Posts Tagged ‘identity theft risk’

Protect your identity by protecting your wallet

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

There’s one thing that most people never leave home without – their wallets.

But most consumers don’t give a second thought to the contents of their wallets and what they contain – even though the contents could set them up for identity theft.

Many people carry identification in their wallet, such as a driver’s license or other photo ID. The information contained on that card could give a thief enough information to set him firmly on course to steal your identity. While you can’t avoid carrying ID, you can guard it closely. Never leave your purse or wallet unattended, and make sure that you don’t carry more than what you need.

A lot of people carry their Social Security cards with them. This is a huge no-no. If a thief gets his hands on your Social Security card, you can say goodbye to your identity, and likely a lot of money as well. Don’t carry your card in your wallet. Instead, store it in a locked and safe location, such as a safe deposit box at the bank or a locked file cabinet at your home.

Another item people have begun carrying in their wallets is a piece of paper bearing their passwords. While we all have a lot on our minds, and it’s easy to forget passwords, carrying them around is a huge issue when it comes to identity theft. When a person writes down a password, he often writes down what the password is for as well. If a thief gets his hands on this information, you may as well stick a fork in it – it’s done.

You should also never carry a piece of paper with you that bears your PIN number. It’s obvious why this is a bad idea.

Remember: Only carry the items you must have each day – this includes leaving your credit cards at home and only taking the one or ones you need that day. If you’re not shopping, leave all but one at home.

By taking a few extra precautions, you can thwart identity theft – and make a potential identity thief one unhappy camper.

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Hackers seek to steel identities through kid video gaming

Friday, April 1st, 2011

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FB now offers ‘military-grade’ encryption

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

The most common concern expressed by Facebook users has to do with security – Facebook users everywhere ask the same question: Is my Facebook profile and the information it contains safe?

In recent months, a new application called Firesheep – an add-on for the browser Firefox that provides an easy way for non-hackers to access others’ login information – was released. Firesheep works on a basic principle. Each time you log in, you provide your user name and password, which creates a “cookie.” That cookie can be sidejacked* and used to access your accounts.

If you are on a secured network, you can protect yourself. But if you’re using unsecured Wi-Fi, then your cookies may as well be on a plate and handed over to an identity thief, along with some milk to wash them down.

Once Firesheep is installed, it presents the users who are logged in using an unsecured Wi-Fi network and shows the sites they are visiting. It also reveals the users’ name and image, and with only one click, anyone can log in as that user, and gain access to all of their information.

Facebook has responded to the concerns about Firesheep voiced by its users, and has added a means to keep their web connection secure while connected to their accounts. The ability to add this encryption in Facebook was added this week.

To enable the encryption in your Facebook account, click on “Account,” then “Account Settings.” Scroll down to “Account Security,” and click “Change.” Look for “Secure Browsing https,” and click on the box to enable it.

Https protection has not yet been launched to all Facebook users, but is instead being rolled out slowly in the next few weeks, according to Facebook executives. If you don’t see the option yet, keep an eye out for it, and enable it as soon as possible.

It should be noted, however, that this encryption will not stop scams and the “koobFace” virus. There are still those who try to manipulate Facebook users to see videos, stories or images by clicking on a link, which will put that user’s account at risk. Be sure to verify the source of any links you receive before you click, and don’t click on links contained in unsolicited e-mails.

*Sidejacking is a term used to describe the malicious act of hijacking a victim’s user name and password, most often on social networking sites.

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Service members at unusually high risk for identity theft

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

A report penned by a former Army intelligence officer states that the U.S. government has done a poor job of protecting the Social Security numbers of its military personnel, leaving them extremely vulnerable to identity theft.

Lt. Col. Gregory Conti, who is now serving as a professor at West Point, wrote in the report that the nation’s military needs to eliminate its practice of using soldiers’ SSNs as forms of identification.

Today’s service men and men use their Social Security numbers for everything from reporting for duty to taking out basketballs at the base gym to identifying their laundry bags.

