Thursday, January 12, 2012

Phishing Scams: Setting the Hook on Facebook!


Phishing is one of the most common types of scams. Scammers phish so they can gain access to one's security information, money, or even to find personal information like a street address. Phishing can be attempted in multiple shapes and forms, which is why it can be so hard to avoid it. The scammer can pretend to be somone else, such as an old friend, a loved one, or sometimes a random person and acquire information from the person being scammed. Another method would be for the scammer to send someone an email saying either they've won a lot of money, or offer a deal that's too good to pass up. When the computer user enters in their credit card number or other personal information, the scammer can then use this information for themselves.

Because of the several phishing attacks that have occurred over the years, laws concerning it have been made in the past few years. Congress signed a law, called the Anti-Phishing Act of 2004, which made it illegal to host fraud websites, or to scam others in any other way by phishing. If a person is convicted of phishing, he can be fined up to $250,000 on top of being sent to prison for up to five years. In my opinion, however, only $250,000 should not be sufficient. Especially when one's identity is taken from a phishing scam and how long it takes them to clear up all of the fraudulence.


A Fisher can be caught by Federal agencies that track fraudelent or by being reported by a victim or somone who has caught them. The FTC or Federal Trade Commission, is a main component of stopping the phishers, as well as many other internet fraudulents and scams. Phishing is a serious internet scam, and can be punished very harshly.



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2 comments:

  1. RebeccaJanuary 17, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    That was very interesting! But how do we avoid phishers?

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  2. Caroline C.January 17, 2012 at 11:04 AM

    I had no idea that there were so many ways that someone could Phish you. I like how you included that it isn't right for the people that are phished aren't really compensated for all of their troubles. Good info!

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