Paul Eng, our electronics blogger, recently discovered a new phishing phenomenon: a mobile text message posing as a legitimate communication from his bank. He was sharp enough to know something was phishy, and avoided the potential scam. 

The incident underscores the need for vigilance in all your communications, particularly with merchants, financial institutions, and government agencies. As the holiday shopping season rolls around, it's a good time to review these cautions to prevent identity and data theft, outlined by the Federal Trade Commission.