Beware Of Phishing

I got an email, supposedly from my bank, it scared me, because if I don't verify information, it could derail my account for awhile. So, instead of clicking on the links, I called the bank. The reason I called the bank, the software I have tells me if they think this is a phishing scam or not, and it said it could possibly be. Anyway, I was directed to forward this and no they didn't need to verify my information, I'm relieved. Here are some tips they gave me in an email response, I thought I would share. Beware of these types of phishing scams...

The main goal of a phishing email is to get you to a site where you will provide your personal information. With these basic, but powerful, clues, you can easily recognize the threat and ensure the safety of your identity and finances. 1. Does the email ask you to go to a website and verify personal information? We won't ask you to verify your personal information in response to an email.2. What is the tone of the mail? Most phish emails convey a sense of urgency by threatening discontinued service or information loss if you don't take immediate action.3. What is the quality of the email? Many phish emails have misspellings, bad grammar, or poor punctuation.4. Are the links in the email valid? Deceptive links in phishing emails look like they are to a valid site, but deliver you to a fraudulent one. Many times you can see if the link is legitimate by just moving your mouse over the link.5. Is the email personalized with your name and applicable account information? Many phish emails use generic salutations and generic information (e.g. "Dear Customer" or "Dear Account Holder") instead of your name.6. What is the sender's email address? Many phish emails come from an email address not from the company represented in the email. 7. When in doubt, type it out. If you suspect an email to be phishing, don't click on any links in the email. Type the valid address directly into your web browser. For more information, and to enhance your anti-phishing arsenal with our free Bank of America Toolbar, please visit our Privacy & Security website at www.bankofamerica.com/privacy.