How Identity Theft Works

HOW IDENTITY THEFT WORKS

Mass email

Phishing email

Spoof website

  1. A criminal sends thousands of emails at random. These emails appear to come from a well-known company.

  2. The email will typically urge you to click on a link to update some information. The link takes you to a fraudulent website that mimics a real company website.

  3. On the fraudulent website, you’ll be asked to provide sensitive information. Phishing attempts trick you into thinking that you’re providing information to a trusted company when, in fact, you’re giving it to a criminal.

HOW TO SPOT A FAKE WEBSITE

Whenever you are on a secure website, it should start with “https”. Sometimes even if a website address contains the word “PayPal,” it may not be an authentic PayPal website.

Fake websites pose as a legitimate website in order to make you provide important information with fake log-in forms or threats that your accounts will be terminated if you do not comply.