Frequently Asked Questions

Question - Phishing –- What is it?
Answer – Phishing most commonly refers to situations where illegal websites try to get your personal confidential information while posing as legitimate websites.  Oftentimes phishing may start or be contained in an email which solicits your personal or financial information as if it is a legitimate request but in actuality is being gathered for illegal or unethical uses.

For example, you get an email from someone posing as a major bank, but it really is not a major bank.  The email asks for confidential or financial information which may ultimately be used to perform illegal acts. Or the email links you to a site that looks legitimate, but in fact is a fake site set up just to collect personal information for fraudulent purposes.

The Federal Trade Commission has more information on phishing schemes and how to avoid them at:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt127.htm

Question – How do I reduce junk mail?
See more information on the official site for the 3 national credit bureaus for opt out information:
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t