“Service members and their families are burdened with a work environment that shows little regard for their personal information,” Conti wrote. “Their units, military preparedness and combat effectiveness all will pay a price for decades to come.”

Although each branch of the military have already put procedures in place to limit the practice of using SSNs as a means of identification, Conti believes that very little has changed in the past 50 years. He said military policies tend to take a back seat when units leave the confines of their bases.

“The farther you get away from the flagpole at headquarters, those policies get overturned by operational realities,” Conti said.

In 2006, nearly 3.4 percent of active military members were victims of identity theft. That number is sure to be higher this year.

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Electronic pickpocketing on the rise

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

Identity thieves are becoming more and more crafty – and apparently, it’s no longer safe to even walk down the street if one of them is nearby.

Many credit card companies now place Radio Frequency Identification chips inside cards. They’re also found in many debit cards, and even passports and driver’s licenses. So instead of having to swipe your card, you need only to place it near a sensor. Same with the passport and driver’s license. The system offers ease of use and fast service.

The problem with this new technology is that thieves can acquire the technology to scan your credit and debit cards, and they only need to walk by you to do it. It’s called electronic pickpocketing.

For about $100, a thief can buy the needed equipment online to perform this task. Then, if he can just get kind of close to a person’s back pocket or purse, he can use the equipment to read the credit or debit card and download the account numbers, expiration date and other data.

Cards equipped with this type of technology use an encrypted security code to verify a transaction, which can protect against certain types of fraud – but not against someone who pulls the name and number from a card and used the information to make online purchases, for example.

How can you protect yourself? Leave your card in the protective sleeve your credit card issuer, bank or the DMV provided. It’s specially designed to prevent scanners from reading the card. If you don’t have a sleeve, ask for one. You can also find them for sale online.

Visa has begun requiring that banks not issue cards that transmit the cardholder’s name. American Express has followed suit. American Express cards also transmit a number different from that displayed on the card.

Not sure if your card has RFID? To identify whether your Visa card has this chip, look for the wave-like symbol shown here. Other cards also feature this symbol. On the American Express card, you can see the actual chip. If you’re not sure, call your bank or card issuer.

If you don’t want a card with a chip, simply call your bank or card issuer and request one without it, or at least one that doesn’t transmit your name.

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Protect yourself from ID theft: be prepared

Monday, October 18th, 2010

It seems that everywhere we turn these days, there’s a new threat to our personal information. Identity theft is a continuous problem and it truly is just that – everywhere.

Identity theft is truly the crime that won’t go away, and it can be both costly and time consuming. The average victim i 2009 lost $4,840 and spent 21 hours cleaning up the mess left by identity thieves, whose motive was to swipe your information and use it to drain accounts, obtain credit cards and create havoc in your life.

Identity theft can happen anywhere to anyone. but there are some known areas of risk that you can avoid, if you know how.

• Thieves are preying on people’s urgency to find work. In some cases, phony online ads ask that a resume include a Social Security number, or that applicants bring personal documents to a location that’s not a real office. If you can’t see a person face to face or can’t check out the company by doing a little basic research, beware. Limit personal information on your resume; include your e-mail address and telephone, but not necessarily your home address, and never a Social Security number.

• Children are being targeted for their Social Security numbers and clean credit records. Scammers zero in on them because the crime can often go undetected for years. Signs of possible child identity theft include bills, credit cards or debt collection calls coming to you in your child’s name. If you suspect your child’s identity has been stolen, check with the three credit reporting agencies to see if a credit report exists in your child’s name. If there isn’t one, it’s good news. If there is, it’s likely your child has been victimized. You should be stingy in giving out your child’s Social Security information, and be sure you know why it’s needed and ask if there’s an alternative form of identification that can be used.

• The holidays are coming, and it can be an especially risky time. Remember to never carry large amounts of cash or your Social Security card. If you’re not using your checkbook, leave it at home. Be careful using ATMs, and if something looks strange about the ATM, don’t use it. Make copies of your credit cards, front and back, so that you can easily report a loss or fraudulent charges. Check your bank and credit card statements to be sure all the entries are yours. If you shop online, be sure the site is secure.

