Protection From Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are on the rise around the globe. Phishing requests, most often sent via Email, are deceiving consumers at a record pace into disclosing credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords or other sensitive information. www. LIFEcardSecure.com, an online data protection solution for consumers, has released a special report to help consumers avoid getting "phished."

Phishing messages or requests usually ask recipients to "update' or "validate' sensitive account information. Phishing emails often threaten some dire consequence if consumers do not respond. The messages then direct recipients to a website that looks, but is not, legitimate.

To avoid getting "phished":

— Never reply to email messages that request your personal or financial information. Legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information from their members over email. Phishing scams usually include false, but exciting, language that get recipients to act immediately.

— If you think you have received a phishing email, contact the organization mentioned in the e-mail using a telephone number that you know is genuine to verify the request. Instead of clicking the link within a phishing email, visit the website by typing the domain name directly into your browser's address bar.

— Be sure that you are using a secure website or the telephone when submitting sensitive information. To make sure you are using a secure web server, check the beginning of the Web address in your browser address bar - it should be https instead of http - Also look for an image of a lock on the bottom righ of your browser window to further ensure that the website your are visiting is secure.

— Consider installing a Web browser toolbar to help protect you from fraudulent websites. Toolbars such BrowserAccelerator provide a resource known as TrustGauge, which provides a trustworthiness rating of each website appearing in a consumers browser. The toolbar is available free at www.TrustGauge.com or www.BrowserAccelerator.com

— Keep your personal and financial information secure with a reputable data protection service like LIFEcardSecure.com. By protecting your sensitive information with online data protection services such as those provided by reputable organization like LIFEcard Secure, consumer are better protected from phishing scams. LIFEcard Secure lets members store critical information in a secure and encrypted environment. Learn more at www.LIFEcardSecure.com