Consumer Corner: Beware of phishing email scams
Dear Attorney General,I received an email from my bank saying that an unauthorized third party had attempted to access my account and I needed to follow a link to verify my identity. The email looked very official and led to a site that looks like my bank. How can I be sure this is for real?
Dear Kansas Consumer,
This type of email is probably a scam. You should never reply or click on emails asking for your personal information. If you believe the email may be legitimate, always use your account statement or bank card to call the company directly.
Email scams are becoming more sophisticated and widespread every day. One common scam, the “phishing” email, directs consumers to spoof Web sites that look like the real thing. Their goal is always the same-to get your financial information.
Follow these tips to recognize phishing emails and keep your identity safe and secure:
- Phishing emails usually have an urgent tone, threatening discontinued service or financial loss if you don’t take immediate action.
- Even if they look like the real thing, many scam emails have misspellings, bad grammar or poor punctuation.
- Fake emails often use generic salutations such as “Dear account holder” instead of being personalized with your name and account information.
- Check to see if the sender’s email address is from the company represented in the email. Phishing emails are usually sent from an outside or foreign email address.
- Check the Web site link they want you to click on. By moving your mouse over the link, you may be able to see where they want to take you, and whether the address is a valid page on the company’s Web site.
- If you are in doubt, type the link address directly into your Web browser. Never click on the link contained in the email because it could harm your computer.
If you have fallen victim to a phishing scam, file a consumer complaint with my office at www.ksag.org or by calling 1-800-432-2310. As your Attorney General, I will work to keep Kansans safe by spreading information and promoting awareness of consumer issues.