They're getting better, but thank God, not by much...

I got this email today from a phisher, and it was well enough done (at first glance) to give me pause. Here's what's wrong with it:

1) Clearly, their spoofer doesn't do well with dates, otherwise, I'm WAAAAY behind on getting this email (sent in 2000? get real)

2) As usual, the official-looking, safe-looking URL really doesn't lead to the secure website the message promised. In this case, it goes to the less-safe looking (and non-secure) http://banking-jpmchase.com (please, readers, justify my faith in your smarts and don't click the link - yeah, I know it's like telling Stimpy not to press the History Eraser Button, but fight the urge).

3) The grammar isn't up to "Corporate America" standards. The seemingly random placement of commas, the misplaced plural, the "Jpmorgan" instead of J.P. Morgan, and the atrocious blurb about how safe you are banking with Chase are all big red flags.

4) And let's not forget the Big-Daddy-Don-Garlits of them all...if this is from my bank, and they know my account number, why am I addressed as "customer" (in lower-case, no less) instead of by my name? [Note: they didn't actually have my account number, but they did include a number that was supposed to look like an account number in the subject line.]

However, I am glad that once they're done stealing my information, they'll direct me back to the "actual Online Access Agreement".

There's something almost insidious about the "covered 100%" blurb. It's almost like they're making it sound okay for them to steal your information, because you won't be held responsible for it. So, go ahead! Click on the link and let them hoover up your identity. It won't be your fault.

When you know what to look for, these are almost laughable. The frightening part is that I'm the only one in my family (except maybe brother T) who knows what to look for. But then, I'm the only one who conducts a significant amount of his financial life online so far.

If I could just get everyone to stop forwarding the damn "send this along to everyone you know and ______ will happen" (where _____ is "you have true friends", "Jesus will love you", "Maryann Wizzleteats will get a new spleen", "somebody will send you a $50 gift card", "Yahoo won't shut down their instant messenger service", etc.) emails and IMs, I'd be a happier person.

Surf safely, folks.