Telephone Scam Series: Phishing Scams

Phishing Scams

Today, we are also discussing phishing scams that occur over the phone.

Phishing scams are becoming more common these days. In one  scam you might encounter, someone calls claiming to be from a credit card company; they say they are checking on your credit card because a large purchase was just made on it out of state. Then they ask for private information such as a password, PIN, or account number to verify you are the real cardholder. Never give this kind of information over the phone! Your real bank or credit card company already has this information on file and would never ask for it over the phone.If you get a call like this, hang up immediately and call that company (at a number you look up yourself) to make them aware of the scam.

READERS, what do you think?

1.    When do you think it is appropriate to give your credit card or other personal information? Who do you think genuinely needs you to give them this information?

2.    If you needed to call your bank or other financial institution, what account information do you think you would need to give them during your call?

Reference:

Sassi, H. (2014). Be on the Lookout for These Common Telephone Scams. Better Business Bureau: Consumer News and Opinion blog. Retrieved November 3, 2014, from http://www.bbb.org/blog/2014/02/be-on-the-lookout-for-these-common-telephone-scams/.