Sending an email to a user under false pretenses. Sender claims to be a legitimate enterprise as part of an attempt to get user to provide confidential information – often relating to credit cards and bank accounts. The receiver of a “phishing” email is often directed to another site requesting an update on personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers and bank accounts. The intent is to steal and use this information. DO NOT RESPOND, even though the site looks legitimate. 

Recently, the head of the FBI was in the process of responding to a phishing email asking for personal information when his wife stopped him.