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Frequently asked questions
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- Why is it called phishing?
- How long have phishing and Trojan attacks been around?
- What is being done to stop phishing?
- How do the phishers get your email address?
- How successful are the criminals who use phishing scams?
- Who do I report a phishing incident to?
- What do I do if I think I have already disclosed my personal security details on a phishing site?
- Who do I contact if I think that I have been targeted by a Trojan?
- What should I do if I receive a money mule email or advert?
- What should I do if I have become involved in a Money Mule scam?
- Is it safe to continue to use online banking?
- If I have had money withdrawn from my account by criminals, will I get a full refund?
- How much are current online UK banking fraud losses?
- Where can I get more information about keeping my PC secure?
Types of scams
Protecting yourself
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called phishing?
In the mid-late 1990s, people tried to obtain AOL screen names and passwords which would allow them to gain free online access, by directing AOL users to fake web sites. Details captured in this manner were traded with other people and were referred to as "phish". The term phishing comes from the analogy that the fraudsters are "fishing" for information in the sea of Internet users and the "ph" spelling has its origins in the hacking community when phone "phreakers" used to manipulate telephone exchanges to gain free calls.
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