What to do if you've responded to a phishing scam

Step 1: Report the incident

Contact the following authorities:

• Your credit card company, if you have given your credit card information. The sooner an organization knows your account may have been compromised, the easier it will be for them to help protect you.
• The company that you believe was forged. Remember to contact the organization directly, not through the e-mail message you received.

Step 2: Change all your passwords

• Visit Strong passwords: How to create them and check their strength.
• Start with passwords that are related to financial institutions or information.

Step 3: Routinely review your statements

Review your bank and credit card statements monthly for unexplained charges or inquiries that you didn't initiate.

Step 4: Use the most up-to-date tools

• Visit Microsoft Update and sign up for automatic updating.
• Install the latest e-mail software with spam and anti-phishing capabilities like Microsoft Office Outlook, Windows Live Mail, or others to help identify and warn you about suspicious e-mails.
• Use the SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer 8 to help detect unsafe and potentially unsafe Web sites as you browse.
• Install up-to-date antivirus and antispyware software.