网络钓鱼诈骗 are one of the most common forms of scams, and they tend to be more prevalent during times of crisis. These scams occur when criminals trick their targets into exposing personal information, 比如银行账户和信用卡号, 网站密码或社会安全号码.

一旦数据窃贼得到了你的信息, 它们很容易渗透到你生活的其他方面, including your email and social media accounts and access to your money. If they’ve obtained your Social Security number, you’re also at 身份被盗的风险.

A phishing email may appear to be legitimate and could feature "official" logos such as those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 美国国税局(IRS), the Social Security Administration (SSA) or other major government agencies.

Here are some red flags to be aware of to help you look out for phishing scams:

• 你收到一封提供免费商品或服务的电子邮件.
• You receive an email containing receipts or invoices you know you didn't pay.
• You're getting a sudden influx of suspicious activity report emails about private accounts.
• 你会收到电子邮件，要求你核实个人信息.

大多数网络钓鱼邮件都带有紧急语气, so pay close attention and pause to carefully review anything that seems pushy or demanding.

If you receive a phishing email, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 这个机构孜孜不倦地追踪和抓捕骗子. 报告可以直接在 联邦贸易委员会网站. 你也可以向 华盛顿州总检察长办公室.

虚假网站经常被用来收集信息. The page may be a dead ringer for your online banking platform or look like the site for a retail store where you regularly shop, but when you enter your sign in credentials or payment information, 你刚刚交出了你账户的钥匙.

以下是一些避免假冒网站的最佳方法:

• Never click on a link from an email you don't recognize or trust.
• Hover your cursor over emailed links to verify the URL matches.
• Look for spelling errors and minor differences from what you’d expect in the URL.
• Make purchases only from sites and companies you already know or have verified.

If you discover a fake website, report it to the FTC immediately. The sooner these websites are exposed, the sooner they can be taken down.

A good rule of thumb regarding any type of scam is to trust your instincts. 如果某件事看起来不对劲，那它很可能就是错的.