Tennessee Consumer Affairs says Protect Yourself against Phishing Scams

Consumer Affairs tells Tennesseans to be on guard for scams disguised as legitimate emails or texts

Nashville, TN –  Consumer Affairs Director Gary Cordell tells Tennesseans to be aware of phishing scams via email or text message.

This summer, many consumers have received emails and/or text messages designed as being from a legitimate business such as their bank, a credit card company, a government agency, or a reputable organization that asks the recipient to confirm their personal information by clicking a link.

“Always verify requests for personal information through the organization, company, or agency first,” says Cordell. “Most reputable organizations or companies will not ask you to share personal information with them by email or text message. As a consumer it is important to be very critical of emails or text messages like this, because there may be a thief waiting at the other end of the message.”

Phishing scams can also lead to identity theft.

Here are ways to avoid these scams

• Don’t provide personal or financial information, user names, or passwords in response to an email, because legitimate companies generally don’t seek such information that way.
• If you question whether an email is really from a legitimate business you know, contact the business using a phone number or web address other than the one provided in the email, and ask if the business sent it.
• Use the security tips for preventing spam and spyware or malware listed above.
• Review account and credit card statements promptly to check for unauthorized charges. Use the number or web address on the statement to contact the statement sender if you see any such charges.
• If you have received a suspicious email or text message contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at 1.800.342.4994 and forward the email to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov.

“Remember to be very critical about offers that sound too good to be true, whether they come via telephone, email, or text message,” says Cordell. “Protect yourself by asking questions, reading the fine print, and always verifying the message with the agency, organization, or company.”

To learn more about the Division of Consumer Affairs and the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance visit: www.tn.gov/consumer. There consumers can find links to file online complaints, the Buyer Beware List, and plenty of tips on how to be a smart consumer!

About Tennessee Consumer Affairs

Consumer Affairs is a division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for a daily dose of fire prevention tips, consumer affairs information and much more!