Identity theft is becoming a bigger problem as more and more people are making the internet a bigger part of their lives. People who are new to the online medium often fall prey to ‘phishing’ or other internet identity theft schemes. In many cases the ‘phishing party’ uses your credit card to order goods for them selves, in other cases they will apply for credit cards, set up bank accounts, and take advantage of your good credit rating. Correcting these issues involves a lot of time energy and stress, so here are ten tips to help you from becoming a victim of identity theft.
Use a disposable email account. Keep your business or personal email account just for business or personal communication. If you are going to be making purchases online, joining newsgroups, or subscribing to mailing lists and ezines use a disposable email account. There are many online free accounts such as yahoo, hotmail or grail, and most of them can interface with popular email clients like outlook or outlook express. Use one of them for all of your shopping transactions.
Disguise your online identity. If your real name in Mary Smith try to avoid using email accounts with name like msmith@example.com when dealing with people you don’t know and trust. If you were born in 1972 don’t chose msmith1972@example.com as your email account.
Use different level passwords. Use one password for your personal information, use another for your business accounts and a third for your disposable email accounts or mailing lists you sign up for. Don’t use sequential passwords like password1 for personal use password2 for business, and password 3 for disposable accounts.
Use strong passwords. Don’t use your birthdates, year you were married, or your children’s birthdates. Avoid choosing passwords that consist entirely of letters or numbers. Also try to avoid using passwords that are actual words. The best passwords are mnemonic phrases like “my father ate three apples for breakfast”. Take the first letter of each word and convert the number into numbers and you end up with “mfa3a4b”.
Rotate your passwords. You should change your passwords every 6 to 12 months. If you suspect your passwords have been compromised change them as a safety precaution.
Use only one credit card for all of your online purchases. If any of your other credit cards have online transactions you know they are fraudulent. If you see offline purchases for your online credit card you also know they are fraudulent.
Use credit cards instead of debit cards. While many debit cards now offer online purchase protection it’s easier to dispute fraudulent charges than to recover debit card funds that have already been spent.
When you make purchases online make sure your transactions are secure. In the address bar you should see “https” and not “http”. There should also be small lock icon in your browser. If this is your first purchase from the company make sure the issuing company is someone you have heard of like Verisign, or Thawte.
Check a company’s privacy policy. When you make your first transaction make sure your check the privacy policy, look for logos from consumer groups like Trust-E and the better business bureau. Click the logos to make sure they are authentic.
Never open or fill out email requests for you to update you account or credit card settings via email. These are ‘phishing’ scams people use to try and secure your personal information. Many of them are growing increasingly sophisticated and go to great lengths to look exactly like the companies website using their exact logo.
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Summary:
Identity theft is becoming a bigger problem as more and more people are making the internet a bigger part of their lives. People who are new to the online medium often fall prey to ‘phishing’ or other internet identity theft schemes. In many cases the ‘phishing party’ uses your credit card to order goods for them selves, in other cases they will apply for credit cards, set up bank accounts, and take advantage of your good credit rating. Correcting these issues involves a lot ...
Showing posts with label identity theft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label identity theft. Show all posts
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Ten Steps to Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft
You've probably heard about identity theft on television or read about it in the newspaper, and you may already be aware of the damage these crimes can cause victims and their families. What you may not know is how to protect yourself from these attacks. Below you'll find ten steps that can help you minimize your chances of becoming another identity theft statistic.
1. Invest in a shredder – Never throw anything away without shredding it first. Identity thieves will dig through dumpsters and trash bags looking for credit card receipts, voided checks, paid bills, credit card offers, and other items which provide them with your personal information.
2. Mail everything from the post office – Leaving your outgoing mail in or on your mailbox is an invitation to have it stolen by an identity thief. Not only can they get all of your personal information from the check, but they can even alter the check and cash it themselves. Instead, drop it by the post office or another mailbox.
3. Use a post office box – Incoming mail is also a target for identity thieves. Your bills, checks, even junk mail can be used by these thieves to steal your
personal information. If you have a post office box, then your mail will be delivered safely to that box.
4. Have a non-published phone number – Some identity thieves will also use the telephone in an attempt to get your personal information. For example, one scam involved a caller telling a person he or she had won a government grant that was going to be directly deposited into their checking account. Of course, the caller needed the person's checking account number to deposit the money. If your phone number isn't available, then you won't be harassed by these calls.
5. Check your accounts weekly – If you don't already, you need to get in the habit of checking the balances of all your financial accounts on a weekly basis. Waiting for monthly statements isn't good enough because by then your account could have been completely drained.
6. Check your credit report yearly – Every year, you should request free copies of your credit report and check them for any errors, such as credit cards or loans you never took out. If you find out now that someone is using your identity, you can start correcting the problem before you need to use your own credit.
7. Memorize PIN numbers and passwords – Never write down your PIN numbers or passwords. No place is a safe place to keep these important pieces of information. Keep them in your memory so no one can steal them. Also, make them more complicated than an ordinary word or your birthday. It shouldn't be easy for anyone to guess.
8. Keep only basic information on checks – Your checks should only include basic information about you, such as your name and address. Your social security number should never be printed on your checks. If it is, then you're basically handing over the keys to your identity to any thief who comes in contact with your check.
9. Eliminate unwanted credit card offers – Those credit card offers you throw away can be used by identity thieves. They simply have to complete the application and change the address to have a card sent to them in your name. You should shred them, but you can also call 1-888-567-8688 or visit http://www.optoutprescreen.com to opt-out of the credit card offer mailing list so you'll stop receiving them.
10. Carry only necessities – Never carry anything in your purse or wallet that isn't necessary, such as extra deposit slips, social security cards, birth certificates, etc. The more personal information your purse or wallet contains the more valuable it will be to an identity thief if it is lost or stolen.
Although we only promised ten steps, we're throwing in an extra one to help you protect yourself even further.
11. Go electronic – Bank statements, most bills, and many other documents can all be viewed electronically so you never have to worry about them being stolen out of your mailbox or your trash. Contact your financial institution, credit card companies, and utility providers about the availability of this option. As an extra bonus, many of these businesses offer incentives to individuals who sign up for these electronic programs.
These steps are only some of the ways you can protect yourself from identity thieves. For even more suggestions on reducing your risk or details on what to do if you've been an identity theft victim, you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.pcsecuritynews.com.
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Summary:
Are you at risk of identity theft? The sad truth is that everyone is now a days. There are painless steps you can take to reduce your risk and protect your family. Read this article for 10 tips you can follow starting today.
1. Invest in a shredder – Never throw anything away without shredding it first. Identity thieves will dig through dumpsters and trash bags looking for credit card receipts, voided checks, paid bills, credit card offers, and other items which provide them with your personal information.
2. Mail everything from the post office – Leaving your outgoing mail in or on your mailbox is an invitation to have it stolen by an identity thief. Not only can they get all of your personal information from the check, but they can even alter the check and cash it themselves. Instead, drop it by the post office or another mailbox.
3. Use a post office box – Incoming mail is also a target for identity thieves. Your bills, checks, even junk mail can be used by these thieves to steal your
personal information. If you have a post office box, then your mail will be delivered safely to that box.
4. Have a non-published phone number – Some identity thieves will also use the telephone in an attempt to get your personal information. For example, one scam involved a caller telling a person he or she had won a government grant that was going to be directly deposited into their checking account. Of course, the caller needed the person's checking account number to deposit the money. If your phone number isn't available, then you won't be harassed by these calls.
5. Check your accounts weekly – If you don't already, you need to get in the habit of checking the balances of all your financial accounts on a weekly basis. Waiting for monthly statements isn't good enough because by then your account could have been completely drained.
6. Check your credit report yearly – Every year, you should request free copies of your credit report and check them for any errors, such as credit cards or loans you never took out. If you find out now that someone is using your identity, you can start correcting the problem before you need to use your own credit.
7. Memorize PIN numbers and passwords – Never write down your PIN numbers or passwords. No place is a safe place to keep these important pieces of information. Keep them in your memory so no one can steal them. Also, make them more complicated than an ordinary word or your birthday. It shouldn't be easy for anyone to guess.
8. Keep only basic information on checks – Your checks should only include basic information about you, such as your name and address. Your social security number should never be printed on your checks. If it is, then you're basically handing over the keys to your identity to any thief who comes in contact with your check.
9. Eliminate unwanted credit card offers – Those credit card offers you throw away can be used by identity thieves. They simply have to complete the application and change the address to have a card sent to them in your name. You should shred them, but you can also call 1-888-567-8688 or visit http://www.optoutprescreen.com to opt-out of the credit card offer mailing list so you'll stop receiving them.
