Phishing scams are a type of online scam that targets consumers by sending them emails or text messages that appear to be from a well-known source, such as a bank, government agency, or other trusted organization. The goal of these scams is to trick you into revealing personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers.

How to recognize a phishing scam

There are a few common signs that an email or text message may be a phishing scam:

• The sender's email address or phone number does not match the legitimate organization it is claiming to be from.

• The message contains grammatical errors or typos.

• The message creates a sense of urgency or pressure, such as by claiming that your account is about to be suspended or that you need to act quickly to avoid a penalty.

• The message asks for personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers.

• The message contains a link to a fake website that looks like the website of the legitimate organization it is claiming to be from.

How to avoid a phishing scam

There are a few things you can do to avoid falling victim to a phishing scam:

• Never click on links in emails or text messages from unknown senders.

• If you are unsure whether an email or text message is legitimate, contact the organization directly using a phone number or email address that you know is real.

• Never enter personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers, on a website that you are not sure is legitimate.

• Keep your computer and mobile devices up to date with the latest security software.

• Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible.

What to do if you think you have been scammed

If you think you have been the victim of a phishing scam, it is important to take steps to protect yourself from further harm.

• Change the passwords to all of your online accounts, especially your bank accounts and credit card accounts.

• Monitor your credit reports for any unauthorized activity.

• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.