DON’T TAKE THE PHISHING BAIT
Fraudsters “phish” for information such as credit card or bank account numbers by posing as legitimate institutions such banks, employers, or Internet service providers. Some may impersonate friends or family members having an emergency and needing money urgently. The best defense against phishing is skepticism. Most legitimate institutions will never request personal information over email. Instead of clicking any links in those messages, call and verify that the request is legitimate. The same goes for suspect messages from “family” or “friends” — use your own contact information to get in touch or, as the Federal Trade Commission recommends, ask questions to which a cybercriminal wouldn’t know the answer.