You may have experienced or read about recent incidents of unsolicited email messages masquerading as legitimate companies that deceive recipients into divulging confidential personal and financial information. This type of email solicitation is called "Phishing" (also referred to as "brand spoofing"). Phishing occurs when a consumer receives a deceptively-legitimate looking email from what appears to be a reputable company. Often "phishing" spam messages will use legitimate 'From:' email addresses, logos and links of reputable businesses in the message. But the message instructs you to click on a web link that sends you to a fake website where you are asked to provide personal information to the scam artists. Such sites will ask for information such as your name, address, phone number, date of birth, Social Security Number (SSN), Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), passwords, and bank or credit card account number. Providing this kind of information can leave consumers at risk for identity theft.