested by the scammers running the phishing operation. The scammers gain the data they require to use the compromised card for fraudulent transactions.
You can protect yourself from internet fraud by following basic computer security tips:
-- Make sure your spam filters and antivirus software are installed and up to date.
-- Never open a file attachment you aren't expecting or that's from an unknown sender.
-- If a bank emails you and asks you to click on a link and enter your account information, don't do it. If your bank, an auction site, or another company has a real concern about your account, you'll be able to find out about it once you've directly logged on from their homepage. Make sure that you personally type the address in your browser. You also can call your bank's customer service hotline.
For additional information on internet and other frauds, visit the U.S. Postal Inspection Service website at https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/.
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