Phishing Scams

From Wikipedia: "In the field of computer security, phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication."

I have several e-mail addresses. On some of my secondary addresses, I have noticed many phishing e-mails lately, all coming from official-looking sources. Here is one I just received.

"

Note: This is a service message regarding the Chase Customer Form.

Dear customer:

As part of the new security measures, all Chase bank customers are required to complete Chase Customer Form. Please complete the form as soon as possible.

To access the form please click on the following link:

http://chaseonline.chase.com/Secure/webform/OSL.aspx?LOB=74385758623540230413587126410155575977791645359240724660115190950314616300

Thank you for being a valued customer.

Sincerely,

Chase Customer Service"

Banks will NEVER ask you to complete such a form. They will never ask you for your password. DON'T FALL FOR THESE SCHEMES!

In my case, when I click on the link as requested to do, I get this screen:

"Reported Web Forgery!

This web site at chaseonline.chase.com.cyumiv.com has been reported as a web forgery and has been blocked based on your security preferences.

Web forgeries are designed to trick you into revealing personal or financial information by imitating sources you may trust.

Entering any information on this web page may result in identity theft or other fraud."

I am not sure where this level of protection comes from, but I don't really care. I would never click on such a link anyway, but did so for illustrative purposes here.

JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT PARANOID DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY ARE NOT OUT TO GET YOU!!

Be careful.