The Anti-Phishing Working Group has estimated that thieves collectively launch more than 14,000 phishing schemes monthly and about 5 percent of computer users get cheated.


The Anti-Phishing Working Group reports that every month the phishing attacks are increasing and out of 14,000 phishing attacks launched 5% get response from computer users.

Johan Fabris of Holmes, 82-year-old grandmother, who had a site set up by her teenage grandson to sell hand-sewn doll clothes in Internet auctions Pa. had her online bank account hijacked.

In such phishing scams, victims are fooled by realistic looking emails that appear to come from banks or other financial institutions. The messages direct recipients to verify their accounts by typing personal details and credit card information into a Web site disguised to appear legitimate.

“They make it look completely real,” said Jennifer Phillips, 25, of Martinsville, Ill. She was tricked into disclosing her card number, mother’s maiden name, bank routing number and more. “You wouldn’t think this could happen to anybody living in the middle of cornfields,” she said.

Read the full report of The Anti-Phishing Working Group.

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