We need to be in continuous vigilance concerning

our personal financial information. Sometimes when a subject like

"Phishing" gets talked about in the media over a period of time, we

begin to be sometimes too familiar with the subject and as a result, let down

our guard.



Here is a brief reminder of what Phishing is:



It is a use of the email system to attempt to secure

information about your personal identity or financial accounts. The scam is to

basically lure consumers through the means of fake emails, to go to a web site

that looks like it is connected with or is a reputable company. This is

relatively easy to do since it is available right on the internet; I am

referring to company logos and banners that can be instantly copied.

The purpose is so that you will let down your guard and

give away valuable information that can be used to get hold of your assets -

including your credit rating.

They are usually looking for bank account information,

passwords, account usernames, credit card numbers and other such things.



Consumer Tips



To avoid becoming a victim of a

phishing scam, the American Bankers Association offers these tips:

• Never give out your
  
  personal financial information in response to an unsolicited phone
  
  call, fax or email, no matter how official it may seem.


• Do
  
  not respond to email that may warn of dire consequences unless you validate
  


• Contact the company to confirm the e-mail's validity using a
  
  telephone number or Web address you know to be genuine.


• Check
  
  your credit card and bank account statements regularly and look for
  
  unauthorized transactions, even small ones.


• When
  
  submitting financial information online, look for the padlock or key icon at
  
  the bottom of your Internet browser. Also, many secure Internet addresses,
  
  though not all, use https to signify that your information is secure during transmission


• Report
  
  suspicious activity to the Internet
  
  Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the FBI and the National
  
  White Collar Crime Center.
  

For information on identity theft, visit ABA's Consumer Connection.





This article has been contributed by Creative Reporter - Gary Bourgeault:

While been owner and manager of a number of businesses and nonprofit organizations, he finds that he gets the greatest pleasure and satisfaction of helping people to find those things that will help them in life, and make it more pleasureable and meaningul for them.