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Learn How to Spot Phishing
Many internet users are of course aware of the problems posed by viruses, Trojan horse programs, spyware and other problems, but many remain unaware of an even greater threat. This threat is known in the business as phishing, and these schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated at separating hard working internet users from their hard earned money.

A phishing scheme begins simply enough, with the sending of an email that appears to originate with a legitimate source. Often these scam emails purport to be from the victim's bank, credit union, brokerage or from an online auction company. Often the email warns of an imminent account shutdown or other dire consequence, and warns of the importance of immediately updating certain account information.

In most cases the fraudulent email will contain a link, which appears to go to a legitimate website address. In most case a form will appear, into which the victim is urged to enter personal information, such as an account number, password, Social Security number, mother's maiden name or other such information.

While the website appears to be legitimate, in reality it is merely a sophisticated and clever way for scam artists to steal your personal information. In fact the information entered into this fraudulent website is being captured, and used in a number of nefarious ways. Chief among the uses for this fraudulently obtained information is to steal the victim's identity. This identity theft allows the scam artist to open account in the victim's name, apply for loans, obtain credit cards, etc. Worst of all, when there are problems with these newly created accounts, it is the victim, and his or her good reputation, that suffers.

Fortunately there are a number of ways ordinary internet users can protect themselves from these types of schemes. One of the most important is to install a quality virus protection program, and to keep it up to date. Keeping these fraudulent emails out of your inbox in the first place will help you protect yourself from possible fraud.

Of course some phishing emails are likely to slip through even the tightest net of protection, so it is important to use your knowledge and common sense when looking through your email box. One of the most important things to know is that no bank, brokerage firm or other financial institution will request sensitive information like Social Security numbers through email. In addition, your bank obviously already has your Social Security number, account number and other information, so they would not have to ask for this information again.

If you are at all unsure about the legitimacy of any such email you receive, it is important to follow up with the company that supposedly sent it, in order to make sure that the email is legitimate. If the email is real, you will gain valuable peace of mind by knowing that. If the email is a fraud, you will have avoided becoming a victim of identity theft. In addition, you will have given the company targeted a valuable heads up that they are a target of fraud artists. By working together with their customers, banks, auction companies and other companies can help protect themselves and their customers from the growing threat of identity theft and internet fraud.