Because the Internet has become an increasingly important part of our everyday lives, I would like to make you aware of hoax e-mails that appear to be from a familiar company or organization but can put you at risk.

Although they can be tricky to spot, they usually ask you to click a link back to a “spoof web site” and provide, update or confirm sensitive personal information. To attract you, they may allude to a critical or threatening situation regarding your bank account or other financial statements.

Spoof web sites

A spoof website is one that mimics a popular company's website to lure you into disclosing confidential information. To make spoof sites seem legitimate, thieves use the names, logos, and graphics in order to look as legitimate as possible.

Tips

• If you get an e-mail that warns you, with little to no notice, that an account of yours will be shut down unless you reconfirm your billing information, do not reply or click on the link in the e-mail. Instead, contact the company directly by looking up their telephone number in you phone book.


• If you think that you might have received a hoax email do not call any number on the email or reply to the email.


• Review your credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to determine whether there are any 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.

If you believe you have been scammed, report the suspicious activity to local Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission.