2010/02/10

RECENTLY, I received e-mails from different "banks" asking me to update my personal details, to reactivate my online banking account, to participate in a survey for which I would get a RM200 reward, or to use my bank account for money transactions for which I would be paid a certain sum.
Answering these emails would require me to key in personal details such as my online banking account user name and password. I realised this was an attempt to "phish" away my money.

Those who are aware would delete the email, but there are those who get caught because the fake website looks very similar to the legitimate website. According to a survey by Harvard University in 2006, a well-developed phishing website duped 90 per cent of the people who were surveyed.

In 2008, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission received only 86 phishing complaints; phishing cases reported to the National Consumer Complaints Centre were also not significant.

The reported complaints do not represent the reality of the seriousness of the phishing situation in Malaysia. Consumers should report such cases to the authorities so that others will not fall for the scam.

When we apply for credit cards, when we answer survey questions, and every time we fill up a form to participate in a contest, our personal data are at risk of being exposed to third parties.

It seems safe to provide email addresses, telephone numbers, identity card numbers and house addresses to an agency that approaches you, but these are then diverted to someone else. Therefore, consumers need to be careful with their personal details.

Some of those who collect our personal data sell them to third parties. The Consumer Research and Resource Centre hopes the government will implement the Data Protection Act as soon as possible.

YU KIN LEN for Consumer Research and Resource Centre, Kuala Lumpur

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/19phis/Article/index_html