Beware of Phishing, new, high-tech way to steal information

Criminals have come up with a new, high-tech way to steal your credit card numbers, passwords and other vital information. It's called 'phishing' or 'pharming' and it works like this:

An email is designed to look like it's coming from a well-known and respected Web site, such as eBay or Paypal. The email states that there's a problem with your account and tells you to click on a link within the email to update your customer information. When you click on the link, you're taken to a fake Web page, again designed to look like the official site, where any information you enter goes directly to the criminals who set it all up.

It's a confusing and often convincing scam, but fortunately there are ways for you to spot a fake and protect yourself.

Where does the link take you?
The links in fake emails rarely show you the actual Web address - they'll usually hide the address within a phrase like "Click here" or "Log in". So check the url first if it is something like http://www.abcdxyz123.com/ie/xref/paypal/c...vice/index.html don't click it!


Verify if Email is saying that it came from paypal the url shud start with http://www.paypal.com

Does the email ask you for information? Many fake emails will ask you to reply with your personal information or to fill it into spaces provided within the email. Beware of any email that asks you to provide:

Credit or debit card numbers
Driver's License numbers
Passwords
Bank account numbers
Social Security numbers
Your full name
Birthdate
Email addresses




Is the Web page secure? Any time you're asked to give personal information on a Web page, the Web address should begin with "https:". The "s" stands for "secure" and is your key to knowing your information is protected.

And keep your eyes open all the time while surfing. this will protect you.