Beware of E-mail Fraud

Many members have reported receiving e-mail messages from companies they do business with-such as Amazon.com and eBay-asking to update or replace private account information.

These e-mail messages often look like the real thing, with company logos and brand identities perfectly in tact. Some even link you to a Web site that looks legitimate.

But beware. Whenever anyone asks you for private account information and you didn't go to them first, you should be concerned.

In most cases, these e-mail messages-often called spoof e-mail or e-mail phishing-are fraudulent. The goal is to trick you into providing private information about yourself that can be used for identity theft.

It's often hard to detect fraudulent e-mail. That's because the e-mail address of the sender often looks like the real thing-and the design and the graphics look the way you'd expect them to look. These elements are easy for anyone to copy.

But if anyone asks you to provide private account information-such as your PIN, credit card numbers or Social Security number-by reply e-mail or by linking to a site they direct you to, don't do it.

Remember to provide private information online only in a secure environment (e-mail is not secure) at merchant sites that you know and trust and only when you request the service.