Don't Let the "Feds" Fool You

In the online phenomenon known as phishing, scammers impersonate legitimate businesses or organizations in order to get credit card or other sensitive information from unsuspecting users.

The latest phishing scam involves emails purportedly sent from federal agencies such as the FTC or the IRS, according to a recent article from the Associated Press.

If you receive what looks like an email from a government agency, the FTC advises, take caution. "We are the agency that brought you the Do Not Call Registry and CAN-SPAM. We're not likely to send out unsolicited emails."

Phishing is becoming increasingly popular, reports AP: Since May of 2006, the number of phishing sites on the Web has tripled to nearly 37,500, and consumers having lost an estimated $630 million to phishing over the last two years.

What can you do to ensure your organization isn't the victim of such a scam? Even if your browser flags suspicious sites for you, be wary of any email or site that asks you to supply financial or other sensitive information, no matter how legitimate it looks. Moreover, make sure that everyone at your organization — including volunteers — is aware of the risks associated with phishing and takes the same precautions.

What kind of precautions have you taken to educate your colleagues about phishing scams? Share them with others in our community forums.