Be Aware of Web "Phishing"

The banking industry has been busy in the last couple of years orienting their personnel on how to deal with "phishing". This is not something you do on one lazy afternoon in the docks or during camping.

Phishing is a new form fraud where thieves try to convince their victims that they represent legitimate companies to extract their credit card information. Once relevant information is gathered, the thieves will use the data to shop at their heart’s content using their victim’s account.

Phishing usually starts when a consumer receives an official-looking e-mail from a business. The e-mail looks in every respect like one from a trusted source, such as a bank or e-Bay. The fraudulent e-mail will come with all of the right wording and company logos and will typically profess to be doing a security check, requiring the customer to verify private information.

Consumers who fall for the phishers' scheme click on the ad or call the number and then volunteer their vital banking information: Social Security and account numbers. Then the trouble starts.

Experts say consumers should be aware not to give out personal information when you have not initiated the conversation.

Unless you initiated the call, DON'T give out:

• Your date of birth.
• Your Social Security number.
• Your mother's maiden name.
• The three-digit security code on the back of your card.

Do not give your information out even if someone calls and says they are with your credit card company and are investigating a potential identity theft. Ask for the caller's phone number, and offer to call back. A scammer is unlikely to give you a number. Even if he or she does, don't call back; just report it to authorities. If you call and surrender your account information, kiss your money goodbye: Thieves can use your credit card to shop online in complete anonymity.