'Phishers' try to hook half of internet users with spam e-mails

ALMOST half of internet users have received spam e-mails aimed at tricking them into revealing personal information, according to research published today.

"Phishing" e-mails are sent - often disguised as genuine bank e-mails - to get people to reveal details so a fraudster could steal money from their accounts.

The e-mails have become increasingly sophisticated and will often direct the user to a false website via a hyperlink.

Some five per cent of users have lost money through different online scams, the results of a poll for internet service provider AOL revealed.

These include paying for items ordered over the web which never arrive and sending cash following a demand from a bogus e-mail.

Of those who had lost money as a result of phishing e-mails (one per cent), the majority (53 per cent) were not compensated by either their bank or credit card provider. A further 11 per cent are still waiting for compensation.

Banks are seldom under obligation to provide compensation, with many terms and conditions.

A quarter of respondents were not aware that they would be liable for lost money.

The amounts stolen were often small - around £50 - which allowed the fraudsters to carry on undetected.