FTC Offers Tips for Phishing Scam Victims

Phishing scams are not just a problem for computer users but also for the businesses that the scammers are impersonating. And people who have been scammed may look to the business that was impersonated for help.
The Federal Trade Commission has just released  tips and a video for businesses on how to respond if they are impersonated as part of a phishing scam.
A key, says the FTC, is to offer your customers immediate advice and support.
If your business has a social media presence, announce the scam on your social media sites and warn customers to ignore suspicious emails or texts purporting to be from your company. You can also inform your customers of the phishing scam by email or letter.
The important point is to remind your customers that legitimate businesses like yours would never solicit sensitive personal information through insecure channels like email or text messages.
The FTC also recommends contacting law enforcement—specifically the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center—as soon as possible.
Suggest that affected customers forward any phishing emails impersonating your business to the Anti Phishing Working Group, a public-private partnership against cybercrime.
Consumers also can file a complaint with the FTC.