Phishing Emails
?Spoofs' are also called 'phishing' emails. 'Phishing' refers to any email that attempts to get you to share personal or financial information that can be used to commit fraud.
While 'spoofs' pretend to be a known business or institution, 'phishing' emails also include offers to collect prizes, requests for help, charity donations or false notices that you have won a lottery or a trip. They tell you that to reserve your prize you must give them a credit card number for verification or as a deposit.
Some emails request your help by offering you a portion of a fund that will be deposited into your bank account. These are often sent as requests from rich foreign (particularly Nigerian) nobility or government officials. They are dangerous groups and should never be contacted or replied to.
Similar scams are also done over the telephone and are called 'pretexting'. Always contact the organization or business directly if you are contacted for charitable donations or account information.
