Westport Police Warn Locals about Phishing Emails

Westport-news.com reported on 28th August, 2014 stating that Westport Police are warning residents of Westport to be cautious of a scam email purporting to be from the Westport Town, Connecticut, New York City, US designed to steal credit-card data.

Westport Police came to know about the case on 28th August, 2014 when a resident called them to inquire about an email apparently sent from the town asking the resident to update his credit -card information for making online payments to the town.

Westport-news.com reported on 28th August, 2014 that officials confirmed after checking that the email was not sent by any division of government of the town and seemed to be an attempt to obtain credit-card information from recipients which is a practice commonly known as "phishing".

Police are trying to find the origins of the email.

In the meantime, officials remind residents that the town follows the policy of never sending any request in unsolicited emails for financial or personal information. Residents receiving such requests should contact the agency or business to find the authenticity of the requests before responding to the email.

Security experts comment that it is disturbing that due to such phishing email campaigns, phishing is rising across the world.

Experts highlight some tips and following recommendations. Firstly, delete email and text messages which ask you to confirm or update or provide personal information (credit card and bank account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, etc.), like above case. Genuine companies never ask such information through email or text.

Also never reply and click on links or call phone numbers given in the message. These messages take you to spoof sites which look real but whose purpose is to steal your information to enable a scammer to commit crimes on your behalf.

Finally forward such phishing emails to the company, bank or organization which were impersonated like Town of Westport in the above email. You may also report to reportphishing@antiphishing.org as the anti-phishing working group which is a group of security vendors, group of ISPs, law enforcement agencies and financial institutions uses these reports to fight phishing.

» SPAMfighter News - 9/6/2014