Goodmail Systems, creators of CertifiedEmail are advising consumers to be on the lookout for fraudulent email scams and “phishing” attacks related to the current turmoil in the U.S. financial and insurance markets. Email scammers like to use global crises and high profile news headlines when baiting consumers. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, millions of Americans received fake emails claiming to be from charitable organizations soliciting donations. When the government distributed stimulus checks earlier this year, the IRS became the target. Phishers know how to make use of people’s vulnerabilities during times of stress.

Phishing is one form of email fraud in which the scammer impersonates a bank, non-profit or other company a consumer does business with, like a travel company, retailer or news media outlet. By pretending to be a company the consumer trusts, or by offering a special deal to a consumer, the scammer is able to obtain sensitive personal information which can lead directly to embezzlement.

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