What Is Phishing?
All new technologies come with their drawbacks and it is no different with credit cards. One of these drawbacks goes by the name of Phishing. When a person uses a fraudulent email or online shopping site to get hold of information about your credit card or bank, it is called phishing.
Phishing is easy which is why it is so popular with thieves. In the first instance, it begins with a cleverly phrased email that seems to come from your credit card company or your bank. It usually asks you to provide confidential details for verification. It may also threaten to close your account unless you give the necessary information. Another popular method is to set up fake shopping websites that only accept online credit card payment. You will never get the goods that were displayed. If you comply in either instance, you will end up with a highly inflated credit card bill and a sadly depleted bank account statement.
How To Protect Yourself From Phishing?
The best way to protect your credit card from phishing is to reveal information only after cross checking. Often, all you need to do is contact the concerned bank or company and confirm the email. A detailed scrutiny of the email before dashing off a reply also helps. Such emails usually do not have a salutation like 'Dear Customer.' The name of your Credit Card Company or bank will also be spelt incorrectly. Since anti-phishing scanners search text messages, phishers may enclose the message as an image. If your credit card requests are contained in an image, be doubtful.
In case of online shopping sites, beat the tricksters at their own game. For a first time purchase, use a credit card that is about to expire and has minimum credit. If the purchased item does not land at your doorstep within the promised time, at least your losses will be limited and you can be sure that the information cannot be used to perpetuate a bigger fraud.
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