Do you suspect that you have a phishing email? Listen to the Tech woes privacy pros determine phish from legit, and defeat phishing email.
A phishing email
is one that is sent to steal personal information. Maybe they want to steal your bank account information, so they can empty your account. Possibly, they want to take out a large loan in your name. To be sure, you do not want to give out your username/password or other personal information to someone over the phone or via email. So, if you get an email that looks like it comes from the bank, call the number you have for the bank – not the one in the email. Conversely, you could login to your account online – but do not click the email link!
Following is a transcript
of a person with a phishing email message and a boneheaded and unhelpful tech support person. Of c
Unhelpful tech support guy: Technical support. How may we humiliate you?
Unsuspecting tech woes victim: I just received an email that says there is a problem with my Bank of America account.
Unhelpful tech support guy: Do you have an account with Bank of America?
Unsuspecting tech woes victim: No, I don’t.
Unhelpful tech support guy: Then, that is the problem. Go ahead and click on the link in the email, and enter all of your personal information, including social security number, date of birth, and mother’s maiden name.
Unsuspecting tech woes victim: Are you sure that’s ok? What if this is a scam to steal my personal information?
Unhelpful tech support guy: Of course it’s OK. Scammers don’t use computers.
Unsuspecting tech woes victim: Thank you so much. I am just feeling a little paranoid about identity theft.
Unhelpful tech support guy: I understand. We’re always here to help. [Aside] That’s the tenth call about that today. Stupid people!