Incentives and threats: How to avoid scammers ‘phishing’ for money, personal information

Be wary of cyber criminals posing as legitimate organisations asking for money or personal information. — Dreamstime/TNS

There are certain rites of passage in life. Milestone birthdays, graduations, marriages or births. And of course, that first email from a Nigerian prince who wants your bank account number to safeguard money with the promise you’ll receive a fortune in return.

That long-running con is one of many scams plaguing US consumers today in an onslaught that can feel relentless, with criminals targeting you by mail, email, phone, text and even social media.