Lowest of the Low

Ok... I keep hearing about these AOL send us your billing information emails. I had never seen one before until yesterday, and now I have received two:
__

SECOND NOTICE

Dear Valued Member,

We were unable to process your last two billing transactions and your account is now past due. To ensure that your service is not interrupted, please update your billing information today by clicking here . Or call AOL Member Services toll-free at 1-877-773-4462. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you have recently updated your billing information, please disregard this message as we are processing the changes you have made.

Sincerely,

AOL Member Services Team

P.S. AOL has several pricing options to meet your needs. Please call AOL Member Services to ensure that you are on the optimal pricing plan and to update your payment information today!
______

Ok, so I knew better but I just had to see. So, I clicked on the hyper link from the email. I know that was about the second dumbest thing I could have done, the first being actually providing the information they asked for. I was astonished at the information they were asking:

Name
Address
Social Security Number
Birth Date
Mother's Maiden Name
Employment Information
Major Credit Card (including number, pin, security code and expiration date)

With this information it would be incredibly easy for anyone to assume my identity. Anyone. With this information they could run a credit report, find out who my current creditors are and begin to establish new lines of credit without me ever knowing. These pieces of information are all we have to keep our information safe.

I am assuming I am preaching to the choir on this but, don't follow these links and give them information, EVER. They are never real. These organizations prey on the uninformed and naive. I have a hard time believing that anyone would follow their directions, but there are people who are trusting and when AOL asks, you give.