http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/...g/identify.mspxRecognize phishing scams and fraudulent e-mailPublished: September 14, 2006 | Updated: August 26, 2008
Tip
To see updated examples of popular phishing scams or to report a possible phishing scam, visit the Anti-Phishing Working Group Archive.
Phishing is a type of deception designed to steal your valuable personal data, such as credit card numbers, Windows Live IDs, other account data and passwords, or other information.
You might see a phishing scam:
? In e-mail messages, even if they appear to be from a coworker or someone you know.
? On your social networking Web site.
? On a fake Web site that accepts donations for charity.
? On Web sites that spoof your familiar sites using slightly different Web addresses, hoping you won't notice.
? In your instant message program.
? On your cell phone or other mobile device.
Often phishing scams rely on placing links in e-mail messages, on Web sites, or in instant messages that seem to come from a service that you trust, like your bank, credit card company, or social networking site.