"Pfishing", sometimes spelled "Phishing", is a word that's used to describe a

method of identity theft where con men use fake e-mail that looks like it comes

from legitimate sources. This e-mail is designed to hoodwink you into giving

out personal and financial information. Once the scammers receive your

information they use it to either clone your identity or to empty out your bank

accounts and run up your charge cards. Here are some tips on how to avoid

becoming the next victim. 1. Never respond to an e-mail that looks like it came from your bank or any of

your credit card issuers no matter how official it appears. Phishing scam

e-mails will tell you that there is some problem with your account and that you

have to click on an embedded link to correct that problem. They may threaten to

close your account, or report you to the credit bureau, if you do not respond.

DON'T DO IT. Don't call the telephone number that appears in the email either.

Get out one of your old bank or credit card statements and call the number that

appears there. Explain what the email says and follow the directions that you

receive from the actual employee. Chances are they'll tell you its a scam. 2. Never give your bank account information, credit card numbers, Social

Security number, passwords, personal identification numbers (PIN), or Date of

Birth to anyone who asks you for that information by email. No legitimate

company will expect you to reveal sensitive information via email. Also, no

company that issues you a PIN will ever ask you to reveal that PIN to any of

their employees. 3. Never respond to any offer to buy anything by clicking on the link in the

e-mail. Even if the e-mail looks like it comes from your favorite department

store it might be a scam. To avoid being hooked by Pfishing, type in the URL to

the department store by yourself. Go to Google. com to look it up if you don't

already know it. 4. Forward copies of any Pfishing email to the actual company or bank that is

being imitated by the scammers. You can usually send any email to postmaster@

and then the bank or company name. 5. If a Pfishing e-mail seems particularly threatening or worrisome to you,

report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www. ifccfbi. gov), a

partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. 6. If it's too late and you already provided any of your personal information,

account numbers, or PINs then you should immediately contact your banks and

credit card companies to make arrangements with them to protect your financial

interests. These companies and institutions are familiar with these scams and

they know what needs to be done. 7. If you receive evidence of identity theft, such as unauthorized charges on

your credit card bills, or unexplained transactions in your bank account,

contact the police and file a report. Be sure to get a copy of the report for

your own records and to send to the companies that are involved in the

transactions. You also need to contact all three major credit bureaus (Equifax

at 800-525-6285, Experian at 888-397-3742 and TransUnion at 800-680-7289) and

tell them that you need a fraud alert placed on your credit file. 8. You can get information on ID theft and Pfishing at the Federal Trade

Commission Web site at www. ftc. gov or calling toll-free 877-382-4357. Copyright? 2004 Cavyl Stewart. Discover 52 Ways To Do More With Software by signing up for my exclusive Free ecourse. Get resources, tips, reviews and recommendations you can use right now to help you achieve more, easier, and cheaper! 100% Original content. Visit: http://www. find-small-business-software. com/52ways. html

Author:
Cavyl Stewart