Mass. issues phishing brochure

The office of Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin today announced today that it has prepared a brochure titled "Eight Tips to Avoid Phishing Scams" out of concern that many residents are potential targets for this kind of Internet scam.

Phishing attacks are fake e-mail messages that appear to be from banks, government agencies, or businesses and that seek to trick recipients into disclosing sensitive information about themselves such as credit card numbers.

Galvin's office said its securities division has recently received reports that Massachusetts residents are receiving e-mails purporting to be from US Internal Revenue Service but "in reality are from criminals trying to lure unsuspecting citizens with the promise of eligibility for a tax refund."

One topic discussed in Galvin's brochure is how to read a website address so a consumer is not taken in by a site that appears to be legitimate but is not, Galvin's office said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)