Email: Spam and Phishing

The basic rule with Spam is never reply. This is for two reasons: Firstly what you see as the sender is often an innocent third party. This is why sometimes you will see failed delivery messages to email that you haven't sent. Secondly you will be confirming that your email address is valid. Don't do it.

Phishing is using social engineering to get sensitive information such as passwords and credit card information. For example: You may get an email purporting to be from your bank or credit card company claiming that your details need to be updated or your account will be disabled. So there is pressure to do something. The email looks like it comes from your bank so you click on the link that leads to your bank's website. WRONG. The link will take you to a website that looks like it belongs to your bank but doesn't. There you will be tricked into giving away your details.

Most Phishing websites last less than five days before they are closed down. They only need a very small success rate for these Phishing scams to net very large amounts of money. Don't let it be yours.

Nobody reputable will ever email asking for a password. Neither will they ask for the security code on the back of your credit card.

Never log-on to your online banking account by clicking on a link in an email. Open your web browser and type the bank's address in yourself.

On a similar note: If someone telephones claiming to be from your bank get their extension number and ring back on the main switchboard number.

This site has lots of sample Phishing emails and advice: www.banksafeonline.org.uk

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