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Security Information |
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The Risk Of Electronic Fraud & Identity Theft
Electronic Fraud and Identity Theft It's The Little Things We Tend To Overlook Making Assumptions vs. Staying Vigilant The purpose of this article is to share with you my thoughts and position on some of the basic things you can do to protect yourself from several types of threats. Particularly those that involve electronic fraud and Internet fraud. Although some of these items are not directly related to the Internet, the moment someone has your private or financial information (identity theft), the Internet will be one of the first places they visit. (Protect Yourself Against Electronic Fraud) Automated Teller Machines (ATM) & Skimmers Links Did you know the cost to a bank or ATM vendor is minimal if their machine is compromised, but to you it may be severe? The company that owns the ATM only has to worry about the cost to replace the machine, plus the amount of money inside. You, on the other hand, stand to loose not only your bank account funds, but possibly your identity. Phishing and Web Site Redirection If you receive an e-mail from your bank, credit card company, or other online merchant like, Ebay.com or Amazon.com, requesting information such as passwords and financial info, delete it and report it immediately. Many of these e-mails link you to web sites that look exactly like that of the real company but are in fact fakes. Take a look at Ebay's Online Security and Protection section to get an idea of what you need to do in order to identify scams like these. Links If you receive an e-mail from someone promising you millions of dollars if you assist them with their finances, delete it immediately!. Some of these scams have been running for years and new ones surface frequently. I recently saw one supposedly from the wife of the late Yasser Arafat, promising millions of dollars if someone would help her establish a trust fund in the US. The reasons these types of e-mail scams are so wide spread is because they are highly effective and relatively easy to do. Thousands of people get ripped off by these scams every day. To see examples of several recent scams, take a look at the following Phishing Scams page. Links Another good source of information on these types of scams can be found at the State of NY Banking Department. Links Credit Card Fraud When paying for something, particularly at a restaurant, check to see if the full or partial credit card number is on the merchant receipt. In most cases, only the partial number is visible. However, when the full number is there, I cross out all but the last four digits with a pen. The merchant has already scanned the card at this point, they should not need a paper backup of the number. If your credit card is stolen, lost, or used fraudulently, you can call your card company and speak with the fraud department. However, I recommend you contact your card company's credit line department first. This is the department that can extend your credit almost instantaneously. They can also decrease it within seconds as well. If you have a limit of $5,000, they can reduce it to $100 immediately, then pass you to the fraud department. Call your card company and request the direct number to this department and make a record of it. If you notice someone swiping your card more than once when paying for an item, ask them why. Regardless of how sensible the answer is, call your card company and request a list of the last few transactions, you might be surprised what you find. If your card company sends you checks to use for cash advancements and you don't plan on using them, don't keep them around, shred them immediately. We get these all the time in the mail. As far as shredders go, everyone should have one. You can pick up a small one for under $30 and it is well worth the investment. Any statements or correspondence you have regarding your credit cards should be in a secure place or shredded. Credit Reporting & Monitoring Links If you find something strange on your credit report, contact the credit reporting agency immediately. In addition to calling them (if possible), send them a certified letter describing what you have found. It's very important to document any and all correspondence on these matters. Conclusion One of the best ways to protect yourself from electronic fraud and identity theft is to ask questions. Primarily, ask yourself whether or not the particular situation you are faced with makes sense? Why would your bank request information from you via e-mail? Why would someone in another country be willing to give you millions of dollars to assist them with their banking woes? There is a certain percentage of our population who has absolutely no morality when it comes to the acquisition of wealth. These people know the risk of getting caught is minimal. In many cases, even if they do get caught, they are willing to deal with the consequences given the potential monetary payoff. Stay vigilant and educate yourself on these matters. It really is the best way to protect yourself against the myriad of threats and risks we are presented with everyday. About The Author If someone you know has sent youthis article, please take a moment to visit our site andregister for the free newsletter at http://www.defendingthenet.com/subscribe.htm
MORE RESOURCES: Idaho Falls security camera catches burglar LocalNews8.com Tallahassee hospital cancels procedures, diverts EMS after IT security issue Tallahassee Democrat Turkey says West failed to share details of security threat The Associated Press - en Español The forgotten Black woman who invented the video home security system The Washington Post President Biden Announces Appointments to the President’s ... The White House Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for ... Department of Defense Critical New U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine - United States ... Department of State Texas Senate leaders signal intent to spend big on border security The Texas Tribune CBP proposes efforts to strengthen aviation security | U.S Customs and Border Protection CVA reports data security breach involving some patient information Alabama's News Leader Leveraging K-9 capabilities within security Security Magazine Mitigating security risks with an evolving workforce Security Magazine DHS Expands Abraham Accords to Cybersecurity Homeland Security Burlington police: Mayor condemns police's private security contract Burlington Free Press School security: Local schools get $7.6 million for safety upgrades Dayton Daily News US. Department of Homeland Security and Finnish Ministry of the ... Homeland Security IBM Security GM on Seeing a Target Through the Hacker's Eyes BankInfoSecurity.com Memphis Police Chief Trained With Israel Security Forces The Intercept Jeetu Patel on Having a Consistent Design at Cisco Security BankInfoSecurity.com Williamsport security guard allegedly chokeholds boy PAHomePage.com Air Force sees national security threat in Chinese-owned corn mill Successful Farming Security guard accused of killing man during fight at grocery store will not face charges Fox Baltimore Market Map: Information security guards against economic threats PitchBook News & Analysis Statement of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas on the Family ... Homeland Security Smaller krewes, ready to roll despite security setbacks, hopeful for ... FOX 8 Local First DMPS parents call for more security after two guns found in high schools in two weeks KCCI Des Moines Video security cameras that help ensure compliance Security Magazine Basketball games add extra security after multiple lockdowns in Wake County during the week WRAL News Street Talk: Ferris partners with National Security Agency Grand Rapids Business Journal SRPD, cannabis companies gather to hash out security concerns ... The Santa Rosa Press Democrat Security Think Tank: In 2023, we need a new way to cultivate better habits ComputerWeekly.com USENIX Security ’22 – Pratik Vaishnavi, Kevin Eykholt, Amir Rahmati – ‘Transferring Adv... Security Boulevard DHS Announces Process Enhancements for Supporting Labor ... Homeland Security DHS Continues to Prepare for End of Title 42; Announces New ... Homeland Security More Than $3 Billion in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine Department of Defense |
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