What are some common phishing tactics that are used?
Many phishing emails are well designed and convincing and will even include a familiar company logo. One popular tactic is an urgent email or phone call stating: “There Is a Problem With Your Account. Confirm your account number, password.” You might also receive a friendly notice such as: “You Just Won a $100 Gift Certificate. Give us your name, address and Social Security number.” Signs of potential fraud with email phishing are: • “Dear Merrill Lynch Client” (no customized salutation; this is a mass-mailing of a phishing e-mail). • “We couldn’t verify your account information.” It is highly likely that established companies — such as Merrill Lynch — would not have backups upon backups of your account files. Even if a company with which you conduct business did indeed lose your account information under some extraordinary, catastrophic circumstances, it is highly likely they won’t notify you through a casual, brief e-mail.