• Experts say one of the easiest and best things you can do to protect yourself is to shred any documents that bear your personal information. You should also be sure to remove your information from old cell phones and computers.

Remember, fighting identity theft is a constant battle that requires constant attention. Attacks can come from all fronts – and it pays to be prepared.

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Be smart when it comes to keeping your smartphone safe

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Cell phones allow us to have it all at our fingertips: Internet connections that link to personal places, banking and social networking sites. These phones are evolving and becoming much ore than just phones, but this evolution puts consumers are more risk of identity theft than ever before.

So the Better Business Bureau encourages cell phone users to protect their identities by protecting their cell phones – and everything they contain.

If someone obtains your cell phone without your permission, there is a wide variety of things he could do to harm you, including stealing your identity, and using your name, your account numbers and your PINs. If you remain logged into a social networking or bank site, it can be particularly damaging.

You shouldn’t keep your credit card, PIN numbers, passwords or other personal information stored on you phone. Don’t store or message personal information like dates of birth.

You should be sure your phone is secure by setting up a password, and by properly disposing of your phone when you get a new one. Tossing your phone in the trash after you remove the SIM card isn’t enough. Personal information can also be stored on the phone, and you should be familiar with how to remove it.

Be careful about adding additional applications. Third-party apps are another way that criminals can attack smartphones. You should only use apps from trusted sources.

Be sure to keep your phone updated. When your carrier develops new updates or upgrades for your phone, install them. Very often, these updates are for your protection.

Your smartphone is your lifeline, and you don’t want it cut off. So don’t be careless with your phone. Doing so can result in it becoming lost or stolen. Get software protection when available, set your PIN number and be careful about adding apps. Taking these precautions will keep you safe from identity theft.

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Total of 20 arrested so far in fraud ring

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Authorities arrested 10 people in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida for operating a mortgage fraud and identity theft ring that brought in about $8 million.

The mortgage fraud involved about 25 properties, and has been in operation since 2006. The investigation is ongoing.

The arrests bring the total of those indicted in the case to 20. Arrestees face charges that include racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, grand theft and title insurance fraud.

Arrested were Michelle Minikus of Hollywood, Donald Lee and Lise Bessette of Deerfield Beach, Stephanie Jean of Hialeah, Judith Clemow and Magaly Rosa of Miami, Brandi Brown and Wesley Grant of Miramar, Wonder Ragin Knowles of Coconut Creek and Ofelia Torres of Hialeah Gardens.

Although the names of the victims in this case will not be released, it’s a safe bet there are lots of them, and they now face the difficult task of restoring their credit. If any of them are LifeLock customers, they can breathe a lot easier, knowing LifeLock representatives are there 24/7 to assist them by answering questions, providing support and taking care of all the little details.

With LifeLock’s Identity Alert™ System, customers are alerted immediately via e-mail, postal mail or by telephone if their personal information is being used to apply for credit or services. And as a LifeLock customer, they can rest assured knowing that thanks to LifeLock’s $1 Million Total Service Guarantee, if they ever fall victim to identity theft, LifeLock will spend up to $1 million set things right.

Very often in large cases of identity theft such as this one, thieves not only use the stolen information they’ve obtained, they also sell it. Personal information can fetch a high price on the black market. But if you’re a LifeLock customer, you can rest assured in eRecon™, a service that searches the Web for the illegal selling and trading of your personal information.

If any such activity is detected, you’ll get help from LifeLock to resolve the problem.

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Voter registration laptops stolen, leaving 25,000 vulnerable to identity theft

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

It’s just the nature of the beast. In a democracy, not everyone will be happy with the results on the day after a presidential election. But in Charlottesville NC, Republicans and Democrats alike are disgusted and afraid for their futures.

Not because of the election results, but because someone stole two laptop computers that contained names, addresses, dates of birth and Department of Motor Vehicle customer numbers for every registered voter in town. (more…)

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