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AOL Email Scam - Phishing for Your Identity
Phishing - The AOL Email Scam
Redirects to spoofed (Fake) website
You may have received an email like the one below that looks very authentic, like it came from AOL. This email was not sent by AOL; AOL is a victim as well. If you receive an email similar to the one below, DO NOT click on the link, and do not enter any information on the forms there.
The website that the link leads to is a spoof; a fake website, not created by AOL. It goes to a forum on another website, not AOL! When you enter the information they ask for, you will simply be handing the thieves the keys to your bank accounts. And since the scammers posted the redirects to another legitimate website, it is likely that the real owners of the website were unaware that their website was being used by scammers. That is how spoofing and phishing typically works.
Remember, no reputable business would send you an email requesting your personal account information. Any such email you receive asking for this information should be considered phony and brought to the attention of the business being 'phished'.
Anytime you need to go to a website for your bank, credit card companies or other personal, financial or confidential information; do not follow a link in an email; just type their address in your browser directly.
Below are actual phishing emails that started circulating in early 2007. We have put a warning over the links to the phisher's website.
Billing Center
Dear Valued Member,
We were unable to process your most recent payment. Did you recently change your bank, phone number or credit card?
To ensure that your service is not interrupted, please update your billing information today by clicking here
Sincerely,
AOL Member Services Team
P.S. The link in this massage will be expire within 24 Hours . You have to update your payment information
if you did not update your information within 24 hours ,we will send you another message for completing your information soon.Terms of Use | Security Tip
For more information about phishing, see this page.