Indiana Attorney General Warns Against "Pharming"
InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report
6/8/2005 1:14:32 PM

Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter is warning Hoosiers to beware of a new scam called "Pharming" that steals your personal information.

Carter says unsuspecting Internet users will type in a web address only to be redirected to a website that looks just like the real thing. Pharmers then prompt people to give them personal information.

Source: Inside INdiana Business

Press Release

Indianapolis - Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter is alerting Indiana residents to be aware of a new scam called "Pharming" that steals personal information from unsuspecting Internet users. "Pharmers" direct users to fraudulent commercial web sites, which are practically indiscernible from the legitimate sites, where the pharmers capture personal information entered by the users such as login names, passwords, and even bank account information.

"Pharming is a sinister twist on the more familiar scam of 'phishing' where people are tricked into giving up sensitive personal information after receiving an email solicitation," Attorney General Steve Carter said. "What makes 'pharming' more dangerous is that criminals can steal personal information from internet users who are completely unaware of their vulnerability."

The scam employs high tech methods to steal the information. Pharmers either attack personal computers or the large servers that find Web sites for internet surfers. A victim of pharming will type in the correct word address for a website into the address bar, yet will be directed to a criminal site. The fraudulent website will often look like the authentic website, and pharmers will even try to send the user back to the real website before they are aware of what has happened.

"To protect yourself from these savvy criminals, you must guard your personal information like you guard your wallet or purse." Carter added. "If a regularly visited web site doesn't feel quite right, listen to your instincts and don't proceed."

Because this type of scam is so new, there is no indication of how many people have been victimized. Despite no knowledge of a widespread attack, the office wants to provide internet users with information so that precautions can be taken.

Tips to guard against pharming:
* Frequently run up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spy ware software regularly on your computer
* Install personal firewalls
* When visiting a secure site, make sure the web address in your browser reads HTTPS and not just HTTP
* Look for a security padlock displayed at the bottom of your screen. Double click the icon and see who owns the security certificate. If there is no certificate or the owner doesn't appear to be related to the site, the web page could be fraudulent.

If the website to your bank or investment institution appears different in any way and you are being asked for different login information than normal, you may be experiencing a pharming attack. Contact your financial information immediately with concerns about web site authenticity.

Also, make sure you are entering all web addresses correctly. Some criminal web sites are created one keystroke away from popular sites in the hopes that users won't notice they have arrived there incorrectly.

Victims of pharming or any other identity theft scam should visit the Attorney General's website at www.in.gov/attorneygeneral and download an Identity Theft packet. Consumers can also call the consumer protection hotline at 1-800-382-5516.

Source: Office of Attorney General Steve Carter