Phishing, Scam and Fraud What is the Difference?

Phishing, Scam and Fraud What is the Difference?Phishing, Scam and Fraud What is the Difference?
Phishing is usually done by email or websites (electronically) where a scenario is created which requires the user to enter their details. The details are then used for illegal means.



Scams can be verbal, or visual, where the user is deceived into believing something which isn't true. It does not require the user to give out details - it could just be tricking them into paying more money for a product than the product is worth etc.



Fraud is similar to a scam, but usually involved impersonation - e.g identity fraud.



In effect, scams and frauds are very similar, and can usually be used to describe the same or similar scenarios. However, phishing has slight subtle differences to the others in that it's done electronically and the aim is to obtain someone's personal (financial) details.Phishing, Scam and Fraud What is the Difference?
Phishing is normally attempting to get important information from someone. Using a fake e-mail to retrieve someones password or e-mail account or credit card number and pin, for example. Fishing for information.



Scam is usually when a dealer misrepresents information the a buyer in order to swindle the unknowing buyer. Placing a product on a shady website and listing the information incorrectly on purpose to make a crappy product seem better than it is, while selling it much higher than it should be. This is a scam. Fraud is using false information to deceive someone with negative intent. Basically scamming is fraud, and phishing is fraud.



At least, to my knowledge that's the "differences" between them. They're all similar.Phishing, Scam and Fraud What is the Difference?
Scam and Fraud are the same thing. Phishing is when someone contacts you by mail, phone or email trying to gather personal information - passwords, user names, bank account details, credit card numbers, your full name, birthdate, etc