http://www.snopes.com/fraud/phishing/phishing.asp

Phishing

'Phishing' is a term that refers to the on-line imitation of a company's branding in spoofed e-mail messages and web sites, created with the intent of fooling unsuspecting users into divulging personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, PINs, etc. A typical "phish" e-mail will appear to come from a financial institution (such as a bank or credit card company), informing the recipient that some type of problem has affected his account and directing him to follow a provided hyperlink to clear up the problem. The hyperlink leads not to a legimate site, however, but to a server (usually in another country) on which an imitation web site has been set up. The fooled customer is then prompted to enter confidential personal information (collected by the scammers for perpetrating) identify theft and (usually) redirected to a legitimate web site to obscure the fact that he just gave away data to crooks.

  • Citibank
    E-mail claims your Citibank ATM/Debit card PIN must be updated due to "a large number of identity theft attempts."

  • eBay
    E-mail claims auction site eBay is sending out suspension notices via e-mail and asking customers to verify their account information.

    E-mail claims auction site eBay is sending out notices requesting that users update their account information.

  • Facebook
    Web site imitates Facebook sign-in page.

  • FDIC
    E-mail claims the FDIC insurance on your bank account has been cancelled by the Department of Homeland Security for violations of the Patriot Act.

  • IRS
    E-mail pretends to be the IRS sending out e-mails directing taxpayers to a web form to use to claim tax refunds or stimulus payments.

    E-mail pretends to be IRS notification indicating the recipient has unreported or underreported income.

    E-mail from the IRS offers $80 to recipients who complete "member satisfaction surveys."

  • Social Security Administration (SSA)
    E-mail claims the Social Security Administration is requiring benefits recipients to register for passwords and provide their banking information.

  • SunTrust Bank
    E-mail claims SunTrust Bank is asking customers to verify their account details due to "a large number of identity theft attempts."

  • U.S. Bank
    E-mail claims your account at U.S. Bank has been suspended.

    E-mail claims your account at U.S. Bank needs to be reactivated due to a technical update.

  • Wells Fargo
    E-mail claims Wells Fargo is sending out e-mails requesting personal information as part of their "regular update and verification of the Wells Fargo ATM Service."

  • United States District Court
    E-mail claims the United States District Court is sending out subpoenas via e-mail.


  • Various Courier Companies
    Scammers dupe victims into paying "security keeping fees" to receive courier parcels supposedly containing large checks.

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