Tips to Report Phishing Websites that Misrepresent Trusted Organizations

Internet scammers are becoming more creative and cunning in evolving confidence tricks. No longer do phishing emails come written in lousy grammar or from strange and suspicious websites. Nowadays, phishing websites clone genuine and trusted websites, so that internet users can be lured to walk in without a second thought. In the recent years, cyber security has witnessed lot of efforts from people to report phishing websites that mimic:

●     Top MNCs and Government organizations with emails directing job seekers to enter phishing websites and even pay upfront for deposits and application fees

●     Government departments such as the IRS and the FBI. Many businesses receive false notices from phishing websites that their taxes are overdue or that some compliance has not been met with.

●     Technical support scam is the most happening type of scam, where people must report phishing websites immediately, that requires them to download malware into their systems.

●     Banks are among the top misrepresented organizations by way of phishing websites. This is the reason why many banks urge their customers to use their customized secure platform to access internet banking and to report phishing websites that may approach their customers.

Report phishing websites to the organizations misrepresented

This will help in getting the crime resolved much faster. To report phishing websites, an email complaint must be directed to the organization that has been mimicked by the scammers. A screenshot of the phishing website will be of immense help. Most business houses have a strong scam protection department which will ensure speedy action against their identity being misused. Even in the case where the duplication in name and identity has happened without any ulterior motive, they will proceed with legal charges for infringement of intellectual property. In these cases, the victims must produce records of all email threads and details of financial transactions performed on the phishing websites.

Report phishing websites while shopping online

Online shopping portals witness huge amount of financial traffic, with shoppers paying by means of credit, debit cards and net banking. Many phishing websites that misrepresent trusted shopping portals like Amazon, eBay and Flipkart are on the active scenario, where attempts to report phishing websites are overlooked. These scammers make a large amount of money by redirecting online payments as well as commence bigger financial frauds like identity fraud. Using the credentials keyed in, the scammers are able to hack into the bank accounts of the victims. This necessitates an urgent need to report phishing websites.

Report phishing websites to cyber police

One cannot underestimate the importance of this statement. Different cybercrime protection agencies operate in different jurisdictions. There are many watchdog organizations like Action Fraud, Identity Theft Resource Center, to mention a few, that can navigate victims and connect them to the right places to report phishing websites. For the citizens of US, complaints to report phishing website can be lodged with the IC3, which is a multi-pronged organization that challenges cybercrime. In UK, Action Fraud is the cyber hygiene enhancer, which accepts complaints of phishing websites.

Why You Should Report Phishing Websites

The government and various businesses are constantly encouraging people to report phishing websites in order to end the growing problem with phishing scams. Since phishers are constantly employing various methods to deceive their victims and continue with their schemes, it is becoming more difficult for the government and businesses to keep up with all their stunts. This is one of the reasons why the contribution of phishing scam victims is very important in resolving further phishing scams.

People who report phishing websites are often manipulated into providing their bank, credit card details or even personal information through the use of false email correspondence. Since email is the fastest and cheapest way to reach out to the highest number of victims, it is no surprise that many phishing scams begin through the use of communication platform. This is also the reason why there are an overwhelming number of phishing website victims every year, which is why the government and all concerned establishments are working together to convince victims to step up and report phishing attacks that they have encountered. There are many reasons why you should actually do this and take part in this campaign. To give you some ideas, see the list below:

Why Report Phishing Websites

●     When you report phishing websites you are not only helping yourself, you are also helping other potential victims. Your report can serve as a warning to others of a possible phishing attack. This way affected communities can take necessary steps to secure their own interest.

●     The sooner you report about a phishing site the sooner you can find out how and who is using the information that was stolen from you.

●     Also, once you file a complaint about your stolen information authorities and relevant agencies can place an alert on your bank or credit account in case the scammer uses your information for their own malicious intent.  This does not only protect your assets, but it also helps find the scammer behind the phishing attack.

●     Your report automatically waves your involvement in any crime committed using your stolen information. Your report or complaint can serve as an evidence that you are unaware that your account is being utilized to conduct illegal or criminal activities.

●     Victims who report phishing scams are given access to government programs that can help address relevant problems to the scam such as identity theft. These programs include recovering good credit standing and protection of resources from any future or further malicious attacks.

●     In some cases, the government may even offer you access to their partner charitable institutions who help provide free legal counselling so you know how to move forward with your complaint.

●     When you report phishing websites that are illegally using the name of legit businesses you are also alerting the concerned businesses to improve their company's security measures in order to prevent a similar incident from happening in the future.

The details provided above are just some of the reasons why you should report phishing websites. When you report phishing websites you are not only helping the government fight malicious attacks used against innocent victims, you are also unlocking various protections given to victims of phishing scams.

Report Phishing Websites

Report phishing websites to Big Scammers and spare yourself from the fate of losing money and your personal, sensitive and confidential information. From your SSN number to your employment details, your bank account number and your sensitive information, nothing can make an easier target for the tech savvy fraudsters. Don't let your money be swindled and report these websites so that they can be taken down and the IC3 can swing into action. Big Scammers can be accessed at the link below. http://bit.ly/2lO5YUJ

 

Facts to Know; How to Report Phishing Websites

The term “Phishing” is based on the principle of ‘baiting’ to catch a fish by putting a fishing line. Phishing is related to online baiting or luring the unsuspecting victims.  Because of the all-evasiveness as well as the anonymity of the Internet, the scam artists trick you into sharing personal information related to your bank or credit card accounts and then rob you of your money. 

In order to be avoid falling victim to one of these phishing scams, you should take preventive measures. If you still fall victim, you must take immediate remedial measures to minimize your loss. Therefore, you must be aware of the facts to report phishing websites.

When you receive unsolicited emails, asking for the following information, it is high time for you to report phishing websites to proper government authorities or other agencies.

●     Bank Account Number

●     Credit Card Number

●     User name and Password Number

●     Social Security Number

●     Personal Identification Number (PIN)

●     Your Date of Birth

●     Maiden Name of your mother

Indicators to Report Phishing Websites

In order to know; how to report phishing websites, you must know that cyber criminals adopt advanced information technology for designing phishing email messages and websites to attack your email ID and websites. Through the email messages, they are enabled to install malicious software or malware, onto your computer and steal away your personal information. Then, they use them for their personal financial benefit.

Social Engineering is another way adopted by cyber criminals for convincing you to install malware onto your system. Therefore, be prepared to report phishing websites if you find any persuasive emails, phone calls for downloading something, off a website.

Indicators of Phishing emails

However, smart the phishing scammers try to be, they lack in certain aspects that may act as sufficient indication  for you to report phishing websites.

●     Bad Grammar and Spelling Mistakes

Spelling mistakes or grammatical error may arise in a written text, either due to poor knowledge of the English language or inadvertent oversight or clerical error. Professional organizations have experienced and qualified staff that is less likely to commit such mistakes. You must report phishing websites such as these immediately.

●     Be Cautious of Links in emails

Avoid clicking on any link in any email that arouses suspicion in your mind. To make sure, just rest your mouse on the link; without clicking it and see if the link typed in the message matches with the address shown. If you click on the link, you may be led to files that spread malicious software.

●     Threats

You may receive a threat through email message tat your bank or credit card account will be closed, if you don’t fulfill certain condition laid down in the message. In such eventuality, you must report phishing websites. You learn more from ‘Watch out for fake alerts’

Local Authorities for Reporting

In the United State, you should report phishing websites, in FTC Caint Form, in Canada, ask for support from Canadian Anti-Fraud Center. Any fraud related to Microsoft should be reported to the Microsoft Answer Desk.