The Internet connects us to billions of nameless, faceless strangers, and it’s not surprising that some people use this anonymity to perpetuate scams. One of the most common Internet scams is called “phishing,” and it occurs when scammers create a webpage that’s nearly identical to a site for a well-known bank, email-service, or credit card. The scammers will then send out a mass e-mail to automatically generated addresses, asking recipients to go to the fake website (usually provided in a link) and provide personal login information, which could sometimes include data like names, passwords, and social security numbers. Armed with this information, the scammers can do all kinds of dishonest deeds, including access someone else’s bank account and take their funds.
However, there are many ways for you to detect and avoid phishing scams. Here are some of the best ways to avoid phishing at you apartment in Lady Lake:
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Check the web address – Phishing sites often mimic the web addresses of the companies they are trying to imitate. For example, while the legitimate site is “bankofamerica.com,” a scammer’s site may be “bankamerica.com” or “bank.of.america.com” or “bankofamerica.net.” Always check links and website URLs before clicking and before entering any personal information.
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Look for inconsistent grammar and spelling – Phishers often target websites that are outside of their home country and are not written in their native language. As a result, there may be spelling and grammar mistakes on a phisher’s site, something that would be highly unusual for legitimate, professional websites. Keep an eye out for sloppy writing, typos, and other errors.
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Look at images carefully – Many corporations protect their proprietary images with copyrights and hire legal teams to vigorously defend those images, so illegitimate sites may try to imitate or alter those images just enough so that they can be used without the threat of a lawsuit. Look for small (or sometimes glaring) differences in company logos and fonts as compared to the images that you are most often accustomed to. If there is a discrepancy, the odds are good that the site is disreputable.
If you ever do come across an email that asks for your personal information, don’t click on it. Even if you never enter any personal information, phishing websites tend to be hotbeds for malware and other computer viruses, so even if you have an excellent anti-virus program, it’s best to steer clear.
To learn more about The Quarters Apartment Homes and our many excellent amenities like basketball courts and a business center open to all of our residents, contact our leasing office today.
