Beware of Phishing!!!

Phishing is a term used when scammers falsify their identity, normally by stating they represent a legitimate corporation or governmental agency. They then try to entice the consumer into revealing their personal information such as bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords, or other sensitive data. Phishing attacks can happen through either the internet, email, regular mail, or your telephone. Regardless of what method is used, it is important to remember that you should never reveal your personal information, unless you’re certain of who will be receiving it. Follow these tips to avoid being hooked by a phishing scam:

· If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply, and don't click on the link. Legitimate companies won’t ask for your personal information through email. If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization mentioned in the email using a telephone number you know to be genuine, or open a new Internet session and type in the company's correct Web address yourself. Never cut and paste the link from the message into your Internet browser — phishers can make links look like they go to one place, but they actually send you to a false site that’s used to steal your information.

· Don’t trust your caller ID. Some scammers call from what appears to be from a legitimate business and ask you to update your account in order to access a refund. With the help of Internet phones (VoIP), these callers are becoming harder to trace. Scammers can alter your caller ID information to give the perception that the call is coming from a legitimate source (known as spoofing - Commissioner Bronson proposed the anti ID spoofing measure during the 2006 legislative session and quickly won unanimous support from lawmakers). If you need to reach an organization you do business with, call the number on your financial statements or on the back of your credit card.

· Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to check for 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.

· Victims of phishing can become victims of identity theft. While you can't entirely control whether you will become a victim of identity theft, you can take some steps to minimize your risk. If an identity thief is opening credit accounts in your name, these new accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. You may catch an incident early if you order a free copy of your credit report periodically from any of the three major credit bureaus. See www.annualcreditreport.com for details on ordering a free annual credit report.

For additional information give us a call today at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) calling within Florida, 850-488-2221 outside of Florida, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832) en Español. You can also visit us online at www.800helpfla.com.

Remember ... consumer education is the best defense against fraud and deception!