You an spot a Phis-hing Scam typically when you are asked personal and obviously confidential information via email. Most banks do not ask for such information regarding your account, as they should already have it when you signed up. To be sure, call your bank or email/forward a copy of the email to your nearest branch representative. It takes all of five minutes and could prevent many people form getting scammed.
As a rule, NEVER give out personal information via the internet, unless you know it is a trusted source. Or, by phone for that matter. If it can't be handled in person somewhere, it probably isn't worth taking the chance (for the most part).
This is fraud and more specifically, identity theft. Many emails spam your inbox trying to pull this same scam.
A fake email represents the bait in a phishing scam. Potential victims are lured into the scam with an email that threatens a breach in security or some kind of reward for replying to the email and providing personal information.
Phishing scams can hook users through trustworthy looking e-mails. Another popular scam is a message from a user on eBay.
The hook of a phishing scam is where the scammers got the information on the people they scammed. This can include emails or phone calls that trick a person into giving out information.
Phishing
phishing
A phishing scam is when someone sends an legit looking email in the hope of tricking the user to providing personal information.
Phishing is a portmanteau of "phreaking and fishing". "Phreaking", another kind of scam, is in turn a portmanteau of "phone" and "freaking".
phishing
phishing
The "hook" in a phishing scheme is the bait that is used by scammers to get personal information. People fall for phishing scams because they usually come in the form of harmless looking emails.
The "hook" in a phishing scheme is the bait that is used by scammers to get personal information. People fall for phishing scams because they usually come in the form of harmless looking emails.