Beware of unsolicited emails and suspicious pop-up windows. Don't get hooked by scammers out 'phishing'! Internet scammers casting about for people’s financial information have a new way to lure unsuspecting victims: They go “phishing.” Also called “carding,” phishing is a high-tech scam that uses spam to deceive consumers into disclosing their credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords, and other sensitive personal information. Here's how it works The scammers send you an email that appears to be from a business you deal with. It could be your internet service provider, online payment service, or bank, for example. The email says you need to “update” or “validate” your billing information to keep your account active. Then, you’re directed to a “look-alike” website of the legitimate business, further tricking you into thinking you are responding to a valid request. Unknowingly, you would end up submitting your financial information to the scammers, who would then use it to order goods and services and obtain credit – in your name! Be aware The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urges you to take the following precautions to avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam: If you get an email that warns you, with little or no notice, that an account of yours will be shut down unless you reconfirm your billing information, do not reply or click on the link in the email. Instead, contact the company cited in the email, using a telephone number or website address you know to be legitimate. Avoid emailing personal and financial information. Before submitting financial information through a website, look for the “lock” icon on the browser’s status bar. It signals that your information is secure during transmission. Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to determine whether there are any unauthorized charges. If your statement is late by more than a couple of days, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your billing address and account balances. Report suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and send the actual spam to Spam@uce.gov . If you believe you’ve been scammed, go to the FTC website at www.ftc.gov/ and click on File A Complaint. To learn other ways to avoid email scams and deal with deceptive spam go to www.ftc.gov/spam/. Also, visit the FTC’s Identity Theft website http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ to learn how to minimize your risk of damage from identity theft.