With the increase in the use of the Internet, phishing scams are increasing in Geometric
Progression. In fact, phishing scams have become an alluring profession by
itself and more and more techniques and devices are being generated to rob you
of your hard earned money. The scammers use email messages, phone calls and
websites for achieving these ends. It is therefore essential that you recognize
different kinds of phishing scams and report the same.
- Modus Operandi of Phishing Scams
The phishing scammers install malicious software (malware) on
your computer that steals your important personal information and they use the
same fraudulently to make financial gains for themselves. They use social
engineering to convince you for installing malicious software, in the name of
cyber security. They send you emails, call over phone and convince you for
downloading something from a specific website
- Recognizing Phishing Scams
- Spelling and Grammar
Legitimate organizations have staff of copy editors who are
good in grammar and don’t send out mass emails to others. Scammers are usually
not well-versed with grammar. Therefore, be alerted if you observe any kind of
grammatical or spelling mistakes in the email you receive.
- Links in emails:
If the slightest doubt comes to your mind, instead of
clicking on the email message, rest your mouse over the link to find out
whether the address matches the link that has been typed on the message. You
may find that the link may reveal the real web address, as exhibited, whereas
the string of cryptic number does not look like the web address of the company.
If you follow the directed link, you may be lead to exe files that are meant to
spread malicious software
- Threats
You may receive a threat through email that your bank or
credit card account will be closed if you don’t respond to an email. Scammers
often threaten you that your security has been compromised.
- Spoofing Trusted Websites or Companies
Artists of phishing scams
use graphics in emails that exactly resemble legitimate websites. But, as a
matter of fact, they drive you to fake sites or genuine-looking pop-up windows.
They also use web addresses that are look-alikes, with minutest alteration.
- Phone Calls
Through ‘cold calls’, scammers offer help to solve your
computer problems or sell you a software license. After gaining your
confidence, they ask for your personal information
Report Phishing Scams
● To the Federal Trade Commission in
the United States
● To the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center in
Canada
Microsoft Tools for Reporting
● Internet Explorer: If you land on a suspicious site, click the gear icon and then point your
browser to ‘Safety’. After that, click on ‘ Report Unsafe Website’ and make use
of the web page which is displayed for reporting to the website
● Outlook.com (Erstwhile Hotmail): Click on the box lying next to the message on your Outlook
inbox. Then, click the arrow, adjacent to ‘Junk’ and point to “Phishing Scam”
● Microsoft Office Outlook; 2010 & 2013: First right-click on the suspicious
message, then point to “Junk” and then click on “Report Junk”
