Never before has communication been so quick and simple. In todays high-speed internet age, users are now presented with an increasing number of ways to converse with family, friends, clients, and merchants. Unfortunately, as technology improves, so do the instances of internet frauds.
The criminal fraudsters are always looking to benefit from loopholes presented by technology, especially where commercial transactions are involved. With the emergence of online banking and the numerous benefits associated with it, many consumers are taking up this option and creating the necessary online accounts. The fraudster has very cleverly taken advantage of this ecommerce fraud through the use of email and something that has been termed ‘Internet Phishing’.
Phishing involves the setting up of a website that will resemble that of an official commercial enterprise, such as your credit card company. The site is used specifically to capture an individual’s confidential details such as ‘username’ and ‘password’. Armed with the necessary details, the fraudster can get into the persons account and exploit it.
Avoid The Click-through Via Emails
In order to capture your details, you must first be directed to this ‘scam’ website. You will be asked to do this via an extremely professional and legitimate looking email. These scams email will often contain the relevant logo’s and usual disclaimers so that they have the look and feel of an authentic message. The main body of the email will inform you that in order for ‘an issue’ to be resolved, they will need you to log in to your account, perhaps verify a few details and then your account will be updated. You will be presented with a hyperlink, for your convenience, so that you can log directly into your account through this email. This is exactly what you must never, ever do! On no occasion must you ever log in to a website via an email, where your confidentiality may be at risk. Always open up a new browser window and enter the specific website Homepage details. Once there, log in through the normal means. It may take you a few minutes longer to do it this way, but you will not be handing over your personal details to a thief!
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