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Definition: What is phishing?

Phishing is an illegal practice that was first seen a few years ago and has since become an everyday online phenomenon. The goal of phishing is to obtain, under false pretenses, information about people. That information is then used to set up lines of credit under those people's names. Victims are prompted to supply their personal information when they get an email that appears to come from a bank or credit union seeking “confirmation” of address, social security numbers, etc. Once credit is established with that bogus identity, goods are purchased and shipped to the fraudster.