Phishing or Brand Spoofing

What is Phishing?: "Phishing" or "brand spoofing" is the act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be a legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into disclosing private information. Government, financial institutions and online auctions/pay services are common targets of brand spoofing.

Methods of transmission: HTML e-mail input form within an email or an e-mail providing a link to a deceptive replica of an existing web page.

Characteristics: The content of a phishing e-mail is designed to trigger an impulsive reaction from you. It can use upsetting or exciting information, demand an urgent response, use a false pretense and is not normally personalized.

Information at risk: Social insurance numbers, full name, date of birth, full address, mother maiden name, username and password of online services, driver’s license number, personal identification numbers (PIN), credit card information (numbers, expiry dates and the last three digits printed on the signature panel) and bank account numbers.

Potential uses of your information: Control of victim's financial accounts, open new bank accounts, transfer bank balances, apply for loans, credit cards and other goods/services, luxury purchases, hide criminal activities, receive government benefits or obtain a passport.

How to prevent: Avoid embedded links in an e-mail claiming to bring you to a secure site. In some cases, the offending site can modify your browser address bar to make it look legitimate, including the web address of the real site and a secure "https://" prefix.

If you’re suspicious:

• contact the enterprise by using a telephone number or website obtained by a credible source and report
• never e-mail personal or financial information
• use anti-spyware, firewall and anti-virus software
• don’t forget to update software on a regular basis

Are you a victim?: If you have provided personal information:
Step 1. Contact all compromised card issuers.
Step 2. Contact your credit bureau.
Step 3. Report the incident online at the RECOL website .
Do you have information?: Contact PhoneBusters : 1-888-495-8501.

Links

• ABC's of Fraud - Online Fraud Quiz