Submitted by Chas. Ames.
I have received half-a-dozen email phishing attempts in the last week, and I am a hawk about email security. Warnings claim to come from Amazon, PayPal, Chase Bank, et cetera, that announce your ‘account is locked!’ or other sensational alarms.
Then you notice that the return address is completely unintelligible and definitely not from the source it claims to be.
At a minimum, this can cause a loved one to run circles on a wild goose chase. But a crafty scammer could clean out your account and co-opt your identity.
First, how can you protect your identity:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2022/02/identity-theft-can-happen-anyone
Secondly, what if you could safely fight phishing scammers? If you receive a suspicious email, you can forward it to a phishing investigation entity like these:
- stop-spoofing@amazon.com
- spoof@paypal.com
- phishing@visa.com
- spoof@americanexpress.com
- abuse@chase.com
- abuse@comcast.net
- or do a search for ‘(company) phishing report’
Got spam (on your phone)? Forward it to SPAM (7726).
Lock them up!
Mr. Ames,
Thank you for the information you provided to help fight scammers.
I am printing a copy of your article which I will store within my lunge and grasp to be ready as the need arrises.
Joseph Boyle – Former Lakewood Resident 51 Years
Thanks for the reminder. Unfortunately, some people will fall prey to these.
Then you notice that the return address is completely unintelligible and definitely not from the source it claims to be.
Good clue. Always look at the sending e-mail address.
Appreciate the title you chose for this article!