|
(NaturalNews) Phishing has quickly grown into one of the most frequent and effective scams on the internet. It works by directing users toward fake websites that trick them into giving up personal information. As this deception has become better known, con artists are moving to a new trick: emails that coax people into calling fraudulent phone numbers.
"The normal way of spoofing is becoming less successful, and fraudsters are always having to look for new ways to do it," said Sara Bettencourt, spokeswoman for the e-commerce site PayPal.
"Voice phishing" con artists are sending emails, masquerading as communications from PayPal or Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, which instructs users to call a phone number that has a computerized voice ask for an account number. Bettencourt says PayPal would never verify an account with that information, and instead asks for phone numbers, email addresses and sometimes a credit card's last four digits.
"When you introduce a second element of communication -- that being the telephone -- it makes it appear to be a more credible effort to confirm or verify information," said Ron O'Brien, senior security analyst at internet security company Sophos, which announced the PayPal-targeted scheme Friday.
Experts recommend customers protect themselves from phishing scams by entering web site addresses into their browser (rather than clicking on provided links) and only calling numbers listed in the phone book or on bank-provided credit cards or statements.
###
Related Articles
• Put an end to spam and phishing by reforming email
 |
Additional Resources:
phishing
voice phishing
cyber crime
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
 Email this article to a friend
 Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/019603.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
 Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
 Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
Printable Version
