I got this e-mail from my ISP but I think everyone can benefit. THough you may not have a Spam blocker and such, most free e-mail websites provide one now.
Dear EarthLink Subscriber,
Identity theft is an unfortunate part of today's Internet, and
fraudulent emails designed to steal your personal information
are increasingly common.
These emails are often disguised as official messages from
companies with which you do business, and ask you to submit
sensitive personal information -- by email, fax, or a fake
Web site -- with the intent to steal your identity. This type
of scam is known as "phishing."
These "phisher" emails and Web sites often mimic the logos,
colors, and language used by legitimate companies and can be
very convincing.
You may have already received a message from EarthLink
alerting you to these scams. Unfortunately, these crimes are
STILL common -- and require your vigilance.
************************************
PROTECTING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
************************************
Here are some important ways you can avoid online scams:
1. ELIMINATE virtually all junk email, including "phishers,"
with EarthLink's exclusive spamBlocker:
http://www.earthlink.net/spamblocker
2. NEVER send sensitive information such as your password,
credit card number, social security number, secret word,
or PIN in an email.
3. NEVER click directly on links in an email that requests
sensitive information, even if you recognize and trust the
address. Always type the Web address directly into your
browser's address bar.
4. ALWAYS confirm that a Web site is legitimate before
submitting sensitive information.
5. LEARN MORE about how to identify, avoid, and report online
scams at:
http://www.earthlink.net/fraud
