Don’t Take the Bait

09/25/2024

Phishing occurs when criminals try to get us to open harmful links, emails or attachments that could request our personal information or infect our devices. Phishing messages or “bait” usually come in the form of an email, text, direct message on social media or phone call. These messages are often designed to look like they come from a trusted person or organization, to get us to respond.  FCC will never ask you to provide your password to any accounts!
 
Link to video: Recognize and Report Phishing | CISA
 
Stay Safe with Three Simple Tips
 
1. Recognize
Look for these common signs:

• Urgent or emotionally appealing language, especially messages that claim dire consequences for not responding immediately
• Requests to send personal and financial information.  Examples include userid and passwords.  FCC will never ask you to provide your password to any accounts!
• Untrusted shortened URLs
• Incorrect email addresses or links, like amazan.com

A common sign used to be poor grammar or misspellings although in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) some emails will now have perfect grammar and spelling, so look out for the other signs.
 
2. Resist
If you suspect phishing, resist the temptation to click on links or attachments that seem too good to be true and may be trying to access your personal information. Instead, report the phish to protect yourself and others. Typically, you’ll find options to report near the person’s email address or username. You can also report via the “report spam” button in the toolbar or settings.
 
3. Report the message
Don’t reply or click on any attachment or link, including any “unsubscribe” link. 
 

1. Click on the email that you would like to report as Phishing.  
2. Click the on the 3 dots at top right-hand side of the email to display email options. 
3. Choose Report to report the email as phishing.

 
Should you have any questions, contact the FCC-IT Helpdesk by calling 301. 846.2509, or online at FCC- Helpdesk