Would you Trade Your Identity for a Free Gift Card?

The latest method criminals are using to attempt to steal identities is a phishing survey that offers free gift cards in exchange for personal financial information. What is “phishing,” you may ask? Phishing attacks use 'spoofed' e-mails and fraudulent Web sites designed to fool recipients into divulging personal financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames and passwords, Social Security Numbers, etc.

This recent phishing scam has reportedly been successful by using the promise of gift cards or merchandise from major retailers to lure recipients into providing sensitive personal and financial information.

The phishing e-mail prompts individuals to fill out an online "survey" that asks for the name of their financial institution, passwords, e-mail addresses, and other personal account information. In exchange, at least one version of the scam promises a retail gift card valued up to $500. The victim will never receive the free gift card. The only thing the victim will get is a headache, because his/her identity will be stolen.

With millions of Americans buying gifts online during the holiday season and for everyday purchases, fraud experts are warning consumers to be wary of scams offering gift cards or merchandise in exchange for personal or financial information.

LOSS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS

• Do not access the link or attached files provided in the body of the e-mail.
• Do not provide any personal information to unknown sources.
• Before submitting financial information through a Web site, look for the "lock" icon on the browser's status bar.
• Always review your credit card and other account statements as soon as you receive them to determine whether there are any unauthorized transactions.
• If your account statements are late by more than a couple of days, call your financial institution or credit card company to confirm your billing address and account balances.
• Report suspicious activity to the FTC. Send the actual spam/phish e-mail/Web site to uce@ftc.gov.
• If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, file a complaint at www.ftc.gov, and visit the FTC's Identity Theft Web site ( www.ftc.gov/idtheft) to learn how to minimize your risk of damage from the identity theft.
• Place a "fraud alert" on your credit bureau records.