1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:07,000
You've probably seen it. You receive an email from your bank or trusted company and it's asking you for information.

2
00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:12,000
It looks real, but it's designed to fool you into handing over important information.

3
00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:16,000
This is a scam called phishing, and you need to avoid it.

4
00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:20,000
This is phishing scams in plain English.

5
00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:26,000
Most of us have gotten used to doing business online. We buy and sell things.

6
00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:29,000
We have accounts with sensitive information.

7
00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:35,000
The risk of doing business online is low as long as you deal directly with organizations you trust.

8
00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:39,000
Problems occur when criminals impersonate these organizations

9
00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:46,000
and fool you into handing over sensitive information like account numbers, passwords, and PIN numbers.

10
00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:50,000
The key to avoiding this scam is awareness.

11
00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:55,000
Here's one example. You receive an email that looks like a trustworthy message from a bank.

12
00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:59,000
It asks you to click a link to verify information.

13
00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:05,000
You assume it's legit, so you click the link and log in to what appears to be your bank's website.

14
00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:07,000
At this point, the scam is complete.

15
00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:12,000
You've handed over your bank password to the crooks who can use it to take your money.

16
00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:14,000
Boo!

17
00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:18,000
They were able to fool you by impersonating the bank's website.

18
00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:21,000
There are a few keys to detecting phishing emails.

19
00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:27,000
They often try to scare you by saying your account has been accessed or security has been compromised.

20
00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:32,000
They also insist that you click a link to verify information or fill out a form.

21
00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:36,000
Do not click links or fill out forms in suspicious emails.

22
00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:41,000
The email may also have misspellings and call you something like valued customer.

23
00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:43,000
The crooks don't know your name.

24
00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:50,000
Remember, phishing emails may use the exact same logos, phone numbers, and addresses that appear on your statements or bills.

25
00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:54,000
Always be suspicious of an email that asks for your information.

26
00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:56,000
No exceptions.

27
00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,000
If you receive a phishing email, stay calm.

28
00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:01,000
There's no risk to receiving it.

29
00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:02,000
Just delete it.

30
00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:13,000
You can also safely report it by forwarding it to reportphishing at antiphishing.org or spam at uce.gov.

31
00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:18,000
If an email does lead you to a suspicious website, remember to look at the web address.

32
00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:22,000
The address in your browser should look familiar.

33
00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:28,000
If you suspect that criminals have your information, immediately contact organizations where you have accounts.

34
00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:33,000
To protect yourself in the long run, you might also consider anti-phishing software.

35
00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:40,000
Further, check your online accounts and credit reports regularly and quickly report anything that is out of place.

36
00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,000
Phishing scams are a growing threat on the Internet.

37
00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:48,000
By being aware of the scam, you can feel confident in working with companies online.

38
00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:50,000
Yay!

39
00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:56,000
I'm Lela Fever, and this has been Phishing Scams in Plain English on the Common Craft Show.

40
00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:57,000
One more thing.

41
00:02:57,000 --> 00:03:04,000
You can download presentation-quality versions of our videos without ads like this in the Common Craft Store.