Phishing is a form of emailing where the scum who is writing the Email tries to lure you into giving out your personal information like SSAN, or name, address and birth date.  Some go as far as wanting your phone number also.  It looks as though the thieves can steal your identity if they only know your name, address and phone number.  The best thing to do when you are hit with one of these phishing expeditions is delete the Email message.  Do Not click on any links in the body of the Email because besides wanting you to enter your personal information, they can also install some malware or virus just because you clicked on the link.  Never answer Emails requestion your help in obtaining large amounts of money from which you will be paid a bundle, you will only be taken, you will receive nothing at all.
	I found this on a Web Page the other day.  There wasn't much accompanying it except the words "Funniest Phishing Email Ever" it is funny if you look at it.  Notice the Gmail logo.  Whomever put this together wasn't very knowledgeable about such things, I have placed the actual logo to the left, can you tell the difference?  This is not a good example of a Phishing Email, most do a better job of faking the actual Web Site by using actual logos, and in some cases, they will log you into your actual account so you suspect nothing.  Most banks and financial institutions will not solicit personal information from an Email nor a phone call.  What makes this one funny is the warning below where they say you will lose your account permanently.  Your FREE account.  Notice how professional this looks?