(June 17, 2004) – The Better Business Bureau, Call For Action, the Federal Trade Commission and Visa USA  today announced a joint education campaign to help consumers ”cut the line on phishing scams.“
 
During the campaign, the Better Business Bureau system, Call For Action, the FTC and Visa will educate consumers on how to identify phishing scams; how to avoid becoming a victim; and how to report a suspicious e-mail.  Comprehensive phishing resources will be available on the Internet for consumers at www.bbb.org/phishing, www.callforaction.org, www.consumer.gov/idtheft and www.visa.com/phishing.
 
Phishing is an e-mail scam in which fraudsters attempt to convince consumers to reveal personal information – such as their credit or debit account numbers, checking account information, Social Security numbers, and banking account passwords – through official-looking fake Web sites or in a reply e-mail. 
 
“Only phonies phish for info,” said Ken Hunter, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.  Mr. Hunter, who spoke at the press conference to launch the campaign, advised consumers to protect themselves by following one simple rule: “When in doubt, delete.”
 
According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, phishing scams grew 178 percent from March to April of 2004.  Silicon Valley is not immune from this epidemic.  Sharon D’Amico, president of the BBB of Silicon Valley, said that consumers contact the Bureau daily with questions about suspicious e-mails.
 
“Unfortunately, we do hear from many who report that they have already responded to an official-looking e-mail and are having second thoughts.  We are eager to reach them before they are lured by cyber-thieves into transmitting personal financial information,” said Sharon D’Amico.
 
“Protecting cardholders is Visa’s highest priority and through education, we can prevent cardholders from taking the phishing bait,” said Visa USA Executive Vice President Doug Michelman.  “Consumers should know how these scams work and should be suspicious of any e-mail that requests account information.”
 
Many financial institutions use e-mail to communicate with customers and direct them to their Web sites where the customers may be asked to enter personal information as part of registering for a service, such as online banking or accessing account information.  However, if the e-mail wasn’t initiated in response to an action by the consumer, it’s a good idea to go directly to the organization’s Web site by entering the Web site’s address (URL) rather than linking to it from an e-mail.
 
“These ‘phishers’ are sailing under false colors,” said Howard Beales, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “They’re deliberately misrepresenting themselves just to get their hooks into consumers’ personal and financial information. Like fish that’s been around for a few days, this practice really stinks. If consumers aren’t careful, they could find themselves the fish of the day,” he added.
 
"This phishing doesn't use a rod and reel, rather it uses the Internet and its intent is to catch consumers who aren't aware of this scam.  That's why this education campaign is so important," said Shirley Rooker, president of Call For Action.

How to “Cut the Line on Phishing Scams”
 
The Better Business Bureau and its partners recommend consumers protect themselves by doing the following:
 
Treat unsolicited e-mail requests for financial information or other personal data with suspicion. Unsolicited means the e-mail wasn’t initiated in response to an action by the consumer.  Do not reply to the unsolicited e-mail or respond by clicking on a link within the unsolicited e-mail message. 
 
Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the e-mail to verify if it is genuine. Visit a secure Web site or call a phone number that you know to be legitimate.
 
Only enter personal information on a secure Web site that you know to be legitimate. Visa or your card issuer would never ask you to send Social Security numbers, account numbers, passwords, or PINs within an e-mail
message. When entering personal data at a Web site, look for a “locked padlock” in the browser or “https” at the beginning of the Web site address to make sure the site is secure.

Update anti-virus software and security patches to system software regularly.  Phishing emails can contain viruses that may harm your computer if opened.
 
Be cautious. Check your monthly statements to verify all transactions. Notify your bank immediately of any erroneous or suspicious transactions.
 
Forward any suspicious e-mails to the Federal Trade Commission at uce@ftc.gov or file a complaint with the FTC at www.ftc.gov.  You can also forward unsolicited e-mails claiming to be from Visa or your Visa card issuer to phishing@visa.com.
 
                       
Phishing Education
 
In addition to making comprehensive phishing resources available online, the Better Business Bureau and its partners will reach consumers as follows: 

·         The BBB system will inform consumers by issuing media alerts through local BBBs in the U.S. and Canada, publishing articles in business newsletters and on local Bureau Web sites, speaking to community and business organizations about phishing and other Internet scams, and encouraging BBBOnLine participating merchants and other BBB members to link from their Web sites to anti-phishing resources on the bbb.org site.
 
·         Visa USA will be working with its issuing banks by providing cardholder statement inserts.

·         Call For Action will notify its network of consumer hotlines and inform consumers through its broadcast network of 24 top-rated radio and television stations, which reaches over 40 million consumers.  Call For Action also will help victims of identity theft by providing counselors through a toll-free hotline sponsored by Visa. The toll-free number is 1-866-ID-HOTLINE

·         The FTC maintains a comprehensive website (www.consumer.gov/idtheft) that contains consumer and business education materials about identity theft. Consumers can learn how to prevent identity theft and what to do if their identity is stolen. They can also file identity theft related complaints with the FTC at 1-877-ID-THEFT.