Identify and Avoid Phishing Credit Card Scams

"Phishing" pronounced "fishing" occurs when spurious sites or emails capture your credit card or bank account details. Emails are sophisticated, and sites look genuine so it’s very difficult, almost impossible, to catch phishing. So see if these tips help you avoid getting caught in a phishing scam.

Phishing Scams ask for your Username / Passwords

Banks will almost never ask you for your banking details via email. Any email you get with such a request is phishing. Never reply to such an email, never click any links inside it. Immediately delete it. It might be marked urgent, and might come with exciting offers; it might look as if your banker has himself sent it, however, if it asks for any credit card or bank details, its phishing. Simple.

Phishing Scams use Redirected Sites

If you click a link in a phishing email, watch your browser address field very closely. It might look as if your bank, card, or merchant site is opening. However, you will notice that suddenly a new URL has replaced the original one and you are being re-directed to another phishing site. Solution – never click a link in an email, always type the URL manually.

Always Use https Sites

The most secure sites begin with https://, not http://. Never enter your credit card details or password at a http site because it may be phishing. Similarly, never fill out forms in an email because it maybe phishing.

Use Anti-Phishing Toolbars and Browsers

Google and other reputed toolbars, as well as browsers such as Internet Explorer 7 and Mozilla’s Firefox 2+ come installed with anti-phishing software. Installing and using these are your best protection against phishing.

Keep your PC Updated

Regularly update your operating system, for example, Windows. Similarly, update and apply security patches for MS Office or OpenOffice because that’s a good way of remaining protected against the latest phishing scams. You will find most of these at the vendor’s website. Use and update your anti-virus as well as anti-spyware regularly.

Other Measures

Keep a strict check on your bank accounts and online transaction statements. Keep changing your password regularly and always use passwords which can’t be easily guessed. Keep an offline bank account whose details must never be used online and keep most of your money in this account. Also, use only one low-limit credit card for online transactions. If you see any suspicious activity, alert your bank and card company immediately. They will block your card and that will lower your risks substantially. Be alert, be suspicious, and remain on your guard at all times.