10. Carry only necessities – Never carry anything in your purse or wallet that isn't necessary, such as extra deposit slips, social security cards, birth certificates, etc. The more personal information your purse or wallet contains the more valuable it will be to an identity thief if it is lost or stolen.
Although we only promised ten steps, we're throwing in an extra one to help you protect yourself even further.
11. Go electronic – Bank statements, most bills, and many other documents can all be viewed electronically so you never have to worry about them being stolen out of your mailbox or your trash. Contact your financial institution, credit card companies, and utility providers about the availability of this option. As an extra bonus, many of these businesses offer incentives to individuals who sign up for these electronic programs.
These steps are only some of the ways you can protect yourself from identity thieves. For even more suggestions on reducing your risk or details on what to do if you've been an identity theft victim, you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.pcsecuritynews.com.
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Summary:
Are you at risk of identity theft? The sad truth is that everyone is now a days. There are painless steps you can take to reduce your risk and protect your family. Read this article for 10 tips you can follow starting today.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Solving The Identity Theft
Identity theft refers to an act of impersonating someone with a view to harm him/her financially or illegally framing him/her for a crime. Personal information can be extracted through the computer databases at work place. Although it is a broader term but its effect narrows down to offences like credit card fraud or mortgage fraud. In this context, there are two terms, which are used interchangeably. One is identity theft and other is identity fraud.
Contributors to The Crime
The lenders are the ones who aggravate the situation. They willingly extend credit without peripheral contact with the concerned person. Nowadays there is a trend of transacting business on line or via telephone. Such practice can further be held responsible for lending unauthorized access of personal information to unknown people.
The rules, laws and other regulations imposed by the government of a particular country on its erstwhile citizens play a vital role in eradicating such frauds. In some countries, there is a practice of issuing ID cards to the citizens as a proof of their identity. Here it is definitely not a cakewalk to commit such a fraud. In some of the countries Social Security, numbers are used as identity proofs.
Early Precautions
It is necessary on the part of individuals to take enough precautions in order to save their skin.
·You must keep a check on the credit feedbacks regularly.
·You must keep an eye on the bank accounts.
·You must avoid use of cellular phones to discuss certain confidential details.
·In case of online shopping, you must be careful about the company and ensure a security number is allotted to everyone logged in.
·You must avoid carrying documents of identity with yourself.
·You must thoroughly verify the details of the persons before dealing with them.
Identity thefts are one of the fastest accelerating crimes all over the world. The legal system of a country must tackle such frauds at war footing, as the extent of real damage is not easy to ascertain. It is the identity of a person, which is put at stake.
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Summary:
Identity theft refers to an act of impersonating someone with a view to harm him/her financially or illegally framing him/her for a crime. Personal information can be extracted through the computer databases at work place. Although it is a broader term but its effect narrows down to offences like credit card fraud or mortgage fraud. In this context, there are two terms, which are used interchangeably. One is identity theft and other is identity fraud.
Contributors to The C...
Contributors to The Crime
The lenders are the ones who aggravate the situation. They willingly extend credit without peripheral contact with the concerned person. Nowadays there is a trend of transacting business on line or via telephone. Such practice can further be held responsible for lending unauthorized access of personal information to unknown people.
The rules, laws and other regulations imposed by the government of a particular country on its erstwhile citizens play a vital role in eradicating such frauds. In some countries, there is a practice of issuing ID cards to the citizens as a proof of their identity. Here it is definitely not a cakewalk to commit such a fraud. In some of the countries Social Security, numbers are used as identity proofs.
Early Precautions
It is necessary on the part of individuals to take enough precautions in order to save their skin.
·You must keep a check on the credit feedbacks regularly.
·You must keep an eye on the bank accounts.
·You must avoid use of cellular phones to discuss certain confidential details.
·In case of online shopping, you must be careful about the company and ensure a security number is allotted to everyone logged in.
·You must avoid carrying documents of identity with yourself.
·You must thoroughly verify the details of the persons before dealing with them.
Identity thefts are one of the fastest accelerating crimes all over the world. The legal system of a country must tackle such frauds at war footing, as the extent of real damage is not easy to ascertain. It is the identity of a person, which is put at stake.
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===========================================
Summary:
Identity theft refers to an act of impersonating someone with a view to harm him/her financially or illegally framing him/her for a crime. Personal information can be extracted through the computer databases at work place. Although it is a broader term but its effect narrows down to offences like credit card fraud or mortgage fraud. In this context, there are two terms, which are used interchangeably. One is identity theft and other is identity fraud.
Contributors to The C...
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Phishing and Pharming: Dangerous Scams
As soon as almost all computer users already got used to -- or at least heard about -- the word "phishing", another somewhat confusing word appeared. Pharming. Does it differ from phishing -- if yes, how?
<b>Two Pharmings</b>
Actually, two completely different fields use the term "pharming" now. We can say there exist two separate "pharmings".
If genetics or businessmen from pharmaceutical industry are talking about pharming (spelled like that) it might have nothing to do with computers. This word has long been familiar to genetic engineers. For them, it's a merger of "farming" and "pharmaceutical" and means the genetic engineering technique -- inserting extraneous genes into host animals or plants in order to make them produce some pharmaceutical product. Although it is very interesting matter, this article isn't about it.
As for PC users, the term "pharming" recently emerged to denote exploitation of a vulnerability in the DNS server software caused by malicious code. This code allows the cybercriminal who contaminated this PC with it to redirect traffic from one IP-address to the one he specified. In other words, a user who types in a URL goes to another web site, not the one he wanted to--and isn't supposed to notice the difference.
Usually such a website is disguised to look like a legitimate one -- of a bank or a credit card company. Sites of this kind are used solely to steal users' confidential information such as passwords, PIN numbers, SSNs and account numbers.
<b>Dangerous Scams</b>
A fake website that's what "traditional" phishing has in common with pharming. This scam can fool even an experienced computer user, and it makes pharming a grave threat. The danger here is that users don't click an email link to get to a counterfeit website.
Most people enter their personal information, unaware of possible fraud. Why should they suspect anything if they type the URL themselves, not following any links in a suspiciously-looking email?
Unfortunately, "ordinary" phishers are also getting smarter. They eagerly learn; there is too much money involved to make criminals earnest students. At first phishing consisted only of a social engineering scam in which phishers spammed consumer e-mail accounts with letters ostensibly from banks. The more people got aware of the scam, the less spelling mistakes these messages contained, and the more fraudulent websites looked like legitimate ones.
Since about November 2004 there has been a lot of publications of a scheme which at first was seen as a new kind of phishing. This technique includes contaminating a PC with a Trojan horse program. The problem is that this Trojan contains a keylogger which lurks at the background until the user of the infected PC visits one of the specified websites. Then the keylogger comes to life to do what it was created for -- to steal information.
It seems that this technique is actually a separate scam aimed at stealing personal information and such attacks are on the rise. Security vendor Symantec warns about commercialisation of malware -- cybercriminals prefer cash to fun, so various kinds of information-stealing software are used more actively.
Spy Audit survey made by ISP Earthlink and Webroot Software also shows disturbing figures - 33.17% PCs contaminated with some program with information stealing capability.
However, more sophisticated identity theft attempts coexist with "old-fashioned" phishing scams. That is why users should not forget the advice which they all are likely to have learned by heart:
<ul>
<li>Never follow a link in an email, if it claims to be from a financial institution</li>
<li>Never open an attachment if the email is from somebody you don't know </li>
<li>Protect your PC from malware </li>
<li>Stay on the alert </li>
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===========================================
Summary:
As soon as almost all computer users already got used to -- or at least heard about -- the word "phishing", another somewhat confusing word appeared. Pharming. Does it differ from phishing -- if yes, how?
<b>Two Pharmings</b>
Actually, two completely different fields use the term "pharming" now. We can say there exist two separate "pharmings".
If genetics or businessmen from pharmaceutical industry are talking about pharming (spelled like that) it might have nothing to do with computers. This word has long been familiar to genetic engineers. For them, it's a merger of "farming" and "pharmaceutical" and means the genetic engineering technique -- inserting extraneous genes into host animals or plants in order to make them produce some pharmaceutical product. Although it is very interesting matter, this article isn't about it.
As for PC users, the term "pharming" recently emerged to denote exploitation of a vulnerability in the DNS server software caused by malicious code. This code allows the cybercriminal who contaminated this PC with it to redirect traffic from one IP-address to the one he specified. In other words, a user who types in a URL goes to another web site, not the one he wanted to--and isn't supposed to notice the difference.
