Be On The Lookout For This New Phishing Scam

The Internet has definitely made paying bills, viewing bank accounts, etc., more convenient for many consumers. But it’s also enabled cybercriminals more of an opportunity to gain access to your sensitive information as one local resident discovered. Ron Pearson was targeted in a recent phishing attempt and discussed the incident with Phoenix news. While reading through his emails, he noticed a rather peculiar message from Chase Bank.

“It said I need to reactivate my account and that I have to click on this link,” he explained. Although the email appeared authentic-looking, Pearson was privy to the scam because he doesn’t even have a Chase card or account. But legitimate Chase Bank customers might not be so lucky, and run the risk of having their bank accounts wiped out if they click on the link. 

Ken Colburn, a tech expert with Data Doctors, said the number of people that fall for these scams is staggering. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or a tech wizard to sniff out obvious phishing emails,” he said. He urges people to remain vigilant regarding emails that tell you to click on a link. “So, my advice is to treat email as guilty until proven innocent,” he said. “Be suspicious about every single thing that comes in. And, until you can prove it’s legit, then it’s guilty.” 


Another warning sign that often appears in phishing emails is bad grammar. If it appears that English is not the sender’s first language, then you should proceed with caution. Then, examine the sender’s email address to confirm that it’s legit. Consumers should be reminded that phishing scams aren’t limited to banking institutions. Some other attempts in recent years have included video streaming services, like Netflix, and even major government agencies like the IRS.