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Pfishing on iPhone 16 Pro

I received an email on my iPhone that asked if I would take a survey for a Health Care Organization that I do business with. It said that for my trouble, they would send me a free electric toothbrush. Like an idiot, I clicked on the link and took a very realistic survey on their service. It asked me for my phone number, email and my birthdate. I figured that they already had my email (but know they know it is a real email), I used an old landline phone number for the phone number and for the first time ever I dialed in my actual birthdate. What was I thinking?


Then it asked for my address and a credit card so that they could charge shipping for the toothbrush. It suddenly occurred to me that I had not checked the address from which the email had been sent. When I did, I realized that it was not legitimate.


I ordinarily do NOT succumb to pfishing attempts like this! I am the one cautioning others not to click and give information. It was SO easy to slip into thinking this was legit. I share this as a warning to others! But also, I am more than a little freaked out about my exposure here. Please! Would someone with a more objective perspective tell me how to protect myself.


I am thinking that it might be a good idea to change ALL of my passwords for the new year, anyway. My credit is on hold at the credit bureaus already. What else do I need to do?


thank you!


Marsue

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Jan 2, 2025 8:51 AM

Reply
2 replies

Jan 2, 2025 10:09 AM in response to Marsue

As muguy said, if you didn't give them any passwords or credit card information, then your accounts themselves should be reasonably safe. However, having given them your phone number and confirmed your email address, you now may be on a ton of spam lists and may start getting far more spam emails and calls. You're also at more risk for identity theft, so keep a close eye on all your financial, store and other important accounts so that you can immediately report any fraud attempts. And if you have a mobile phone account, you probably should contact your cell carrier and put a number lock on your account, since once the fraudsters have as much personal data as they have, it's not that hard to then find your cell number and attempt a SIM Swap scam.


Regards.

Pfishing on iPhone 16 Pro

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