How to Stop Unethical Behavior & Phishing on the Internet

Seniors can be particularly vulnerable to phishers.

Because all Internet users can be anonymous if they choose to be, many of us engage in rude or even unethical behavior when online because we know we'll never be caught.



One particularly unethical practice is "phishing," which is to pretend to be a user's bank or other financial organization in order to obtain the user's personal information and access his or her funds; identity theft is often the goal, as well. Although it's almost impossible to prevent or stop phishing, you can take steps to protect yourself from these fraudulent requests for your information.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Spam filter
• Telephone

Instructions

1. Follow the Golden Rule. If you want to stop unethical behavior on the Internet, don't engage in or perpetuate it. Don't forward or post compromising pictures of friends and acquaintances. Don't attack people on forums or in chat rooms. Don't spread vicious rumors. Kids have committed suicide after supposed "friends" did these things to them via the Internet. If you wouldn't want someone doing it to you, don't do it to them.

2. Set up a spam filter on your email. Spam is basically email that your computer determines has been sent in bulk or is otherwise suspicious. A spam filter automatically catches that email when it comes in and stores it in a separate folder from your Inbox. Most phishing emails will end up in your spam filter, but not all.

3. Call your financial or credit card institution. Most credit card companies and banks tell you up front that they will never ask you for sensitive information---account number, social security number, date of birth, etc.---via email. If you have any questions about an email you receive that says it's from your bank or credit card company, call the bank using the number in the phone book or your credit card company using the number on the back of your card. A phone number included in the email will likely be answered by someone who is part of the scam.

4. Report the email. Forward the phishing/suspicious email to the Federal Trade Commission at [e-mail]. Also, forward the email to the "report abuse" email address at your company, such as Paypal or eBay. File a complaint with the FBI Internet Fraud Complaint Center at www.ifccfbi.gov. Make sure the original sender's email address and full header of the email is included in your forwarded email.

References

• Anti-Phishing.info: Basic Phishing briefing & steps to avoid being phished