Phishing e-mails are designed to trick people into sending money or providing personally identifying information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, and Social Security numbers to unauthorized individuals who hijack their information and use it to commit identity theft. Many times, phishing e-mails use the names or likenesses of legitimate businesses to trick consumers. These e-mails trade on the good name, reputation or brand of legitimate businesses. The New York State Department of State Division of Consumer Protection Phishing Scam Prevention Tips help people identify phishing e-mails.
Additional online safety information can be found on the Protect Yourself When Online page.