Many a time, you receive an e-mail message asking for
personal information that is false. Until you come to the realization, you are duped;
this is what phishing is all about. It is reported that more than 100 billion
spam messages like these are sent to numerous users every day. The way a phishing
e-mail is constructed, it seems very convincing while demanding financial
details, and asking for credit card information or information related to your
bank to dupe you. Another thing is that you will not be able to differentiate
between genuine and malicious website. The email will re-direct the URL to fake
website, which is exact replica of the real website. For example, if you log
into any banking website by clicking on a URL in your e-mail which might seem
perfect but in reality the message is spam and the website is fake. In order to
avoid all this you can employ some methods that are effective in avoiding phishing,
ID theft or identity theft and is essential for cyber security.
Identifying Fake e-mail
The first thing that you need to know is about the tricks of
trade. You need to identify the tricks that are employed by scammers. The phishing
e-mails are the primary weapons that are used to dupe a user into divulging
personal and financial information. Here are some tell-tale signs to identify a
fake e-mail:
·
Take a look at the salutation that contains
words like Dear Sir / madam or Dear Valued Customer. This is a clear indication
that the e-mail is not coming from a genuine source instead from an
organization where you are not a customer.
·
Check the ‘From’ box that will contain garbled
characters or e-mail ID that does not seem genuine.
Check for URL
Many times, scammers will use language that sound convincing
and genuine within the URL of a given website. The trick is employed to lure a
user into believing that the URL is for real and the website is genuine. For
example, you might receive a link in your e-mail message that says something
like banking.onlinebanking.login that is different to what your actual bank is
offering as the login page. You need to check the detailed URL of the website
carefully before you go ahead and use your login credentials. Same goes when
you are using bookmarks, the URL should again be double-checked thoroughly.
One more thing that you should notice is the HTTPS that
should come at the beginning of any URL that you are about to click on. The
best practice is that of manually typing the web address in the address bar.
Telephone Phishing
Telephone phishing is not something new to begin with; it is
the oldest trick in the book to hook a customer. The advantage that a scammer
gets using this technique is that it is hard to detect. However, if you are
aware then you will be able to get past it too.
It is due to lack of awareness that a user divulges
information over the phone when they hear their bank’s name or name of a
financial institution. Often a caller might receive a call asking for
confirming their details for the sake of updating records. You might be asked
for your credit card details, details regarding online banking or your personal
information over the phone. However, if you are alert then you might question
back to gain credibility of the caller and the financial institute.
You should always ask questions and raise queries before
giving any details no matter what. If you find anything suspicious or
information does not match properly then it is time to hang up on them.
Additionally, you can call your bank or financial institution on their customer
care and confirm the number from which you received the fake call. This will
not only clear your doubts but will also help them stay alert against any
telephone phishing frauds.
Email Messages asking for personal information
You should never give your personal or financial information
in an e-mail message. No matter how much convincing or genuine the message
seems, do not believe on it. Chances are that the message is an e-mail phishing
fraud that will be used for identity theft. It is not only giving your personal
details to a third party, but also for any hacker out there who is ready to use
the information to their own benefit.
Your bank or your credit card company will never seek
information in an e-mail message. It is better to delete it and report it to
your bank about it.
Report Security Breaches
If by any chance, you have divulged your personal details including
sensitive information then immediately inform your bank or your credit card
company about it. It is essential to report for security breaches that are used
by scammers and hackers to get their hands on your personal data. Taking this
necessary step will not only help you from further harm but will also ensure to
prevent such incidents in future. It is more as if you are alerting others
about evident dangers and keeping a look out for it.
Any abnormal or unauthorized purchases related to your card
will be thoroughly scanned by the relevant company.
The tricks mentioned here might be generic but are essential
to keep in mind when it comes to data security.
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