Internet and Email Scams

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Definitions

“Phishing: Authentic looking emails text messages, and Web pages to trick an unsuspecting user into revealing their personal financial information.” “Email Spoofing: Email address disguised to look like that of someone you know.”

Protect yourself from email and internet scams

Do not open suspicious messages from unknown sources Do not respond to messages asking to confirm your personal information, such as credit card or bank account numbers or your Social Security number Email is not secure. Do not send financial information through If you receive a surprise email from someone you know asking for money, call them to confirm they sent you the message Scammers may call claiming to be a computer. They say they have detected a virus on your computer and need to access your computer to keep you safe. If this happens, hang-up. The call is a scam. Legitimate tech support will not contact you out of the blue. If you suspect you have been scammed, change your password right Only give personal information on an encrypted website. A site is secure if the web address starts with “https”

Reporting

According to the FTC, “If you got a phishing email, forward it to the Anti- Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org. If you got a phishing text message, forward it to SPAM (7726).” File a complaint at https://ftc.gov/complaint or the FBI’s Crime Complaint Center https://ic3.gov

The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, a 501 (c) 3 organization, is established to strengthen communities in our region through leadership and philanthropy. The information provided on this page does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this page are for general informational purposes only.

^{Rev.  November 2021}