We've all gotten the emails that seem to be from a financial institution that we may or may not be associated with. While the novelty has worn off and more consumers are well aware of these scams, criminals are getting smarter and savvier by the day and so it's not always easy to spot potential scams. Here are some top tips that we suggest you follow to prevent yourself from getting caught out by a phishing attempt.

  1. Escalate any potential e-mails from banks you have accounts with by phone
    In the hundreds of potential spam emails you get, if you do get an e-mail from an institution that you have an account with, avoid clicking on the links. Especially if the e-mail suggests a problem of need for verification, you're best to call up a banker at the company directly: they will be able to tell you if the inquiry is legitimate, and, if so, can help you resolve the problem. Make sure the phone number you use is the one you know is genuine and a direct connection to the bank – safely ignore all numbers and information in the email itself.
  2. Never click on links in e-mail messages
    Even if a link seems benign, promising to take you to destination you want to go to, resist the temptation to click it. Instead, you can right-click and select "copy link location" to review the link and see where it will take you: if the link is legitimate, then you can just type it in directly and if it's not, then you can discard it. Be aware of similar but different URL string, such as substitutions of "zeros" for "Os". By avoiding direct links entirely, you'll make sure you're always on a real site.
  3. Make sure that you're on a real site if you are using a shopping coupon
    On-line retailers distribute coupons to a large number of sites and via e-mail. If you absolutely must take advantage of one of these offers, then you'll want to pay extra attention to the security of the checkout process. You can verify the security by looking for a  secure URL that starts with "https" as well as a SSL certificate (Secure Socket Layer) which ensures that you're on the right site. In fact, any time you use a credit card on-line, you should follow these steps.
  4. Keep your computer's anti-virus and security applications updated
    While there's no sure-fire way to protect yourself after-the-fact from potentially harmful downloads, you'll want to make sure you're well protected in case a malicious file falls through your radar. Although prevention is the best policy, having a solid firewall and anti-virus system will act as an insurance policy. To ensure you're protected, use the latest software packages and keep them updated on a regular basis (ideally, with automatic updating.)
  5. Disable pop-ups and clear your browser cookies
    A lot of times, phishing scams work by collecting data on your browsing activities, allowing them to target you with certain ads. This is a violation of privacy and can open potential further security loopholes. By clearing your cookies and setting your browser security settings high, you can ensure you don't fall victim to a spy ware scam.

This article is contributed by Maya Richard, who regularly writes on dial up internet. She invites your questions and feedback at her personal email address: mayarichard at gmail dot com.