Email Scams: Don’t Get Phished In

The Internet has become one of the most important innovations of the last 25 years. It has become one of our primary means of communication and more people are joining in every day. For those who have just started using the Internet for their personal finances and even veterans who have been online for years, it is absolutely imperative that you are aware of the potential dangers of being online.

CashAdvance.com wants to inform consumers not only about loans associated with payday loans, but also any activity which might victimize an unknowing customer. Phishing is one of these activities.

Phishing derives its name from fishing, in particular the idea of baiting something, or someone, into a trap. Most phishing occurs via email. Phishers will often contact people with legitimate-sounding requests for personal information. They may even claim to be from a legitimate business like CashAdvance.com.

Important note: CashAdvance.com will never contact you asking for any of your personal information.

Another strategy scammers may employ is claiming they are working for a company, perhaps even one you recently conducted business with. Claiming some sort of malfunction resulting in data loss, they may ask for your account number or other personal information.

This is especially dangerous with bank account information. Do not give anyone such private information unless you have verified the identity of the caller and are absolutely sure the party contacting you is legitimate.

One way to check a company, or to report a problem, is by visiting the government-run Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Here is their list of tips to avoid being a phishing victim:

• Be suspicious of any unsolicited email requesting personal information.
• Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal information.
• Always compare the link in the email to the link that you are actually directed to.
• Log on to the official website, instead of “linking” to it from an unsolicited email.
• Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the email to verify if the email is genuine.

For additional resources and protective agencies, please visit the CashAdvance.com Consumer Scam Protection Resource.

A cash advance, also referred to as a payday loan or payday advance, is a small, short-term loan that is intended to cover a borrower’s expenses until the following payday. Cash advances are intended for short-term financial relief and do not constitute long-term financial solutions. CashAdvance.com is not a lender and does not make loans or credit decisions. CashAdvance.com provides a loan request service only and is not acting as a representative, agent, or correspondent for any service provider or lender. Consumers are encouraged to consult CashAdvance.com’s State Consumer Resource pages to learn more about the risks involved with cash advances and local laws and regulations governing cash advances.governing cash advances.