And the latest schemes going around are even trickier than most. Even the savviest shoppers could fall for them. Keep reading to find out what to look for and how to protect your bank account.
Here’s the backstory
To lure victims there, scammers send a phishing email claiming that an order has successfully been placed. If you don’t recall placing the order, the thieves hope that you will click on the link to question it. Naturally, the scammer is waiting on the other end of the call. Sounding helpful in getting the order canceled, the scammer will ask for the victim’s credit card number or personal details to “verify the identity of the account.” The criminals claim that they’ll need a credit card number and CVV number to cancel the order. That would be a huge mistake, as once you hand over your details, the scammers will have everything they need to rip you off. Here’s an example of the phishing email from Avanan:
How to stay safe from phishing attacks
Phishing emails are more sophisticated than ever. That’s why you need to follow safety precautions with every message you receive. Here are some steps to take: