by BlondieWrites on April 27, 2009
If you’ve ever been a victim of identity theft, you know first hand the stress and problems it can cause. With the current economic crisis, there are online and offline predators who are taking advantage of this situation by coming up with new ways to steal your identity.
To avoid becoming a statistic, here are some suggestions:
1. Remove the address and telephone number from your checks. Instead of first name, middle initial, and last name on the checks, change it to initials plus last name only. This will prevent anyone from trying to forge your checks.
2. Never send out a check with your social security on it.
3. If your bank provides the checks, be sure to order them from the bank only and not online.
4. When paying bills with a check, especially credit cards, write in the last four digits of your account – never the entire account number.
5. Do not carry your savings account passbook with you. Keep it at home and only use it when making deposits or withdrawals.
6. Make photocopies of your license and credit cards. Keep your social security card at home. Also photocopy any other important information you regularly carry with you.
7. If you use an ATM, memorize the number. Do not take out a slip of paper with the PIN number written on it. With cell phone cameras, anyone can easily snap a picture of the number.
8. Any mail received that you wish to discard, do not just throw it in the trash. Buy an inexpensive shredder, and destroy all mail with your name and address on it. This is especially important for credit card offers you receive in the mail.
9. Never leave posted mail for the mail carrier to pick up. Anyone can take mail out of your mailbox and use the enclosed information. If you have a bill to mail, drop it in the appropriate mailbox or take it to the Post Office.
10. If you receive an email from anyone you do not know, delete it. If you receive an email claiming to be from a bank, PayPal, eBay or any other institution with whom you do business stating that your account has been frozen, cancelled, or needs to be updated, do not click on the links in the email. Instead, delete the email and check out the information by typing in the URL to your online account.
11. Check your credit reports annually with each of the three agencies: Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. Make sure no new accounts have been opened and that all the information provided is accurate. If not, call or write to each agency and report the problems.
12. If your wallet is ever stolen, immediately contact the credit card companies, the bank, and the credit report agencies. If your social security card was stolen as well, you can ask the agencies to place a “fraud alert” on the number as well as your name. Also contact the FTC and file a complaint at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
13. If you shop online, ensure that the website is well known and encrypted for your protection. Look for the lock at the lower right hand corner of the website.
14. Never give out any personal information or your social security number to anyone either online or off line.
If someone wants to hack into your information, they will find a way. But, if you utilize all of the safeguards mentioned above and buy the best anti-virus and firewall software available, the chances of anyone obtaining your personal information is considerably weakened.
Popularity: 42% [?]
by BlondieWrites on April 27, 2009
If you own a computer and utilize the internet daily, you have undoubtedly heard of the term “phishing”. This word relates to bogus emails that are meant to tap into your personal information. More recently (and since the economic crisis), emails are being sent “by banks” requesting that you “update your information” or saying that “there is a problem with your account” or “there has been suspicious activity in your account”.
Does this sound familiar? If so, there is a new round of emails making their way across the globe. One claims to be from JP Morgan Chase, who just purchased Washington Mutual. The other claims to be from Wachovia who was acquired by Wells Fargo. These emails are FAKE. Do not, under any circumstances, open these emails.
If you receive an email supposedly from either bank, delete it. And depending on whether you have an account with either one – check your account by typing in the URL to said bank.
According to AARP’s November 1, 2008 Bulletin, look out for this email: “…the subject line reads, “Account review — Chase Team identified some unusual activity in your account.” In the other, it reads, “You have 1 new ALERT message.” Both tell their targets to click on a link that takes them to a phony website, where they are asked to update their bank accounts by revealing personal information, including bank account number, PIN and Social Security number”.
The email supposedly from Wachovia is just as bad. AARP states that “recipients are told to download software for its “Wachovia Security Plus” protection. But doing so releases a virus that could infect your computer and track passwords and other personal information.”
If you are involved in any online banking and/or pay bills online, it should be noted that no bank or credit card company would ever ask for personal information – ever.
Another scam you may or may not have been aware of is the AOL Scam. AOL was purchased by Time Warner several years ago. Therefore, if your cable service is being supplied by Time Warner, the monthly bill will reflect the AOL monthly charge. If you receive an email claiming to be from the AOL billing department stating that there is a problem with your account and it needs to be updated – delete it!
In addition, anytime you receive an email from AOL, you will know it is real because it is distinctive. AOL will NEVER ask for your account number or any other personal information.
If you are an AOL user and receive email from eBay or PayPal stating any of the above, forward the email to spoof@ebay.com or spoof@paypal.com. You will immediately receive a response indicating that you were the victim of “phishing.”
Remember, delete any email from anyone you do not know. And if something sounds fishy, it probably is!
Popularity: 65% [?]
by BlondieWrites on April 27, 2009
Technology has come a long way in the communication arena. However, along with its positive aspects there are negative ones as well. When cable modems and DSL lines were introduced, not many computer users realized that they would be part of a network of online users.
This led to concerns about internet safety and today it is recommended that computers are shut down when not in use and the cable from the PC to the modem is disconnected to avoid hacking.
Subsequently, wireless technology came along and individuals began buying wireless computers in droves. Moreover, there are thousands of places where you can connect to the internet via wireless technology no matter where you happen to be. But there is one small problem.
Just as hacking into a network is a viable source for predatory behavior, using wireless technology allows for wireless fidelity or Wi-Fi hot spots. These hot spots enable hackers who are within range of your computer to hack into it. Due to the fact that the hot spots may be unsecured, the hacker can position himself as close to the signal as possible and by boosting the signal power, can take over the network.
According to AARP “the hacker can rename the network and get hot spot visitors to log on to it. Once you enter his network, the hacker can get your user ID, passwords and, if you’re doing online shopping or banking, your credit card or bank account information.
Another thing to remember, according to the Cyber Division of the FBI, is that “the connection between your laptop and the attacker’s laptop runs both ways. This means while he’s taking info from you, you may be unknowingly downloading viruses, worms and other malware from him.”
In order to protect your personal information, here are some recommendations:
* Manually select the network you are connecting to and check that when you sign on, the network is definitely yours.
* Do not conduct any online banking or shopping while at a hot spot.
* Upload the best anti-virus, firewall, and encryption software available.
* Shut down the laptop when not in use.
Wireless technology may be a convenient way to communicate and conduct business, but unless you are fully aware of the problems associated with it, the convenience may not be worth the cost.
Popularity: 48% [?]