Usually such a website is disguised to look like a legitimate one -- of a bank or a credit card company. Sites of this kind are used solely to steal users' confidential information such as passwords, PIN numbers, SSNs and account numbers.
<b>Dangerous Scams</b>
A fake website that's what "traditional" phishing has in common with pharming. This scam can fool even an experienced computer user, and it makes pharming a grave threat. The danger here is that users don't click an email link to get to a counterfeit website.
Most people enter their personal information, unaware of possible fraud. Why should they suspect anything if they type the URL themselves, not following any links in a suspiciously-looking email?
Unfortunately, "ordinary" phishers are also getting smarter. They eagerly learn; there is too much money involved to make criminals earnest students. At first phishing consisted only of a social engineering scam in which phishers spammed consumer e-mail accounts with letters ostensibly from banks. The more people got aware of the scam, the less spelling mistakes these messages contained, and the more fraudulent websites looked like legitimate ones.
Since about November 2004 there has been a lot of publications of a scheme which at first was seen as a new kind of phishing. This technique includes contaminating a PC with a Trojan horse program. The problem is that this Trojan contains a keylogger which lurks at the background until the user of the infected PC visits one of the specified websites. Then the keylogger comes to life to do what it was created for -- to steal information.
It seems that this technique is actually a separate scam aimed at stealing personal information and such attacks are on the rise. Security vendor Symantec warns about commercialisation of malware -- cybercriminals prefer cash to fun, so various kinds of information-stealing software are used more actively.
Spy Audit survey made by ISP Earthlink and Webroot Software also shows disturbing figures - 33.17% PCs contaminated with some program with information stealing capability.
However, more sophisticated identity theft attempts coexist with "old-fashioned" phishing scams. That is why users should not forget the advice which they all are likely to have learned by heart:
<ul>
<li>Never follow a link in an email, if it claims to be from a financial institution</li>
<li>Never open an attachment if the email is from somebody you don't know </li>
<li>Protect your PC from malware </li>
<li>Stay on the alert </li>
===========================================
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Summary:
As soon as almost all computer users already got used to -- or at least heard about -- the word "phishing", another somewhat confusing word appeared. Pharming. Does it differ from phishing -- if yes, how?
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Phishing, Fraudulent and Malicious Websites
Whether we like it or not, we are all living in the Information Age. We have nothing left but adapt to rapidly developing information technology, no matter who we are and what we do for living.
The Internet, in particular, means for us boundless opportunities in life and business – but also lots of dangers unheard of just a decade ago. We should be aware of these dangers if we want to use the huge potential of the Internet and to avoid the hazards it brings us.
<b>Warning: There are Websites You'd Better Not Visit</b>
<b>Phishing websites</b>
Thanks to authors of numerous articles on this topic, "classic" phishing technique is relatively well known. This scam involves setting bogus websites and luring people to visit them, as a rule, by links in emails. Phishing website is disguised to look like a legitimate one -- of a bank or a credit card company, and users are invited to provide their identifying information. Sites of this kind are used solely to steal users' passwords, PIN numbers, SSNs and other confidential information.
At first phishing consisted only of a social engineering scam in which phishers spammed consumer e-mail accounts with letters ostensibly from banks. The more people got aware of the scam, the less spelling mistakes these messages contained, and the more these fraudulent websites resembled legitimate ones. Phishers are getting smarter. They eagerly learn; there is enough money involved here to turn criminals into earnest students.
Since about November 2004 there has been a lot of publications of a scheme which at first was seen as a new kind of phishing. This technique includes contaminating a PC with a Trojan horse program. The problem is that this Trojan contains a keylogger which lurks at the background until the user of the infected PC visits one of the specified websites. Then the keylogger comes to life to do what it was created for -- to steal information.
It seems that this technique is actually a separate scam aimed at stealing personal information and such attacks are on the rise. Security experts warn about commercialisation of malware -- cybercriminals prefer cash to fun, so various kinds of information-stealing software are used more actively.
<b>Fraudulent websites are on the rise</b>
Websense Security Labs -- a well-known authority in information security -- noticed a dramatic rise in the number of fraudulent websites as far back as in the second half of 2004. These sites pose as ones for e-commerce; they encourage users to apply for a reward or purchase something, of course never delivering the product or paying money. The most popular areas for such fraud are online pharmacies, lottery scams, and loan / mortgage sites. Experts predict there will be more fake merchants in future and their scams will become more sophisticated.
<b>Malicious websites</b> are especially dangerous. Cybercriminals create them exclusively to execute malicious code on the visitors' computers. Sometimes hackers infect legitimate sites with malicious code.
Bad news for blog readers: blogs can be contaminated, too. Since January, Websense Security Labs has discovered hundreds of these "toxic" blogs set by hackers.
When unsuspecting users visit malicious sites, various nasty applications are downloaded and executed on their computers. Unfortunately, more and more often these applications contain keyloggers--software programs for intercepting data.
Keyloggers, as it is clear from the name of the program, log keystrokes --but that's not all. They capture everything the user is doing -- keystrokes, mouse clicks, files opened and closed, sites visited. A little more sophisticated programs of this kind also capture text from windows and make screenshots (record everything displayed on the screen) – so the information is captured even if the user doesn't type anything, just opens the views the file.
In February and March 2005, Websense Security Labs researched and identified about 8-10 new keylogger variants and more than 100 malicious websites which are hosting these keyloggers EACH WEEK. From November of 2004 through December 2004 these figures were much smaller: 1-2 new keylogger variants and 10-15 new malicious websites per week. There is by all means a disturbing tendency--the number of brand-new keyloggers and malicious website is growing, and growing rapidly.
<b>What a user can do to avoid these sites?</b>
As for phishing, the best advice is not to click any links in any email, especially if it claims to be from a bank.
Opening an attachment of a spam message can also trigger the execution of malicious program, for example a keylogger-containing Trojan horse.
As for fraudulent websites, maybe buying goods only from trusted vendors will help -- even if it is a bit more expensive.
As for malicious websites… "Malicious websites that host adult entertainment and shopping content can exploit Internet Explorer vulnerabilities to run code remotely without user interaction."(a quote from Websense's report). What can a user do about it? Not much, but avoiding adult sites and buying only from known and trusted online stores will reduce the risk.
Hackers also attract traffic to malicious websites by sending a link through spam or spim (the analog of spam for instant messaging (IM). So a good advice never follow links in spam is worth remembering once more.
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Summary:
Warning: There are Websites You'd Better Not Visit.
The Internet, in particular, means for us boundless opportunities in life and business – but also lots of dangers unheard of just a decade ago. We should be aware of these dangers if we want to use the huge potential of the Internet and to avoid the hazards it brings us.
<b>Warning: There are Websites You'd Better Not Visit</b>
<b>Phishing websites</b>
Thanks to authors of numerous articles on this topic, "classic" phishing technique is relatively well known. This scam involves setting bogus websites and luring people to visit them, as a rule, by links in emails. Phishing website is disguised to look like a legitimate one -- of a bank or a credit card company, and users are invited to provide their identifying information. Sites of this kind are used solely to steal users' passwords, PIN numbers, SSNs and other confidential information.
At first phishing consisted only of a social engineering scam in which phishers spammed consumer e-mail accounts with letters ostensibly from banks. The more people got aware of the scam, the less spelling mistakes these messages contained, and the more these fraudulent websites resembled legitimate ones. Phishers are getting smarter. They eagerly learn; there is enough money involved here to turn criminals into earnest students.
Since about November 2004 there has been a lot of publications of a scheme which at first was seen as a new kind of phishing. This technique includes contaminating a PC with a Trojan horse program. The problem is that this Trojan contains a keylogger which lurks at the background until the user of the infected PC visits one of the specified websites. Then the keylogger comes to life to do what it was created for -- to steal information.
It seems that this technique is actually a separate scam aimed at stealing personal information and such attacks are on the rise. Security experts warn about commercialisation of malware -- cybercriminals prefer cash to fun, so various kinds of information-stealing software are used more actively.
<b>Fraudulent websites are on the rise</b>
Websense Security Labs -- a well-known authority in information security -- noticed a dramatic rise in the number of fraudulent websites as far back as in the second half of 2004. These sites pose as ones for e-commerce; they encourage users to apply for a reward or purchase something, of course never delivering the product or paying money. The most popular areas for such fraud are online pharmacies, lottery scams, and loan / mortgage sites. Experts predict there will be more fake merchants in future and their scams will become more sophisticated.
<b>Malicious websites</b> are especially dangerous. Cybercriminals create them exclusively to execute malicious code on the visitors' computers. Sometimes hackers infect legitimate sites with malicious code.
Bad news for blog readers: blogs can be contaminated, too. Since January, Websense Security Labs has discovered hundreds of these "toxic" blogs set by hackers.
When unsuspecting users visit malicious sites, various nasty applications are downloaded and executed on their computers. Unfortunately, more and more often these applications contain keyloggers--software programs for intercepting data.
Keyloggers, as it is clear from the name of the program, log keystrokes --but that's not all. They capture everything the user is doing -- keystrokes, mouse clicks, files opened and closed, sites visited. A little more sophisticated programs of this kind also capture text from windows and make screenshots (record everything displayed on the screen) – so the information is captured even if the user doesn't type anything, just opens the views the file.
In February and March 2005, Websense Security Labs researched and identified about 8-10 new keylogger variants and more than 100 malicious websites which are hosting these keyloggers EACH WEEK. From November of 2004 through December 2004 these figures were much smaller: 1-2 new keylogger variants and 10-15 new malicious websites per week. There is by all means a disturbing tendency--the number of brand-new keyloggers and malicious website is growing, and growing rapidly.
<b>What a user can do to avoid these sites?</b>
As for phishing, the best advice is not to click any links in any email, especially if it claims to be from a bank.
Opening an attachment of a spam message can also trigger the execution of malicious program, for example a keylogger-containing Trojan horse.
As for fraudulent websites, maybe buying goods only from trusted vendors will help -- even if it is a bit more expensive.
As for malicious websites… "Malicious websites that host adult entertainment and shopping content can exploit Internet Explorer vulnerabilities to run code remotely without user interaction."(a quote from Websense's report). What can a user do about it? Not much, but avoiding adult sites and buying only from known and trusted online stores will reduce the risk.
Hackers also attract traffic to malicious websites by sending a link through spam or spim (the analog of spam for instant messaging (IM). So a good advice never follow links in spam is worth remembering once more.
===========================================
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Summary:
Warning: There are Websites You'd Better Not Visit.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Phishing Scams, A Growing Identity Theft Menace
There is no doubt that identity theft is a growing problem and we should all try to educate ourselves to avoid being a victim of this often devastating crime. It seems that criminals are using increasingly ingenious methods to gain access to our private and valuable personal information and computer users must be aware of criminal information gathering techniques known as phishing.
You may have heard about phishing scams in the news recently because so many have fallen prey to this clever methodology employed by tech savvy criminals. We are all busy in todays fast paced world and it's hard to keep up with every new threat and development so the purpose of this article is to describe what phishing is, and how you can avoid being a victim.
Phishing attacks employ social engineering and technical subterfuge in the attempt to obtain an individual's personal identity data and financial account information. Social-engineering schemes use fraudulent e-mails which attempt to direct consumers to counterfeit websites, often perfectly replicating legitimate business sites to trick recipients into releasing financial data such as credit card numbers, account passwords, user names and social security numbers. Hijacking brand names of banks, online retailers and credit card companies, phishers regularly obtain this private data. Technical subterfuge schemes usually plant spyware and crimeware onto user computers to access personal data directly, most often utlizing Trojan keylogger spyware.
What can we do to avoid such clever deceptions? First of all just knowing that the threat exists is very important and many victims report that they had never heard of phishing before becoming a victims. In addition there are several practical precautions we can all take to minimize our exposure to risk.
1. Be wary of any email containing urgent requests for financial information suggesting your immediate response is required, statements designed to upset and excite the respondent are often included to elicit a quick reply. These emails often demand user names and passwords as well as SSN's. Legitimate businesses never ask for confidential data via email and none of this information should ever be sent by email as security is severely compromised.
2. If you question the authenticity of an email don't use the links embedded in the email to access the company webpage, instead type the URL of the company in your browser to insure you are looking at the legitimate website. You can also phone the company to insure an email request is authentic and companies today are aware of phishing threats and will generally appreciate being informed of a potential problem.
3. Financial information should only be communicated through a secure website or by telephone and never by an email request. Secure websites always have the https:// preceding the web address rather than just http:// in the browser address window.
4. Check your online accounts on a regular basis even if you have no transactions, dormant and little used accounts are common targets for online predators. Carefully review your credit card statements for unauthorized transactions and make sure your shred them if not retained for your records.
5. Make sure your browser is updated regularly with the latest security patches and you should also have an anti-spyware program installed and running at all times.
Take these necessary precautions to avoid your exposure to the identity theft problem known as phishing.
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===========================================
Summary:
There is no doubt that identity theft is a growing problem and we should all try to educate ourselves to avoid being a victim of this often devastating crime. It seems that criminals are using increasingly ingenious methods to gain access to our private and valuable personal information and computer users must be aware of criminal information gathering techniques known as phishing.
You may have heard about phishing scams in the news recently because so many have fallen pre...
You may have heard about phishing scams in the news recently because so many have fallen prey to this clever methodology employed by tech savvy criminals. We are all busy in todays fast paced world and it's hard to keep up with every new threat and development so the purpose of this article is to describe what phishing is, and how you can avoid being a victim.
Phishing attacks employ social engineering and technical subterfuge in the attempt to obtain an individual's personal identity data and financial account information. Social-engineering schemes use fraudulent e-mails which attempt to direct consumers to counterfeit websites, often perfectly replicating legitimate business sites to trick recipients into releasing financial data such as credit card numbers, account passwords, user names and social security numbers. Hijacking brand names of banks, online retailers and credit card companies, phishers regularly obtain this private data. Technical subterfuge schemes usually plant spyware and crimeware onto user computers to access personal data directly, most often utlizing Trojan keylogger spyware.
What can we do to avoid such clever deceptions? First of all just knowing that the threat exists is very important and many victims report that they had never heard of phishing before becoming a victims. In addition there are several practical precautions we can all take to minimize our exposure to risk.
1. Be wary of any email containing urgent requests for financial information suggesting your immediate response is required, statements designed to upset and excite the respondent are often included to elicit a quick reply. These emails often demand user names and passwords as well as SSN's. Legitimate businesses never ask for confidential data via email and none of this information should ever be sent by email as security is severely compromised.
2. If you question the authenticity of an email don't use the links embedded in the email to access the company webpage, instead type the URL of the company in your browser to insure you are looking at the legitimate website. You can also phone the company to insure an email request is authentic and companies today are aware of phishing threats and will generally appreciate being informed of a potential problem.
3. Financial information should only be communicated through a secure website or by telephone and never by an email request. Secure websites always have the https:// preceding the web address rather than just http:// in the browser address window.
4. Check your online accounts on a regular basis even if you have no transactions, dormant and little used accounts are common targets for online predators. Carefully review your credit card statements for unauthorized transactions and make sure your shred them if not retained for your records.
5. Make sure your browser is updated regularly with the latest security patches and you should also have an anti-spyware program installed and running at all times.
Take these necessary precautions to avoid your exposure to the identity theft problem known as phishing.
===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
There is no doubt that identity theft is a growing problem and we should all try to educate ourselves to avoid being a victim of this often devastating crime. It seems that criminals are using increasingly ingenious methods to gain access to our private and valuable personal information and computer users must be aware of criminal information gathering techniques known as phishing.
You may have heard about phishing scams in the news recently because so many have fallen pre...
Monday, April 21, 2014
Identity Theft's Young Victims: How to Protect Your Children's Identities
When we think of identity theft, children are probably not the first victims we might imagine. Unfortunately, more and more kids are being targeted for this crime, and the culprits may not be who you think. Right now, approximately 4% of all identity theft cases involve children, which means roughly 400,000 kids a year are having their futures ruined without their knowledge. 1
In an article on MSNBC.com, a 24-year old man explained that by the age of 10, his identity had been used to accumulate almost $250,000 in debt and to commit a felony. Another victim, a 9-year old boy, received a collection notice for a $2,000 debt.
Unlike most identity theft victims, however, these two individuals know exactly who was responsible for committing this crime: their fathers. According to the article, almost two-thirds of all child-related identity theft cases are committed by family members.
A child becomes a victim, in most cases, because someone else uses their social security number and name to open a credit card or to have utilities turned on. While the information can be used in other ways, those are two of the most common. And, because children aren't interested in their credit history until they turn 18 or older, most never even realize the crime has been committed until years after the theft started.
There are some ways to protect your child against potential identity theft:
Keep their social security number locked up in a secure location – If criminals don't have access to your child's social security number, they can't steal it. Never carry their card in your purse or wallet where it could easily be lost or stolen. Never share the number with another family member or anyone else who does not have a professional need to know.
