The deadly hook
Let’s begin by understanding what phishing is?
Phishing is a general term for e-mails, text messages, websites that are fabricated in order to steal your identity and use it for fraudulent activities. These communications are designed to look like they come from well-known trusted businesses like financial institutions, government agencies and for travel management company in an attempt to collect personal, financial and sensitive information.
How to identify a phishing scam?
The content of a phishing e-mail or text message is intended to trigger a quick reaction from you. It can use upsetting or exciting information, demand an urgent response or employ a false pretense or statement. Phishing messages are normally not personalized.
Typically, phishing messages will ask you to "update", "validate", or "confirm" your account information or face dire consequences. They might even ask you to make a phone call.
Below are few catch phrases used to trigger instant action:
- E-mail Money Transfer Alert: Please verify your travel purchase information below…
- Dear Account Holder, Access to your online booking platform Is currently unavailable…
- We regret to inform you that we had to lock your account access. Call (telephone number) to restore your account.
What information are these phishing emails looking for?
Passport number, visa information, full name, travel dates, date of birth, full address, mother's maiden name, username and password of online services, driver's license number, personal identification numbers (PIN), credit card information (numbers, expiry dates and the last three digits printed on the signature panel) and bank account numbers.
What could this information be used for?
Phishing criminals can access your company’s (or yours) financial accounts, open new bank accounts, transfer bank balances, apply for loans, credit cards and other goods/services, make purchases, access your personal email account, hide criminal activities, receive government benefits or obtain a false passport.
Some helpful advice for travelers
UNIGLOBE has created a secure online booking tool called ‘Complete Access Online’ that not only gives you functionality to research & book your travel, but also provides you with individual logins where your confidential details are stored safely on a secure server. Effective now, you can add your passport, visa and credit card details to your profile on Complete Access Online. By doing this you can rest assured that your details are safe and you don't have to resend them again. It’s also a great way to ensure we always have your most current details such as mobile number, email and travel preferences – the more we know the better we can support you when you travel!
The Bottom line
- Add your payment transaction details to UNIGLOBE Complete Access Online – call us if you need help and we’ll be happy to walk you through it.
- Be suspicious of any e-mail or text message containing urgent requests for personal or financial information.
- If you’re concerned that an email requesting sensitive information might be fraudulent, contact the sender to confirm that it has come from them. Check the contact number in your files against the one mentioned in the email before you call…else you may be calling the scammer!
- Get in the habit of looking at a website's address line and verify if it displays something different from the address mentioned in the email.
- Regularly update your computer protection with anti-virus software, spyware filters, e-mail filters and firewall programs.
- Regularly check your bank, credit and debit card statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate.
by Soumya Prakash on 12/03/2014 in Business