| Do you know what "phishing" is? No, it doesn't mean | | | | Listen to me: DON'T TOUCH THAT BUTTON! Of |
| you grab a phishin’ pole | | | | course the email was NOT sent by an eBay member |
| and head to the nearest | | | | or sent via eBay's messaging system, as it appears. |
| phishin’ hole to catch | | | | Doing so will take you to a website designed to look |
| some phish. | | | | like eBay where you will be prompted to login using |
| Phishing has a much more sinister connotation. The | | | | your eBay user name and password. |
| official Webopedia definition of "phishing" is as follows: | | | | Once you pass this point you will be asked to update |
| The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming | | | | your account information before proceeding. |
| to be an established legitimate enterprise in an | | | | Unknowing souls will offer not only their eBay |
| attempt to scam the user into surrendering private | | | | password, but personal and credit card information, |
| information that will be used for identity theft. The | | | | as well, without even knowing that they are about |
| e-mail directs the user to visit a Web site where | | | | to have their identity stolen. |
| they are asked to update personal information, such | | | | The one thing that makes this scam so effective is |
| as passwords and credit card, social security, and | | | | the threat by the supposed eBay member to "report |
| bank account numbers, that the legitimate | | | | you to eBay." |
| organization already has. The Web site, however, is | | | | The email preys on the fear of most eBay members |
| bogus and set up only to steal the | | | | that they are in danger of receiving negative |
| user’s information. | | | | feedback. Many eBayers would rather have you cut |
| Phishers are also on the prowl for your business | | | | off a pinky than leave them negative feedback. It is |
| information. Your business credit card number, for | | | | this emotion that the new phishers are hoping to |
| instance, is like gold to a phisher. Same for your bank | | | | hook and I expect it is working well. |
| account number, lines of credit information, financial | | | | The phisher is betting that most people will either be |
| data, purchase order numbers, etc. | | | | horrified by the threat of being wrongly reported to |
| Phishers prey on ignorance, fear, and emotion. They | | | | eBay or they will be ticked off that some jerk is |
| also play the numbers game. The more bait they | | | | threatening them by mistake. Either way the phisher |
| email out, the more phish they'll catch. By spamming | | | | is counting on a percentage of people to have a |
| large numbers of people, the "phisher" counts on his | | | | knee-jerk reaction and login to the |
| email being read and believed by a percentage of | | | | phisher’s fake eBay |
| people who will volunteer their personal and credit | | | | website to clear matters up. |
| card information. | | | | I've never seen statistics on the percentage of |
| One group that is constantly baited by phishers is the | | | | people who take the bait after receiving phishing |
| eBay community, i.e. the tens of millions of people | | | | emails, but if a phisher gets a mere 1% of recipients |
| worldwide with eBay accounts. | | | | to turn over their personal information, he will |
| There’s not a day that | | | | consider his phishing expedition a success. |
| goes by that I don’t | | | | I've warned you about these phishing scams before, |
| receive an email supposedly from eBay asking me to | | | | but let's review it one more time. |
| update my account information. I know better than | | | | NEVER reply directly to an email that appears to |
| to fall for this scam, but I have to admit, the latest | | | | have come from eBay, Paypal, Amazon, or anyone |
| scam email is pretty convincing. Even this old | | | | else asking you to click a link in the email to update |
| Powerseller did a double-take before realizing that the | | | | your account information. If there is any doubt in |
| phishers were at it again. | | | | your mind whether or not the email is really from |
| The sender of this email is listed as: eBay Member | | | | eBay, for example, open a browser and type in the |
| and the email subject line reads: Question from eBay | | | | URL NEVER click a link within the email to respond. |
| Member. The email begins: "Question from eBay | | | | NEVER believe that an email supposedly from |
| Member -- Respond Now. eBay sent this message on | | | | another eBay member is for real. Again, do not click |
| behalf of an eBay member via My Messages. | | | | an email link to reply. Open a browser and go to |
| Responses sent using email will not reach the eBay | | | | eBay directly and log in. If the email was from a real |
| member. Use the Respond Now button below to | | | | member, there will be a record of the inquiry in your |
| respond to this message." | | | | My eBay account. |
| The email then takes on a threatening tone. It reads: | | | | You must be aware that there are bad guys out |
| "Question from rivernick: I'm still waiting payment for | | | | there who do nothing but spend time trying to come |
| my item for about 7 days. What happened? Please | | | | up with new and innovative ways to steal your |
| mail me ASAP or I will report you to eBay." | | | | personal and business information. |
| The recipient is then prompted to respond to this | | | | Be paranoid. Be aware. But don't be fooled. |
| rather disturbing email by clicking a "Respond Now." | | | | The phishers will cast their line, but you do not have |
| button. | | | | to take the bait. |