Actual phishing email

Phishing is defined, according to Wikipedia as "a form of criminal activity using social engineering techniques, characterized by attempts to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy person or business in an apparently official electronic communication, such as an email or an instant message.

The term phishing arises from the use of increasingly sophisticated lures to "fish" for users' financial information and passwords.  With the growing number of reported phishing incidents, additional methods of protection are needed. Attempts include legislation, user training, and technical measures."

With this definition in mind, here are some actual phishing emails.

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IRS tax refund scam

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Identity theft - Paypal phishing example #1

Identity theft - Paypal phishing example #2

Identity theft - email phishing example #1

Identity theft - email phishing example #2

Lottery phishing

Chinese bank caught hosting phishing site - read story