Ask to not have their SSN listed on insurance cards – Many insurance companies list social security numbers on their cards. If yours does, then contact them and ask to use a different number.
Do not allow your child to know his or her SSN until its necessary – Young children have no reason to know their social security numbers or to have access to their SSN card. Keep those documents safe and private until your child needs them. Children are often tempted to reveal more than they should to friends, family members, even strangers.
Check their credit report – While a yearly check of their report may not be necessary unless you suspect a problem, it's a good idea to periodically check your child's credit reports for activity. Your child shouldn't have anything listed at all, but if anything does show up contact the credit bureau and the listed creditors immediately.
Additionally, if you are a parent you should NEVER use your child's social security number fraudulently. Not only are you committing a crime, but you are also making your child's life more difficult. Furthermore, if you know or suspect that someone is wrongly using their child's personal information, then you should contact the authorities. Don't sit idly by while they ruin that child's future.
If you want more information on preventing, detecting, or rectifying identity theft problems for children and adults, then you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.pcsecuritynews.com/identity_theft.html
1. Novotny, Monica. “Robbing the Cradle.” Countdown with Keith Olberman. MSNBC.com
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===========================================
Summary:
Did you know that someone could be using your child's identity? Read on to learn how to protect it and keep it from happening.
In an article on MSNBC.com, a 24-year old man explained that by the age of 10, his identity had been used to accumulate almost $250,000 in debt and to commit a felony. Another victim, a 9-year old boy, received a collection notice for a $2,000 debt.
Unlike most identity theft victims, however, these two individuals know exactly who was responsible for committing this crime: their fathers. According to the article, almost two-thirds of all child-related identity theft cases are committed by family members.
A child becomes a victim, in most cases, because someone else uses their social security number and name to open a credit card or to have utilities turned on. While the information can be used in other ways, those are two of the most common. And, because children aren't interested in their credit history until they turn 18 or older, most never even realize the crime has been committed until years after the theft started.
There are some ways to protect your child against potential identity theft:
Keep their social security number locked up in a secure location – If criminals don't have access to your child's social security number, they can't steal it. Never carry their card in your purse or wallet where it could easily be lost or stolen. Never share the number with another family member or anyone else who does not have a professional need to know.
Ask to not have their SSN listed on insurance cards – Many insurance companies list social security numbers on their cards. If yours does, then contact them and ask to use a different number.
Do not allow your child to know his or her SSN until its necessary – Young children have no reason to know their social security numbers or to have access to their SSN card. Keep those documents safe and private until your child needs them. Children are often tempted to reveal more than they should to friends, family members, even strangers.
Check their credit report – While a yearly check of their report may not be necessary unless you suspect a problem, it's a good idea to periodically check your child's credit reports for activity. Your child shouldn't have anything listed at all, but if anything does show up contact the credit bureau and the listed creditors immediately.
Additionally, if you are a parent you should NEVER use your child's social security number fraudulently. Not only are you committing a crime, but you are also making your child's life more difficult. Furthermore, if you know or suspect that someone is wrongly using their child's personal information, then you should contact the authorities. Don't sit idly by while they ruin that child's future.
If you want more information on preventing, detecting, or rectifying identity theft problems for children and adults, then you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.pcsecuritynews.com/identity_theft.html
1. Novotny, Monica. “Robbing the Cradle.” Countdown with Keith Olberman. MSNBC.com
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===========================================
Summary:
Did you know that someone could be using your child's identity? Read on to learn how to protect it and keep it from happening.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Identity Theft – Who is phishing for your information?
There’s a new type of internet piracy called phishing (pronounced fishing). Internet thieves are fishing for your personal information. They’re looking for ways to trick you into giving out your Social Security Number, credit card number and other personal information that they can use to their advantage. You could become a victim of identity theft that could take years to clear your financial history and personal reputation. But understanding how these internet thieves work, will help you to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
How do these thieves get your information?
Typically, you might receive an email from a company that you are familiar with that looks real. It has the company logo, they may call you by name, and the tone of the email is that they are looking out for your best interests. This email will warn you of some imminent danger to your account or credit card and that you need to take action immediately or you will suffer dire consequences. There will be a link (underlined writing usually in blue) for you to click on that will take you to their website. And guess what? The website they take you to will look like the real thing with the company logo and all.
Next, you will be asked to verify your account, password, or credit card information. If you ever find yourself here, STOP! Do nothing. Do not fill in any personal information. Immediately exit from this website and delete the phony email that you received.
How to know that this is a phishing email.
If you did not email this company asking for information about your account or for help with a problem, be suspicious. If you are still not sure because it looks so real, call the company yourself and ask. You can find these phone numbers on your monthly statement. If it is after hours and no one is there to take your call, wait until the next day when you can reach someone. Don’t fall for the imminent danger message and feel that you have to take action immediately. Phishers are hoping that you will take immediate action – don’t panic and let them trick you into clicking on their link.
What can you do?
Never give someone your password over the internet or phone when it is an unsolicited request. Your credit card company knows what your password and credit card number is. They don’t need to ask you for it.
Likewise, your bank knows what your account number and social security number, they won’t ask you to repeat it verbally over the phone.
Review all of your monthly statements every month as soon as they arrive. Check for charges that you never made. If your statement is ever late in arriving in the mail, call and ask why. Protect yourself from these would-be thieves. Don’t let them take your identity! Please remember to Bookmark www.wheatgrass-fountain-of-youth.info now! Thanks for visiting.
Brought to you by http://www.PrePaid-Legal-Help-4U.com where you have complete legal protection 24/7 for less than $1 a day!
===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
There’s a new type of internet piracy called phishing (pronounced fishing). Internet thieves are ‘fishing’ for your personal information. They’re looking for ways to trick you into giving out your Social Security Number, credit card number and other personal information that they can use to their advantage. But understanding how these internet thieves work, will help you to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
How do these thieves get your information?
Typically, you might receive an email from a company that you are familiar with that looks real. It has the company logo, they may call you by name, and the tone of the email is that they are looking out for your best interests. This email will warn you of some imminent danger to your account or credit card and that you need to take action immediately or you will suffer dire consequences. There will be a link (underlined writing usually in blue) for you to click on that will take you to their website. And guess what? The website they take you to will look like the real thing with the company logo and all.
Next, you will be asked to verify your account, password, or credit card information. If you ever find yourself here, STOP! Do nothing. Do not fill in any personal information. Immediately exit from this website and delete the phony email that you received.
How to know that this is a phishing email.
If you did not email this company asking for information about your account or for help with a problem, be suspicious. If you are still not sure because it looks so real, call the company yourself and ask. You can find these phone numbers on your monthly statement. If it is after hours and no one is there to take your call, wait until the next day when you can reach someone. Don’t fall for the imminent danger message and feel that you have to take action immediately. Phishers are hoping that you will take immediate action – don’t panic and let them trick you into clicking on their link.
What can you do?
Never give someone your password over the internet or phone when it is an unsolicited request. Your credit card company knows what your password and credit card number is. They don’t need to ask you for it.
Likewise, your bank knows what your account number and social security number, they won’t ask you to repeat it verbally over the phone.
Review all of your monthly statements every month as soon as they arrive. Check for charges that you never made. If your statement is ever late in arriving in the mail, call and ask why. Protect yourself from these would-be thieves. Don’t let them take your identity! Please remember to Bookmark www.wheatgrass-fountain-of-youth.info now! Thanks for visiting.
Brought to you by http://www.PrePaid-Legal-Help-4U.com where you have complete legal protection 24/7 for less than $1 a day!
===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
There’s a new type of internet piracy called phishing (pronounced fishing). Internet thieves are ‘fishing’ for your personal information. They’re looking for ways to trick you into giving out your Social Security Number, credit card number and other personal information that they can use to their advantage. But understanding how these internet thieves work, will help you to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Identity Theft – Who is ‘phishing’ for your information?
There’s a new type of internet piracy called ‘phishing’ (pronounced ‘fishing’). Internet thieves are ‘fishing’ for your personal information. They’re looking for ways to trick you into giving out your Social Security Number, credit card number and other personal information that they can use to their advantage. You could become a victim of identity theft that could take years to clear your financial history and personal reputation. But understanding how these internet thieves work, will help you to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
How do these thieves get your information?
Typically, you might receive an email from a company that you are familiar with that looks ‘real’. It has the company logo, they may call you by name, and the tone of the email is that they are looking out for your best interests. This email will warn you of some imminent danger to your account or credit card and that you need to take action immediately or you will suffer dire consequences. There will be a link (underlined writing usually in blue) for you to click on that will take you to their website. And guess what? The website they take you to will look like the real thing with the company logo and all.
Next, you will be asked to ‘verify’ your account, password, or credit card information. If you ever find yourself here, STOP! Do nothing. Do not fill in any personal information. Immediately exit from this website and delete the phony email that you received.
How to know that this is a ‘phishing’ email.
If you did not email this company asking for information about your account or for help with a problem, be suspicious. If you are still not sure because it looks so ‘real’, call the company yourself and ask. You can find these phone numbers on your monthly statement. If it is after hours and no one is there to take your call, wait until the next day when you can reach someone. Don’t fall for the ‘imminent danger’ message and feel that you have to take action immediately. ‘Phishers’ are hoping that you will take immediate action – don’t panic and let them trick you into clicking on their link.
What can you do?
Never give someone your password over the internet or phone when it is an unsolicited request. Your credit card company knows what your password and credit card number is. They don’t need to ask you for it.
Likewise, your bank knows what your account number and social security number, they won’t ask you to repeat it verbally over the phone.
Review all of your monthly statements every month as soon as they arrive. Check for charges that you never made. If your statement is ever late in arriving in the mail, call and ask why. Protect yourself from these would-be thieves. Don’t let them take your identity! Please remember to Bookmark www.wheatgrass-fountain-of-youth.info now! Thanks for visiting.
Brought to you by http://www.PrePaid-Legal-Help-4U.com where you have complete legal protection 24/7 for less than $1 a day!
===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
There’s a new type of internet piracy called ‘phishing’ (pronounced ‘fishing’). Internet thieves are ‘fishing’ for your personal information. They’re looking for ways to trick you into giving out your Social Security Number, credit card number and other personal information that they can use to their advantage. You could become a victim of identity theft that could take years to clear your financial history and personal reputation. But understanding how these internet thieves work, will help you
How do these thieves get your information?
Typically, you might receive an email from a company that you are familiar with that looks ‘real’. It has the company logo, they may call you by name, and the tone of the email is that they are looking out for your best interests. This email will warn you of some imminent danger to your account or credit card and that you need to take action immediately or you will suffer dire consequences. There will be a link (underlined writing usually in blue) for you to click on that will take you to their website. And guess what? The website they take you to will look like the real thing with the company logo and all.
Next, you will be asked to ‘verify’ your account, password, or credit card information. If you ever find yourself here, STOP! Do nothing. Do not fill in any personal information. Immediately exit from this website and delete the phony email that you received.
How to know that this is a ‘phishing’ email.
If you did not email this company asking for information about your account or for help with a problem, be suspicious. If you are still not sure because it looks so ‘real’, call the company yourself and ask. You can find these phone numbers on your monthly statement. If it is after hours and no one is there to take your call, wait until the next day when you can reach someone. Don’t fall for the ‘imminent danger’ message and feel that you have to take action immediately. ‘Phishers’ are hoping that you will take immediate action – don’t panic and let them trick you into clicking on their link.
What can you do?
Never give someone your password over the internet or phone when it is an unsolicited request. Your credit card company knows what your password and credit card number is. They don’t need to ask you for it.
Likewise, your bank knows what your account number and social security number, they won’t ask you to repeat it verbally over the phone.
Review all of your monthly statements every month as soon as they arrive. Check for charges that you never made. If your statement is ever late in arriving in the mail, call and ask why. Protect yourself from these would-be thieves. Don’t let them take your identity! Please remember to Bookmark www.wheatgrass-fountain-of-youth.info now! Thanks for visiting.
Brought to you by http://www.PrePaid-Legal-Help-4U.com where you have complete legal protection 24/7 for less than $1 a day!
===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
There’s a new type of internet piracy called ‘phishing’ (pronounced ‘fishing’). Internet thieves are ‘fishing’ for your personal information. They’re looking for ways to trick you into giving out your Social Security Number, credit card number and other personal information that they can use to their advantage. You could become a victim of identity theft that could take years to clear your financial history and personal reputation. But understanding how these internet thieves work, will help you
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Identity Theft: Stop It Now!
You may be a victim of identity theft and not even know it. Thieves may have secured important information about you and are using it without you knowing what they are doing. By the time you discover their nasty deeds, much damage may have already been done. While you may not be held responsible for their antics, the aggravation and recurring pain you will go through in restoring your good name can be intense. Let’s take a look at some ways you can stop identity theft now.
<b>Protect your social security number.</b> There are very few people in life who really need to know your social security number. Besides government entities and certain creditors, no one should be asking you for that information. If they do, politely refuse or instruct them to mail their request to you in writing.
<b>Block telemarketers.</b> Make certain that your phone number is registered on “do not call” registries to keep telemarketers at bay. You control your phone; get <i>caller i.d.</i> to avoid those who slip through the loopholes in the law.
<b>Chop it up.</b> Important documents you no longer need <i>should not</i> be tossed in the trash without going through a shredder first. Purchase a unit that shreds your paper into small diamonds to ensure that no thief will piece back together important information and make you an easy victim of identity theft.
<b>Examine your monthly statements.</b> With consumers charging just about anything including their gas, food, store, and online purchases, it can be easy to skim through monthly credit card statements without paying attention to every line. Crafty thieves are hoping that you will do just that! Examine each line and respond to anything that doesn’t look legitimate. If you have a dispute, follow the instructions from your credit card supplier on how to contest something that is not right. Usually, in order to maintain your rights, you have to register your dispute in writing.
<b>Guard your mail.</b> Having a mailbox on the street is an easy way for thieves to drive up, take your mail, and cruise away. In some neighborhoods, it is simply better to use a secured post office box than to risk thieves riding off with your mail. If you suspect that someone has stolen your mail, notify your local postmaster. The United States Postal Service has a crack team of investigators who are heavily involved in battling identity theft through mail fraud.
<b>Shield your computer.</b> By running the most current internet security programs, regularly updating your various passwords, and only buying goods through a secure site [which are those with an “s” in their web address: https], you can limit the opportunities for thieves to steal your information.
<b>Order your free credit reports.</b> Beginning in September 2005, the 3 major credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union – are now required to allow consumers to receive one free copy of their personal credit report every year. Some consumers, in order to stay on top of their credit history, order a copy every 4 months from a different agency. Examine your credit reports closely and take the necessary steps to amend all errors.
If you know that you are a victim of identity theft, notify your local police department and file a report with them. In addition, contact all 3 credit reporting agencies and ask that a “fraud alert” be placed in your credit file.
You must take aggressive action to counter this widespread problem and to ensure that your good name and credit record are properly restored. Fight back: you can win the identity theft battle!
===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
Protect your credit rating and your good name by guarding against identity theft. By being proactive, you can ensure that thieves stay away from important personal information that they want to use against you!
<b>Protect your social security number.</b> There are very few people in life who really need to know your social security number. Besides government entities and certain creditors, no one should be asking you for that information. If they do, politely refuse or instruct them to mail their request to you in writing.
<b>Block telemarketers.</b> Make certain that your phone number is registered on “do not call” registries to keep telemarketers at bay. You control your phone; get <i>caller i.d.</i> to avoid those who slip through the loopholes in the law.
<b>Chop it up.</b> Important documents you no longer need <i>should not</i> be tossed in the trash without going through a shredder first. Purchase a unit that shreds your paper into small diamonds to ensure that no thief will piece back together important information and make you an easy victim of identity theft.
<b>Examine your monthly statements.</b> With consumers charging just about anything including their gas, food, store, and online purchases, it can be easy to skim through monthly credit card statements without paying attention to every line. Crafty thieves are hoping that you will do just that! Examine each line and respond to anything that doesn’t look legitimate. If you have a dispute, follow the instructions from your credit card supplier on how to contest something that is not right. Usually, in order to maintain your rights, you have to register your dispute in writing.
<b>Guard your mail.</b> Having a mailbox on the street is an easy way for thieves to drive up, take your mail, and cruise away. In some neighborhoods, it is simply better to use a secured post office box than to risk thieves riding off with your mail. If you suspect that someone has stolen your mail, notify your local postmaster. The United States Postal Service has a crack team of investigators who are heavily involved in battling identity theft through mail fraud.
<b>Shield your computer.</b> By running the most current internet security programs, regularly updating your various passwords, and only buying goods through a secure site [which are those with an “s” in their web address: https], you can limit the opportunities for thieves to steal your information.
