Personal finance

Phishing trip

I keep hearing people talk about phishing e-mails. Can you tell me in simple terms what they are?

The aim of a phishing e-mail is to get you to a Web site where you will provide personal information. With these basic checks, you can become aware of the threat and help to ensure the safety of your identity and finances.

Be attentive if the e-mail asks you to go to a Web site and verify personal information. This is a red flag. Financial institutions, government agencies, and merchants won't ask you to verify your personal information in a response to an e-mail.
Identify the tone of the e-mail. Most phishing e-mails display a sense of urgency by threatening discontinued service, informing you that your identity or finances are in danger, or saying important information will be lost if you don't take immediate action.
Notice the quality of grammar in the e-mail. Many phishing e-mails have misspellings, bad grammar or poor punctuation.
Check to see if the links given in the e-mail are valid. Deceptive links in phishing e-mails look like they are links to a valid site, but will send you to a counterfeit Web page. Some times you can check the link by just moving your mouse over the link.
Check the greeting of the e-mail to see if it is personally directed to you and to your current account. Many phishing e-mails use generic salutations like Account Holder or Customer instead of your name.
Look to see if the e-mail address is from the company that is contacting you. Many phishing e-mails come from an e-mail address not from the company represented in the e-mail.
When you have doubts about an e-mail, type it out. If you suspect an e-mail to be phishing, don't click on any links in the e-mail. Type the valid address directly into your browser.
If you still have some doubts about an e-mail, contact the customer service of the financial institution represented in the e-mail and check to see if it is phishing. Cut and paste the e-mail in question and ask if it is for real. Your financial institution will welcome information that could relate to a possible phishing attack of their Web site.

Chris Dean
Coordinator
MU Extension's Tri-Lakes Telecommunications Community Resource Center

Social Security benefits

I started receiving Social Security checks when I was in the 10th grade. I am now 18 and my benefits have stopped because I am no longer in secondary school, but I read as long as I stay in school, I can still receive benefits. How can I apply for it?

You need to contact the Social Security Office. I looked on their Web site and this is what I found:

You can conduct your Social Security business 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays, by calling 800-772-1213. You can speak to a representative from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on business days. Some of the services available include scheduling an appointment, changing your address, and signing up to send your Social Security check directly to your bank.

You can also use the automated services 24 hours a day to request services such as a replacement Medicare card or Social Security Statement, and a variety of other forms and publications.

Phone lines are busiest early in the week and early in the month, so if your business can wait, it's best to call at other times. However, if you're planning to file for benefits, you should call us as soon as possible. You can help us serve you better by having your Social Security number handy when you call.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our TTY number, 800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.

They will have to answer your questions.

Brenda Procter
Associate State Specialist
Personal Financial Planning Extension