“Phishing” is a funny-sounding word for a very serious problem. It’s when crooks contact you pretending to be from well-known companies, organizations, or government agencies and try to trick you into giving them your Social Security number, financial account information, passwords, or other personal information. They may use that information to make unauthorized purchases, use your accounts, open new accounts in your name, or even apply for a job or get tax refunds and other government benefits.