<b>Order your free credit reports.</b> Beginning in September 2005, the 3 major credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union – are now required to allow consumers to receive one free copy of their personal credit report every year. Some consumers, in order to stay on top of their credit history, order a copy every 4 months from a different agency. Examine your credit reports closely and take the necessary steps to amend all errors.
If you know that you are a victim of identity theft, notify your local police department and file a report with them. In addition, contact all 3 credit reporting agencies and ask that a “fraud alert” be placed in your credit file.
You must take aggressive action to counter this widespread problem and to ensure that your good name and credit record are properly restored. Fight back: you can win the identity theft battle!
===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
Protect your credit rating and your good name by guarding against identity theft. By being proactive, you can ensure that thieves stay away from important personal information that they want to use against you!
Identity Theft - IRS Warns Public about Email Scams
The IRS has been the subject of an email scam campaign. They are informing the public to be on the lookout for email indicating they are coming from the Agency. Since the IRS does not send unsolicited emails asking for your personal information, you must assume these emails are written to trick you into giving out financial and personal information you should not be disclosing to the public.
The IRS has noticed an increase in the number of scams. Since November 99 scams have been identified. During the tax filing season, forty were identified. In June an additional twenty surfaced. Many are originating outside of the United States. Some of the countries are Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, China, England, Japan, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Singapore and Slovakia. Some have come from the United States.
The IRS will not send you an email requesting personal information of any kind. They won’t try to trick you into disclosing bank account numbers, pin numbers, or credit card information. Since this information can be used for identity theft, you must be aware of everything you do on and offline.
If you give out your personal information, it can then be used to steal your identity and perhaps your financial assets. The IRS has established an email box for you to send suspicious email you receive which appears to have come from the IRS. The email address is : phising@irs.gov. The IRS will investigate your email to determine if it fits into the scam category.
If you experience Identity Theft, the Federal Trade Commission has a consumer web site at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/index.html. As in all aspects of life, do your due diligence before providing personal information to anyone you do not know.
===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
Identity Theft is prevalent. The IRS will not contact you requesting personal or financial information.
The IRS has noticed an increase in the number of scams. Since November 99 scams have been identified. During the tax filing season, forty were identified. In June an additional twenty surfaced. Many are originating outside of the United States. Some of the countries are Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, China, England, Japan, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Singapore and Slovakia. Some have come from the United States.
The IRS will not send you an email requesting personal information of any kind. They won’t try to trick you into disclosing bank account numbers, pin numbers, or credit card information. Since this information can be used for identity theft, you must be aware of everything you do on and offline.
If you give out your personal information, it can then be used to steal your identity and perhaps your financial assets. The IRS has established an email box for you to send suspicious email you receive which appears to have come from the IRS. The email address is : phising@irs.gov. The IRS will investigate your email to determine if it fits into the scam category.
If you experience Identity Theft, the Federal Trade Commission has a consumer web site at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/index.html. As in all aspects of life, do your due diligence before providing personal information to anyone you do not know.
===========================================
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Summary:
Identity Theft is prevalent. The IRS will not contact you requesting personal or financial information.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
How to Check Your Credit Report for Evidence of Identity Theft
Imagine finding the home of your dreams. It's the perfect location, the perfect style, even the perfect price. Excitedly, you start the loan application process. You know this part of the process will be easy since you've always paid your bills on time and only have one credit card which you pay off every month in full. To your surprise, however, your application is refused because multiple credit cards have been taken out in your name, maxed out, and never paid. Your credit is ruined, and your dream home will never be a reality thanks to an identity thief.
This scenario may be hypothetical, but similar situations happen to people all over the country daily. Many people are victims of identity theft and don't even realize it until they need to use their credit for something, such as buying a car or a home. However, it doesn't have to be that way. If you check your credit reports yearly, you can make sure that no unauthorized activities are ruining your credit.
Now that you can receive a copy of your credit report free, the only possible excuse for not monitoring it is that you can't understand how to read it and that's what we're going to discuss now.
The credit report is divided into four parts. The first part contains your personal information, such as name, social security number, and employer. You may want to check over this part for mistakes, but if you're interested in catching identity theft activity you won't find the evidence here.
Instead, one of your focuses should be on the second part of the report. This is your credit history, which includes a list of all your creditors. For each account, you'll find the date the account opened, the type of account it is, the amount the account was originally for, the amount still owed, the amount of the payments, the status of the account, and your payment history. Go over each entry in this section of your report carefully. If you find any accounts which you do not remember opening, make note of them. If any information, such as amount owed, on the accounts does not match your expectations, then make a note of that also.
Once you've reviewed the credit history portion, you'll find the public records section. Again, this probably won't be of much use to you if you're tracking down identity theft evidence because it includes liens, bankruptcies, etc. However, do make sure the information in this section is accurate. Some lenders believe that almost 80% of all credit reports do contain some types of errors and since this section is important you want it to be accurate.
The last section – the Inquiry section – should also be evaluated carefully. You see, each time you or a potential creditor checks your credit report, a note of that inquiry is made in this section. Victims of identity theft are likely to see a number of inquiries, which he or she cannot account for. Now do keep in mind that there are two types of inquiries reported in this section. The “soft” inquiries, as they are called, refer to inquiries made by potential creditors that you did not request. For example, a credit card company may check your credit history before sending you an offer for a gold card. The “hard” inquiries are the ones you need to be interested in because these are the inquires that you supposedly requested. If there's anything on that report you don't agree with, then make a note of it.
Once you have checked your report, contact the credit bureau and the creditors about any mistakes or discrepancies you notice. If you think you've been a victim of identity theft and need to know what steps to take next or if you want more suggestions on how not to become a victim, you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.PCSecurityNews.com.
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Summary:
How often do you review your credit report? Inside this article you will learn exactly how often you should be checking it and what to look for to recognize evidence of Identity Theft.
This scenario may be hypothetical, but similar situations happen to people all over the country daily. Many people are victims of identity theft and don't even realize it until they need to use their credit for something, such as buying a car or a home. However, it doesn't have to be that way. If you check your credit reports yearly, you can make sure that no unauthorized activities are ruining your credit.
Now that you can receive a copy of your credit report free, the only possible excuse for not monitoring it is that you can't understand how to read it and that's what we're going to discuss now.
The credit report is divided into four parts. The first part contains your personal information, such as name, social security number, and employer. You may want to check over this part for mistakes, but if you're interested in catching identity theft activity you won't find the evidence here.
Instead, one of your focuses should be on the second part of the report. This is your credit history, which includes a list of all your creditors. For each account, you'll find the date the account opened, the type of account it is, the amount the account was originally for, the amount still owed, the amount of the payments, the status of the account, and your payment history. Go over each entry in this section of your report carefully. If you find any accounts which you do not remember opening, make note of them. If any information, such as amount owed, on the accounts does not match your expectations, then make a note of that also.
Once you've reviewed the credit history portion, you'll find the public records section. Again, this probably won't be of much use to you if you're tracking down identity theft evidence because it includes liens, bankruptcies, etc. However, do make sure the information in this section is accurate. Some lenders believe that almost 80% of all credit reports do contain some types of errors and since this section is important you want it to be accurate.
The last section – the Inquiry section – should also be evaluated carefully. You see, each time you or a potential creditor checks your credit report, a note of that inquiry is made in this section. Victims of identity theft are likely to see a number of inquiries, which he or she cannot account for. Now do keep in mind that there are two types of inquiries reported in this section. The “soft” inquiries, as they are called, refer to inquiries made by potential creditors that you did not request. For example, a credit card company may check your credit history before sending you an offer for a gold card. The “hard” inquiries are the ones you need to be interested in because these are the inquires that you supposedly requested. If there's anything on that report you don't agree with, then make a note of it.
Once you have checked your report, contact the credit bureau and the creditors about any mistakes or discrepancies you notice. If you think you've been a victim of identity theft and need to know what steps to take next or if you want more suggestions on how not to become a victim, you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.PCSecurityNews.com.
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Summary:
How often do you review your credit report? Inside this article you will learn exactly how often you should be checking it and what to look for to recognize evidence of Identity Theft.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
How To Avoid Getting Into Identity Theft Trouble
The credit card industry seems to be growing at an unprecedented rate. According to some statistical reports, the average American household has at least one credit card. In fact, from the total respondents in the survey, 81% of the households have at least one credit card.
This goes to show that more and more people are enticed to get their own credit card. The reasons for doing so are based on the fact that credit cards offer extreme cashless shopping convenience. Hence, everybody seems to be motivated to get at least one credit card.
However, the travails of the credit card industry do not end here. This is because the reality that evolves on the credit cards does not just depend on the way people use credit cards but with the way on how they use it and protect themselves.
