FTC Resources for Reporters
Phishing Scams and How to Spot Them
Phishing is a type of online scam that targets consumers by sending them an e-mail that appears to be from a well-known source – an internet service provider, a bank, or a mortgage company, for example. It asks the consumer to provide personal identifying information. Then a scammer uses the information to open new accounts, or invade the consumer’s existing accounts. There are several tips that consumers can follow to avoid phishing scams, such as not responding to e-mails or pop-up messages that ask for personal or financial information.
News Releases:
- FTC Permanently Shuts Down Notorious Rogue Internet Service Provider – 05/19/2010
- Court Orders Internet Pagejackers to Return Ill-Gotten Gains – 07/30/2009
Reports and Workshops:
- Spam Summit: The Next Generation of Threats and Solutions
- Roundtable Discussion on Phishing Education
Video: