Phishing & Pharming

What are phishing and pharming and how can I avoid them?
Phishing and pharming have become the most troubling identity theft scams currently on the Internet.

  • Phishing - Pronounced "fishing" it occurs when thieves pretend to represent a reputable organization and try to "hook" you into providing personal information.

  • Pharming - Pronounced "farming" it occurs when you enter personal data into a fraudulent Web site.

How They Work

How to Avoid Them

Each scam tries to get you to provide personal information such as your Social Security number, financial account numbers, personal identification numbers (PINs) or mother's maiden name. Once you've entered this information, the thieves can do lasting damage to your financial accounts.