• Home
  • Security Consultant
  • Expert Witness
  • Articles
  • Podcast
  • Media Interviews
  • Contact

Crime Doctor

Making Places Safe

Phishing Scams – How to Avoid Being a Victim of Internet Identity Theft

May 12, 2018 Chris McGoey

Phishing scams are one of the fasting growing internet crimes in the world.

Phishing scams are a form of Internet identity theft. It is used by a cyber-thief to steal your good name and credit rating. The term phishing is a clever variation on the word “fishing.” The idea of the scam is that bait is thrown out with the hopes that someone will be tempted into biting.

Phishing Scams: Definition

Phishing (fish’ing) (n.) according to Webopedia: 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 surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail directs the user to visit a Website where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords, credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has. The Website, however, is bogus and set up only to steal the user’s information.

Phishing Scams: A Growth Industry

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the world. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, one in four Internet users have received phishing scams and 70% were fooled by them. In 2003 we saw a proliferation of the phishing scams where users received e-mails supposedly from eBay or another major company claiming that the user’s account was about to be suspended unless they clicked on the provided link and updated their financial information. It is relatively simple to make a bogus Website look like a legitimate company site by mimicking the HTML code. The phishing scam is counting on people being tricked into thinking they were actually being contacted by eBay and were subsequently going to eBay’s site to update their account information. By spamming large groups of people, the “phisher” counted on the e-mail being read by a percentage of people who actually had listed credit card numbers with eBay legitimately.

The number and sophistication of phishing scams sent out to consumers are continuing to increase dramatically. Direct economic losses in the United States alone totaled over $574 million in 2004, according to the Federal Trade Commission. If not curbed, these crimes have the potential to make the Internet so untrustworthy that electronic commerce might slow considerably. While online banking and e-commerce are very safe, as a general rule, you need to be careful about giving out your personal financial information over the Internet. Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information because it’s probably a scam.

Phishing Scams: How to Avoid Being a Victim

  • Phishers typically include upsetting or exciting (but false) statements in their e-mails to get people to respond immediately
  • Phishers typically ask for personal information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc.
  • Phisher emails are typically NOT personalized. Valid messages from your bank or e-commerce company generally have your correct name
  • Be wary of e-mail! Never click on any link to a bank, eBay, or other merchants. Instead, open a browser (not just a new window) and type in the URL yourself. When in doubt, call the institution using the number listed in the phone book, not one provided in the e-mail or link
  • Avoid filling out forms in e-mail messages that ask for personal financial information
  • Practice good computer hygiene. Don’t click on attachments. Run both anti-virus and anti-spyware applications. Firewall and privacy protection software are also a good idea. Update this software, as well as your operating system, on a regular basis.
  • Encrypt it or shred it. Use a cross-cut shredder (makes confetti, not long strips which are too easily reassembled) or burn documents containing personal information. Do not store PINs on your computer; lock them up or encrypt them.
  • Ensure that you’re using a secure Website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your Web browser. Check the beginning of the Web address in your browsers address bar – it should be “HTTPS://” rather than just “HTTP://”
  • Regularly check your bank, credit and debit card statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate
  • Order credit reports on yourself yearly and reviews them carefully. (These are often available for free. Visit www.privacy.ca.gov for information.)

Report “phishing scams” or “spoofed” e-mails to the following groups:

  • Forward the phishing email to reportphishing@antiphishing.com
  • Forward the phishing email to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov
  • Notify the Internet Fraud Complaint Center of the FBI by filing a complaint on their website: www.ic3.gov

Learn More about Premises Liability Litigation

Download 113-page eBook written by Security Expert Chris E. McGoey

  • Security Expert’s Guide to Premises Liability Litigation
  • Evaluating Crime Foreseeability and Inadequate Security Cases
  • Biography of Chris McGoey
  • Testimonials from a few clients
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Media Interviews
  • Premises Liability Litigation Book
  • Retain Chris as a Security Expert Witness
  • Hire Chris as a Security Consultant
  • Chris McGoey Blog Article Index
  • Crime School Podcast Index

