Phishing, even though its spelled differently they are still trying to have the same effect. A fisherman will cast out their line not to target anything specifically, but just to hopefully get an unsuspecting victim. It might sound a bit bleak, but this is exactly what these hackers are attempting to do. They create emails using popular websites and services then legitimize these emails as much as possible for the unsuspecting eye. Hoping that they can get someone to click on a link that gives them access to private information.

Scammers use emails to trick you into giving them your personal information. They use these emails to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, if its any kind of sensitive information, they will try to take it. Unsuspecting victims can lose everything just by clicking on what they think is a legitimate and harmless link. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day. Just like a regular fisherman after casting out so multiple times, they will end up catching something no matter how big or small. Australians lost over $634 million to scams in 2019, according to the latest figures in the ACCC’s Targeting Scams report released 22/06/2020

Ways to help you tell if an email is legitimate or phishing.

The email is sent from a public email domain.

No legitimate organization will send emails from an address that ends with – @gmail.com @yahoo.com @hotmail.com. even the actual companies that created these email addresses will not send from these emails. Therefore, it is important for a user to have their own business email to legitimize their own business. You can learn more about it in our previous blog article HERE.

Important tip:  look at the email address, not just the sender.

For example, your inbox displays a name, like “cPanel Administration”, in the subject line. When you open the email, you already know who the message is from and jump straight into the content. When the scammers create the phishing email addresses, they often have the choice to select the display name, which does not have to relate to the email address at all.

This is just one small step they can take to create emails that look like they are from legitimate sources. Apart from creating fake email addresses they also mimic other emails sent from companies by doing the following:

• Use Logos, fonts, images, or colour schemes.
• Notify you of some suspicious activities or log-in attempts.
• Claim there is a problem with your account or payment information.
• Asking you to submit personal information.
• Include a fake invoice.
• Require you to click on a link to verify an account.

Another tip you can use to workout if you have received a phishing email. Simply mouse over the link found in the email, a pop up will appear with the linking address. Usually these links will take you to a random link such as “cslsdfbpaymentlsjd.com/askdfmcs” which is a dead give away that it is not from a legitimate source.

So, what to do If you Responded to a Phishing Email?

First of all you should cancel any cards or accounts with the information you had supplied via the email. Report scams to the ACCC via the Scamwatch report a scam page. Your report helps to warn people about current scams, monitor trends and disrupts scams where possible.

You are also able to contact IDCare on 1800 595 160 or via www.idcare.org for support if you believe your personal information has been put at risk.

Notify hosting-australia.com, as soon as we are notified the support staff will take measures to secure your account with us.