DEFINITION: In a phishing attack, a fraudster spams the Internet with email claiming to be from a reputable financial institution or e-commerce site. The email message urges the recipient to click on a link to update their personal profile or carry out some transaction. The link takes the victim to a fake website designed to look like the real thing. However, any personal or financial information entered is routed directly to the scammer. What you need to always know, just because it looks good, smells good, don 't click on a link that ask for your financial information, unless you are absolutely sure of the source. To be sure either way, call the person who supposedly sent it, or go directly to the site, and sign on securely via your browser, NOT by clicking on a link in an email. One thing to remember, is they are randomly send out these notices in hopes of fooling someone, it may seem personally directly email. They may even have stolen all the correct graphics and may have legitmate links in the email. If you are not sure, just ask!!
Additional reading at http://www.antiphishing.org
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/phishingalrt.htm
