Post by "Pop" Stran on Jan 26, 2005 13:01:25 GMT -5
A recent trend is developing that not only has many fine and reputable companies on alert, but also has the potential for doing much damage to many innocent consumers.
The heart of this issue is Identity Theft.
Prior posts related to phishing have touched on this issue, and are addressing the mothods being used to collect your personal data via email.
Many fine and reputable companies such as Ebay, Citibank, Paypal, and dozens of others are being victimized in a milder form, in the hope that your trust in these companies can be manipulated.
You are, after all, the actual target.
Scammers are sending faked emails, complete with company logo and url addresses that appear real, claiming that your account with the company is in danger of being closed, or under investigation for fraud, or some other "hook" intended to make you click the links.
One of two things will happen to you if you fall for this;
You will be taken to a page asking (demanding) that you confirm your personal data including checking account numbers/credit cards,
or you will be downloading malicious software (spyware,keyloggers) that has the potential to steal this personal data at a later date.
First of all, Your account with Ebay or Paypal is registered, and any email from them will address you personally by that username and not by your email address.
The same applies to your bank accounts, although many go a step further and will use your full name in the opening sentence.
Secondly; Be automatically suspicious of any email, no matter how official it may appear, that threatens you with account closures or possible legal actions.
Email is the Least secure method available for communication, and none of these companies will use email to conduct this matter of business.
Should there be a legitimate issue with your account, an official email will simpy ask you to Log-In at their secure site for details.
Discussing details of your account by email, even minor legal issues, is a violation of your privacy...and every reputable company knows this.
They won't do it.
Should you receive one of these faked emails, forward it to the company being spoofed without touching any links within the message.
Most with member-email capabilities such as Ebay also have a Spam desk, and you can forward it to "Spam@"ebay.com for proper identification.
These legitimate companies have a strong interest in seeing these scammers put down, since the reputations that have been built over years, one customer at a time, are being shredded publicly every time someone falls for this scam.
This method of "phishing" for victims by email isn't new; Many years of evolution have gone into this new form, but this current trend is as yet the most dangerous to consumers and trusting netizens.
The fact that the scammers are dragging a handful of large and reputable companies into the mix, while a useful tool for tricking some people, will ultimately be their downfall.
These companies, once they combine their technological and legal resources in a joint effort, will be the hammer that ultimately drives these scammers into the ground.
...but alas...a new batch will grow from the dust...it always does.
The heart of this issue is Identity Theft.
Prior posts related to phishing have touched on this issue, and are addressing the mothods being used to collect your personal data via email.
Many fine and reputable companies such as Ebay, Citibank, Paypal, and dozens of others are being victimized in a milder form, in the hope that your trust in these companies can be manipulated.
You are, after all, the actual target.
Scammers are sending faked emails, complete with company logo and url addresses that appear real, claiming that your account with the company is in danger of being closed, or under investigation for fraud, or some other "hook" intended to make you click the links.
One of two things will happen to you if you fall for this;
You will be taken to a page asking (demanding) that you confirm your personal data including checking account numbers/credit cards,
or you will be downloading malicious software (spyware,keyloggers) that has the potential to steal this personal data at a later date.
First of all, Your account with Ebay or Paypal is registered, and any email from them will address you personally by that username and not by your email address.
The same applies to your bank accounts, although many go a step further and will use your full name in the opening sentence.
Secondly; Be automatically suspicious of any email, no matter how official it may appear, that threatens you with account closures or possible legal actions.
Email is the Least secure method available for communication, and none of these companies will use email to conduct this matter of business.
Should there be a legitimate issue with your account, an official email will simpy ask you to Log-In at their secure site for details.
Discussing details of your account by email, even minor legal issues, is a violation of your privacy...and every reputable company knows this.
They won't do it.
Should you receive one of these faked emails, forward it to the company being spoofed without touching any links within the message.
Most with member-email capabilities such as Ebay also have a Spam desk, and you can forward it to "Spam@"ebay.com for proper identification.
These legitimate companies have a strong interest in seeing these scammers put down, since the reputations that have been built over years, one customer at a time, are being shredded publicly every time someone falls for this scam.
This method of "phishing" for victims by email isn't new; Many years of evolution have gone into this new form, but this current trend is as yet the most dangerous to consumers and trusting netizens.
The fact that the scammers are dragging a handful of large and reputable companies into the mix, while a useful tool for tricking some people, will ultimately be their downfall.
These companies, once they combine their technological and legal resources in a joint effort, will be the hammer that ultimately drives these scammers into the ground.
...but alas...a new batch will grow from the dust...it always does.