The letter from VA warns individuals to guard against “phishing” efforts and telephone solicitations asking for personal information. What does this mean?
“Phishing” is a term that relates to unsolicited messages that individuals receive on their computers. “Phishers” send an e-mail or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you may deal with – for example, an Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message may ask you to “update,” “validate,” or “confirm” your account information. Some “phishing” e-mails threaten a dire consequence if you don’t respond.The messages direct you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization’s site. But it isn’t. It’s a bogus site whose sole purpose is to trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name.VA also warns individuals to beware of telephone solicitations by people who claim to be from VA or other trustworthy sources asking you to give personal information or to verify or correct personal information. VA, other
