The term 'Phishing' (pronounced 'fishing') is a slang IT word, made up by replacing the letter 'f' with 'ph.' Phishing, is exactly that, fishing for information - usually personal information such as credit card, bank account or social security numbers.
Scammers 'Phish' for your personal information in a variety of ways, but most commonly through fraudulent emails claiming to be from your bank or another institution that already has your personal details, asking you to confirm these details.
Once scammers have 'phished' out your information, they could use it in a number of ways. Your credit card could be used for unauthorized purchases, or your bank account could be cleared out, or they may simply gather the information for an identity theft scam, or sell your information to identity theft rings.
Phishing emails are commonly used in association with a fake web site that looks very similar to a real website from the relevant institution.
Scammers 'Phish' for your personal information in a variety of ways, but most commonly through fraudulent emails claiming to be from your bank or another institution that already has your personal details, asking you to confirm these details.
Once scammers have 'phished' out your information, they could use it in a number of ways. Your credit card could be used for unauthorized purchases, or your bank account could be cleared out, or they may simply gather the information for an identity theft scam, or sell your information to identity theft rings.
Phishing emails are commonly used in association with a fake web site that looks very similar to a real website from the relevant institution.
