Scammers use all kinds of techniques to take advantage of victims. One of the most common techniques is called 'phishing.' If you've never heard of 'phishing,' it's time to make yourself aware.
It's first important to understand exactly what phishing is. Phishing is a type of scam where scammers 'fish' for information by sending fake emails and setting up fraudulent websites that try to trick you into entering your personal information. The method can be traced back to the 90s and has become even more advanced today.
More advanced identity thieves often make their websites and emails appear like a legitimate company and even copy the look and logo of existing companies. The hope is the victim will have already done business with the company, hence trusting whatever 'company' sends them information and following the prompts to input their information.
Consumers aren't the only ones affected by phishing scams. Business owners can be targets too, especially if they do business online. Because such online scams exist, consumers are wary to make online purchases, fearing their information might be stolen and used. The Federal Trade Commission works to prevent and prosecute such crimes and wants consumers to be vigilant when working with their personal information online.
Not every website can be trusted with your online information. Before you decide to input any of your personal information or bank account information into an online application, it's important to make sure the company you're dealing with is reputable. Check the company's track record with the Better Business Bureau. Consumers can record complaints against particular companies with the organization so it's easy to see whether or not a company is trust worthy. Even so, finding nothing wrong doesn't mean you're in the clear. Do as much digging as possible to find out the real story behind a company.
Another important tip is using a site that operates on a secure server. You can easily tell the difference between a safe site and a not-so-safe site if you know what to look for. First, the URL should say 'https://.' The 's' at the end of 'https://' means the site is secure. There will also be a tiny icon that looks like a lock in the bottom right side of your browser window. The site is safe when it is in the 'locked' position.
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