Contact Security Expert Chris E. McGoey

Email      213-537-3505      Twitter

Tagged With: scams

Please share on social media

  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • stumbleupon

About Chris McGoey

My biography spans 53 years of studying, evaluating, and developing security plans worldwide. I'm a habitual skeptic, a chronic people watcher, a golf fanatic, and a relentless traveler.
Email | Twitter

Related Posts You May Like

  • Scams and Con Games – Internet and Telephone Solicitations
  • Nigerian Scam – Advance Fee 419 Internet Fraud
  • Nigerian Advance Fee 419 Internet Fraud Scam
  • Sierra Leone Scam – Advance Fee 419 Internet Fraud
  • Lome Togo Scam – Advance Fee 419 Internet Fraud Scheme
  • African Internet Scams – Lome Togo Nigeria Sierra Leone

Premises Liability eBook

Premises Liability Book

Podcast Reviews

  • Great information and insight
    June 13, 2018 by djpoland from United States

    I have been listening to this podcast now for several months. It is one of the best sources of information concerning crime, security, and ways of making your home and business safe. Keep up the good work. Thank you for all you do to help so many people. DJ in Scottsburg, IN

  • Interesting, provocative, relevant and riveting
    July 29, 2017 by Lindapre from United States

    This is a very valuable service and I appreciate this high level of expertise to keep me knowledgeable, safe and sound. Everyone should subscribe and stay well-informed. Thanks Chris!

  • 10 reasons why burglars might choose your home
    July 28, 2017 by binwoodside from United States

    I am not one of those people who believes there is a bad guy behind every bush but Chris offers good advice that can be very useful to all of us. His tips can prevent us experiencing a home robbery due to our own carelessness. It amazes me that people use social media to advertise their absence from their homes. There are plenty of other points of carelessness Chris describes that also advertises to burglars. His voice is easy to understand and listen.

  • Educational eye-opening strategies for crime prevention
    October 22, 2015 by taylor826 from United States

    He pretty much covers the gamut of high-risk scenario from personal safety to commercial property security. He provides insights to how criminals could perceive potential victims as vulnerable. I don't own commercial property or a business, but the security best practices he outlines which mitigate potential crimes in multiple industries, also increases my awareness to avoid such businesses/locations that don't implement those policies. You don't want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

  • Excellent content
    July 1, 2015 by Ken Burgin from Australia

    Chris has been the ‘crime doctor’ for many businesses over the years - not much he hasn’t seen and fixed! Great to have his expertise coming to us directly through his podcast interviews. Highly recommended!

  • Crime School Radio is a Winner!
    June 18, 2015 by Liquor License Advisor from United States

    As a security expert, Chris McGoey was and continues to be a trailblazer. First, his informative website and book. Now this convenient, cutting-edge and educational podcast. Chris has an uncanny knack for knowing just what the world needs. With this show, he delivers vital information on safety and security in plain language that everyone can benefit from.

  • Helpful Content for Retail and LEO
    May 21, 2015 by StandardOfTruth from United States

    Chris is an industry expert with real world experience. It is also refreshing to hear a security podcast with crystal clear audio and presented in a professional way.

  • Fantastic! Informative and relevant.
    May 13, 2015 by isntrocketscience from United States

    I have seen Chris McGoey several times as a security expert on TV so I was curious to hear his Crime School podcast. As expected the podcast provides valuable information for keeping us safe and useful ideas for everyday life. I plan to listen to every episode. Keep 'em coming Chris.

  • Home Security Safe Room
    May 13, 2015 by TimInArizona from United States

    Outstanding! Very thorough. I would like to see police departments link to this audio as part of their crime prevention education of their citizens.

  • Great show about crime and loss prevention
    May 12, 2015 by CrimeRx from United States

    A great resource for new and veteran crime prevention practitioners. I have subscribed so I won't miss and episode.

Chris E. McGoey CPP, CSP, ICPS, CAM
McGoey Security Consulting
Jonesborough, Tennessee
951-461-8950
Chris@CrimeDoctor.com

Copyright © 2023 - Aegis Books, Inc and Chris E. McGoey - All Rights Reserved -

Terms of Use  |  Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy