A phishing attack is when a fraudster tries to steal your personal information via calls, texts, or emails.
It’s common for phishing to involve a sense of urgency. This is a manipulative strategy employed by scammers to put pressure on you to take action, such as clicking on a link, so that you’ll hand over your sensitive information.
Read the rest of this article to explore phishing attacks in more detail. We’ll cover common types of phishing attacks, how to spot and prevent phishing attacks, how to deal with them, and how a lawyer can help you prevent and deal with fraud.
What are Common Phishing Attacks?
Some of the most commonly-seen phishing attacks include the following:
- Impersonating organizations. Scammers will pretend to be an organization you trust to lure you into providing your personal or banking details.
- Fake website logins. You’ll be directed to a website that is fake but closely resembles a legitimate one. When you log in, hackers will be able to steal your information.
- Malicious or suspicious links. The scammer will send you malicious links or email attachments.
- Fake QR codes. Known as quishing, this is when a scammer uses QR codes to direct victims to a fake website.
How Can You Spot a Phishing Attack?
To identify a phishing attack, there are red flags to keep an eye out for so you don’t fall victim to a scam.
- Check the “from” address on emails. Even if the subject and body of an email look authentic, the “from” address might not correspond with the company who is allegedly sending you the message.
- Search the message for pressure tactics. It’s typical for scammers to create a sense of urgency in their correspondence, or try to put pressure on you to take action. Both of these are red flags of a scam.
- Look at the spelling and grammar. Reputable businesses and financial organizations will have professionally-drafted emails without any errors.
- How are you addressed in the message? If the email or text is from a reputable company, they’ll usually address you by name. If there’s a generic name, such as “Sir/Madam,” that’s a red flag.
- Be aware of common claims. Scammers might tell you that they’ve noticed suspicious activity on your account, there’s a problem with your card, or you’re eligible for a freebie/coupon/refund.
How Can You Protect Yourself Against Phishing Attacks?
You can prevent many phishing attacks by being mindful and cautious of emails and texts you receive. Here are some tips.
Make use of Spam Filters
These are great at detecting spammers and blocking the messages so that they can’t harm your device.
Install Security Software
If your device has been compromised with malware, this software will remove it. Be sure to update the software on a regular basis so you have the latest protection.
Start Using Multi-Factor Authentication
This is an important way to secure your accounts. It creates a few more barriers for scammers wanting to access your sensitive information.
Never Click on Links
You should never click on links in texts or emails. If the message looks like it’s from a reputable company, it’s best to contact them to check its validity.
Be Careful With QR Codes
When using QR codes, check for red flags that they’re suspicious. This includes if they arrive on your device unsolicited or they are covering something else, such as a poster in real life, as this could have been placed there by a scammer.
How Can You Deal with Phishing Attacks?
If you think you’ve been a victim of a phishing attack, you should take quick action to protect your data and money.
Report Identity Theft
For cases where you think a scammer has stolen your social security, credit card, or bank account info, you should visit IdentityTheft.gov to report the fraud.
Report the Phishing Attack
Even if you’re not sure you’re dealing with a case of identity theft, you should report the phishing incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Run a Scan on Your Computer
You’ve clicked on a link in an email or opened an email attachment. Now what? You should run a security scan on your device that will identify and eliminate any problematic downloads.
Disconnect Your Device
If malware is involved in the phishing attack, you should disconnect your device from the internet. This prevents the malware from being sent throughout the network. It also stops the scammer from sending your sensitive personal information elsewhere.
Change Your Passwords
If you’ve received a link from a fake website, go to the authentic one where you have an account and change your password. If these passwords were used on other sites, you should also change those so that you protect yourself.
How Will a Lawyer Help You with a Phishing Attack?
Although you might not need to contact a lawyer for every phishing attack, especially if you take action to protect your devices and accounts, there are situations in which you should seek legal guidance.
These include the following:
- Your financial institution isn’t reversing the fraudulent transactions that occurred as a result of phishing.
- You’re dealing with a data breach that compromised your sensitive information.
- You’re a victim of identity theft.
- You’ve experienced significant financial losses you want to recover.
Hiring a lawyer can help you in various ways after a phishing attack:
- They’ll assess your exposure. Lawyers will explain your risks and explore the best way to navigate the fraud
- They’ll work with law enforcement organizations to trace the fraudsters.
- They’ll handle all disputes on your behalf, such as by sending financial institutions formal letters to reverse charges.
- If your fraud case involves a significant amount of money, your lawyer will help you pursue litigation.
Do you need a lawyer for a phishing attack?
If you’re the victim of a phishing attack, it can make you feel stressed out and worried about financial losses. You should contact a lawyer on ContractsCounsel, an online legal network connecting clients with lawyers. A professional, vetted lawyer on the platform has the legal expertise and skill to help you reduce your losses and protect your assets.