Phishing (fishing, fishin) is a type of online scam where criminals try to trick you into giving them personal information, like passwords, bank details, or credit card numbers. They often pretend to be a trusted company, such as a bank, email provider, or delivery service, and send fake messages (emails, texts, or websites) that look real.
The term “phishing” comes from a play on the word “fishing”, as in fishing for victims by using bait.
For example, you might get an email that looks like it’s from your bank, asking you to click a link and enter your login details. But instead of going to the real bank website, the link takes you to a fake website controlled by scammers who steal your information.
To stay safe from phishing:
- Check the sender’s email address—if it looks strange, it might be fake.
- Look for spelling mistakes—scammers often make errors.
- Don’t click suspicious links—hover over them to see where they really go.
- Be wary of urgent messages—scammers often say things like “Your account will be locked if you don’t act now!”
If you’re ever unsure, go directly to the official website instead of clicking links in emails or messages.