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Phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. In other words, Phishing is Internet Identity Theft.
The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft.
The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn't make.or until you're contacted by a debt collector.
How Phishing Through Email works
1. A fraudster will start out sending thousands, even millions, of emails to different mail accounts disguised as messages from a well-known company. The typical phishing email will contain a concocted story designed to lure you into taking an action such as clicking a link or button in the email or calling a phone number.
2. In the email, there will be links or buttons that take you to a fraudulent website.
3. The fraudulent website will also mimic the appearance of a popular website or company. The scam site will ask for personal information, such as your credit card number, Social Security number, or account password.
You think you're giving information to a trusted company when, in fact, you're supplying it to a criminal.
How Phishing Works. Courtesy: Paypal Phishing Guide
QUESTIONS NAMESBEYOND WILL NEVER ASK YOU IN AN EMAIL.
To help you better identify fake emails, we follow strict rules. We will never ask for the following personal information in email:
• Credit and debit card numbers or your CVV/Personal verification code.
• Bank account numbers.
• Driver's license numbers.
• Passwords.
What do thieves do with a stolen identity?
Once they have your personal information, identity thieves use it in a variety of ways.
Credit card fraud:
• They may open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the cards and don't pay the bills, the delinquent accounts appear on your credit report.
• They may change the billing address on your credit card so that you no longer receive bills, and then run up charges on your account. Because your bills are now sent to a different address, it may be some time before you realize there's a problem.
Phone or utilities fraud:
• They may open a new phone or wireless account in your name, or run up charges on your existing account.
• They may use your name to get utility services like electricity, heating, or cable TV.
Bank/finance fraud:
• They may create counterfeit checks using your name or account number.
• They may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks.
• They may clone your ATM or debit card and make electronic withdrawals your name, draining your accounts.
• They may take out a loan in your name.
Government documents fraud:
• They may get a driver's license or official ID card issued in your name but with their picture.
• They may use your name and Social Security number to get government benefits.
• They may file a fraudulent tax return using your information.
Other fraud:
• They may get a job using your Social Security number.
• They may rent a house or get medical services using your name.
• They may give your personal information to police during an arrest. If they don't show up for their court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in your name.
Learn if it's Legitimate
If you're not sure if an email is fake, forward the entire email to info@namesbeyond.com
• Simply click "Forward" and send it to info@namesbeyond.com
• Don't change the subject line or anything else
• Then once you've sent it, delete the email
• In most cases, we can verify if an email is fake or not
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