What people do not realize is that the manner on how they use their credit cards can greatly affect the way they live. For instance, frauds and fraudulent activities are very prevalent in the industry and the best targets of the culprits are those who use credit cards whenever they are into shopping.
People should take note that one of the most prevalent credit card scams in the society today is the identity theft. In fact, it has been reported by the FBI that almost 350,000 up to 500,000 cases of identity theft are known to exist in the U.S. every single year.
Basically, identity theft is when some unscrupulous people try to get some information from you such as your social security number and other pertinent personal and financial data.
These sets of information are used deceitfully by these people for their own benefits. Hence, the poor victim does not realize that his identity was stolen and that his financial future is doomed.
For this reason, it is important to know how to avoid getting into trouble. Here is how:
1. Protect your personal data and any financial information
Never entertain phone calls that require you to give any personal data or information, even if the caller says he is from the bank that issued your credit card and that the information gathering is just some sort of verifications.
If this is the case, try to inform him that you wish to do the transactions personally. Hence, it is important to very if the caller is, indeed, a representative of the bank.
2. Avoid freebies and offers that involve credit cards
If you were offered with some promotions requiring you to give some personal information, then, it would be better not to entertain the promo at all.
Things like these will only entice you to try it. In the end, it is too late to realize that you have just been a victim of an identity theft.
3. Have a regular check up on your credit standing and bills
Most of credit card holders are so lazy to do regular check ups on their status. If you do this, it will be easier for you to detect any probable identity theft case on your part. Credit reports can definitely tell you if there were purchases that you know that you did not make.
4. Do not carry them around
The problem with most people is that they ten to carry their cards wherever they are. This is a bad habit that should be stopped. You will never know what will happen while you are in a public place, where identity theft could just be lurking around, waiting for its next victim.
The bottom line is that credit card users should be responsible enough not to allow these fraudulent activities to happen. Keep in mind that the reason why these kinds of frauds exist is that there are people who are unconsciously victimized every now and then.
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===========================================
Summary:
The credit card industry seems to be growing at an unprecedented rate. According to some statistical reports, the average American household has at least one credit card. In fact, from the total respondents in the survey, 81% of the households have at least one credit card.
This goes to show that more and more people are enticed to get their own credit card. The reasons for doing so are based on the fact that credit cards offer extreme cashless shopping convenience. Hence,...
This goes to show that more and more people are enticed to get their own credit card. The reasons for doing so are based on the fact that credit cards offer extreme cashless shopping convenience. Hence, everybody seems to be motivated to get at least one credit card.
However, the travails of the credit card industry do not end here. This is because the reality that evolves on the credit cards does not just depend on the way people use credit cards but with the way on how they use it and protect themselves.
What people do not realize is that the manner on how they use their credit cards can greatly affect the way they live. For instance, frauds and fraudulent activities are very prevalent in the industry and the best targets of the culprits are those who use credit cards whenever they are into shopping.
People should take note that one of the most prevalent credit card scams in the society today is the identity theft. In fact, it has been reported by the FBI that almost 350,000 up to 500,000 cases of identity theft are known to exist in the U.S. every single year.
Basically, identity theft is when some unscrupulous people try to get some information from you such as your social security number and other pertinent personal and financial data.
These sets of information are used deceitfully by these people for their own benefits. Hence, the poor victim does not realize that his identity was stolen and that his financial future is doomed.
For this reason, it is important to know how to avoid getting into trouble. Here is how:
1. Protect your personal data and any financial information
Never entertain phone calls that require you to give any personal data or information, even if the caller says he is from the bank that issued your credit card and that the information gathering is just some sort of verifications.
If this is the case, try to inform him that you wish to do the transactions personally. Hence, it is important to very if the caller is, indeed, a representative of the bank.
2. Avoid freebies and offers that involve credit cards
If you were offered with some promotions requiring you to give some personal information, then, it would be better not to entertain the promo at all.
Things like these will only entice you to try it. In the end, it is too late to realize that you have just been a victim of an identity theft.
3. Have a regular check up on your credit standing and bills
Most of credit card holders are so lazy to do regular check ups on their status. If you do this, it will be easier for you to detect any probable identity theft case on your part. Credit reports can definitely tell you if there were purchases that you know that you did not make.
4. Do not carry them around
The problem with most people is that they ten to carry their cards wherever they are. This is a bad habit that should be stopped. You will never know what will happen while you are in a public place, where identity theft could just be lurking around, waiting for its next victim.
The bottom line is that credit card users should be responsible enough not to allow these fraudulent activities to happen. Keep in mind that the reason why these kinds of frauds exist is that there are people who are unconsciously victimized every now and then.
===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
The credit card industry seems to be growing at an unprecedented rate. According to some statistical reports, the average American household has at least one credit card. In fact, from the total respondents in the survey, 81% of the households have at least one credit card.
This goes to show that more and more people are enticed to get their own credit card. The reasons for doing so are based on the fact that credit cards offer extreme cashless shopping convenience. Hence,...
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Don't Get Caught by a Phishing Scheme
You receive an email from your bank warning you that your account information needs to be updated urgently or else it will be suspended. In a panic, you click on the link in the email and are brought to your bank's web site. Without giving it a second thought, you enter your user name and password to access your account online. In that moment, you have just handed an unknown criminal the keys to your banking account. You've been the victim of a phishing1 scheme.
Phishing has become one of the most common methods of electronically stealing people's identities. During the period between May 2004 and May 2005, over 1.2 million individuals were victims of these attacks and have lost approximately $929 million. Clearly, phishing is a big problem, but the question is how can you protect yourself from being reeled in?
One way is to increase your suspicion. The emails and web sites used in these phishing schemes are often remarkably accurate in appearance and tone to the real thing. That can make it difficult for you to recognize a fraud. However, there are a couple of things that can alert you to danger.
First, check how the email is addressed. Does it say “Dear Paypal Customer” or does it include your name? Legitimate emails from these companies will use your name in the salutation. If the email begins with a generic salutation that could have been sent to anyone, then you should think twice before following any links in the email.
Second, consider what the email is saying. Phishing schemes frequently use scare tactics, such as telling you that your account is being suspended, to make you act quickly and without thinking. Don't fall into their trap! If you receive an email stating that some problem exists with your account, contact the organization by email or, preferably, by phone to check the status for yourself.
Finally, never click on a link in the email. These links will redirect you to the attackers' web site. Instead, go to the organization's web site on your own. For example, if you received an email supposedly from Ebay about your account, you would type www.ebay.com into your browser instead of using the link. That way you can check the status of your account safely because you'll know you are at the right location.
Of course, phishing is only one method of stealing your identity. If you want to learn how to protect yourself from phishing and other methods or if you've been a victim of identity theft and need to know what steps to take now, you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.PCSecurityNews.com.
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===========================================
Summary:
Do you know what phishing is? Do you know how to prevent it from happening to you? Explore this article on how to identify a phishing scheme and how to protect yourself.
Phishing has become one of the most common methods of electronically stealing people's identities. During the period between May 2004 and May 2005, over 1.2 million individuals were victims of these attacks and have lost approximately $929 million. Clearly, phishing is a big problem, but the question is how can you protect yourself from being reeled in?
One way is to increase your suspicion. The emails and web sites used in these phishing schemes are often remarkably accurate in appearance and tone to the real thing. That can make it difficult for you to recognize a fraud. However, there are a couple of things that can alert you to danger.
First, check how the email is addressed. Does it say “Dear Paypal Customer” or does it include your name? Legitimate emails from these companies will use your name in the salutation. If the email begins with a generic salutation that could have been sent to anyone, then you should think twice before following any links in the email.
Second, consider what the email is saying. Phishing schemes frequently use scare tactics, such as telling you that your account is being suspended, to make you act quickly and without thinking. Don't fall into their trap! If you receive an email stating that some problem exists with your account, contact the organization by email or, preferably, by phone to check the status for yourself.
Finally, never click on a link in the email. These links will redirect you to the attackers' web site. Instead, go to the organization's web site on your own. For example, if you received an email supposedly from Ebay about your account, you would type www.ebay.com into your browser instead of using the link. That way you can check the status of your account safely because you'll know you are at the right location.
Of course, phishing is only one method of stealing your identity. If you want to learn how to protect yourself from phishing and other methods or if you've been a victim of identity theft and need to know what steps to take now, you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.PCSecurityNews.com.
===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
Do you know what phishing is? Do you know how to prevent it from happening to you? Explore this article on how to identify a phishing scheme and how to protect yourself.
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