Get All Access for $5/mo

Cyber Crooks Go Phishing Phishing scams are back and more prevalent than ever. Find out how to avoid becoming a victim of a cyber scam.

By Kristin Edelhauser

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Large websites like PayPal, eBay and Amazon have all been targeted by phishing scam e-mails in the past, but experts say these days, online consumers are seeing even more "phishy" e-mails in their in-box.

So what exactly is phishing? Phishing is the term used when online crooks pretend to be financial institutions or legitimate companies and send spam or pop-up messages to try to get you to reveal your personal information.

One popular phishing e-mail that consumers should be wary of: e-mails urging them to enter personal information quickly so their order will arrive in time for special occasions and holidays. "Every year, especially during holidays, we've seen [this type of e-mail] ramp up bigger and bigger," says Christopher Faulkner, CEO of CI Host, a Dallas-based web hosting and website management company.

Despite public education about these types of e-mail scams, online crooks aren't giving up just yet. "As folks get savvier to what cyber crooks are looking for, cyber crooks have to get their game better. They've not stopping and giving up--they're just getting trickier and trickier," Faulkner says. "Every year we see websites go up that appear to be just like eBay or Amazon--they've got the logos, they've got the look and feel--but they're just a little bit different." The "o" in Amazon, for instance, might be a "0" in the fake version of the site used by a phisher.

If you do receive an e-mail similar to this but aren't sure if it's legit, put a call in to the customer service number provided on the official website of the company you ordered from to ask them about the e-mail. They'll let you know if they really need more information or if the e-mail is a scam.

Fake invitation e-mails are also common online scams, so be careful that you know the sender before replying to the e-mail. Also, be cautious with the amount of information you divulge on an invitation website. For instance, if the online invite is for your child's birthday party, be careful not to insert any information about the child's school, age or home address that online predators could latch onto. "We're seeing a lot of invitations for children's parties where parents are inviting all the child's friends, and they're listing the ages of the children," says Faulkner. "Cyber predators can use this stuff to help target kids."

Faulkner says the best way to avoid falling victim to phishing is not to rush. If you're in a panic to get your shopping done quickly, be it for a special occasion like a birthday or Christmas, you're more likely to slip up and fall victim to an e-mail scam. "It could easily happen to you," says Faulkner, "so be very alert out there and be cautious. If it's too good to be true, it is, so pass on it and move on to the next deal."

As Entrepreneur.com's staff writer, Kristin Edelhauser writer features, blogs and other pieces for the site. She previously worked as a writer and researcher for the NBC San Diego affiliate.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Marketing

5 SEO Hacks to Help You Rank Fast

Discover the best SEO hacks you can use to rank fast and avoid waiting for months to see results.

Starting a Business

Inside the Exclusive Private Club Devoted to Food, Wine and the Arts

Barrett Wissman breaks down the passions and partnerships behind his latest venture Domus Artium Reserve.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Collaboration

Watch Out for These 5 Consequences of Too Much Collaboration

Beware of the collaboration trap! Too much collaboration causes overload, and well-intentioned efforts to have broad collaboration can backfire.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.