How to Identify and Avoid Phishing Scams

Phishing is a type of cybercrime in which an attacker sends an email or text message that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or credit card company. The email or text message will often contain a link that, when clicked, will take the victim to a fake website that looks like the real website. Once the victim enters their personal information on the fake website, the attacker can steal it.

Here are some of the signs that an email or text message may be a phishing scam:

• The email or text message is from an unfamiliar sender.
• The email or text message contains a generic greeting, such as "Dear Customer."
• The email or text message contains a link or attachment.
• The email or text message asks you to provide personal information, such as your password, credit card number, or Social Security number.
• The email or text message contains grammatical errors or typos.
• The email or text message has a sense of urgency, such as warning you that your account will be suspended if you don't take action immediately.

If you receive an email or text message that you think may be a phishing scam, do not click on any links or open any attachments. Instead, forward the email or text message to the company it claims to be from, and then delete it. You can also report phishing scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint.

Here are some recent phishing scams that have been reported in Indian news:

• In January 2023, a phishing scam targeting Indian Airtel customers was reported. The scam email claimed to be from Airtel and asked customers to click on a link to update their account information. The link led to a fake Airtel website that was designed to steal customers' personal information.
• In February 2023, a phishing scam targeting Indian SBI bank customers was reported. The scam email claimed to be from SBI and asked customers to click on a link to verify their account information. The link led to a fake SBI website that was designed to steal customers' personal information.
• In March 2023, a phishing scam targeting Indian Paytm wallet users was reported. The scam email claimed to be from Paytm and asked users to click on a link to verify their account information. The link led to a fake Paytm website that was designed to steal users' personal information.

These are just a few examples of phishing scams that have been reported in India. It is important to be aware of these scams and to take steps to protect yourself from them. By following the tips above, you can help to keep your personal information safe from cybercriminals.

Here are some additional tips to help you stay safe from phishing scams:

• Keep your software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect you from phishing scams.
• Use a strong password manager. A password manager can help you to create and store strong passwords for all of your online accounts.
• Be suspicious of any email or text message that asks you to provide personal information. If you are not sure whether an email or text message is legitimate, do not click on any links or open any attachments. Instead, contact the company it claims to be from directly.
• Educate yourself about phishing scams. The more you know about phishing scams, the better equipped you will be to spot them and avoid them.

By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from phishing scams and keep your personal information safe.