In today’s technology driven
world, we have conveniences that enable us to live fuller, richer and more
productive lives. But with those technological advances also comes the
opportunity for thieves to commit online fraud, including “tricking” you into
providing your personal or account information.
Security and privacy is of
utmost importance to most banks and credit card institutions. If you suspect
that an email, web site or phone call may be from a fraudulent source, call the
customer service department at your bank or credit card company (the toll free
number is usually on the back of your credit card), and report it immediately!
Many banks periodically send
information to customers via email, but they will never email customers and
request that they send personal information through the Internet, nor through
any other means. Even if the return address looks like it may be from your bank
or credit card company, such as
if the message requests that
you confirm your email address, account number or social security number DO NOT
RESPOND. Call your bank immediately. When in doubt, always call your bank or
credit card company, and ask if it’s a real email. In the past banks and credit
card companies have seen cases where a perpetrator has pretended to be a
representative of a bank, and has sent emails requesting that customers confirm
their email address so the bank can send them an “important announcement” in the
future. Banks don’t do this…they don’t contact their customers and request that
they give them any personal information over the Internet or telephone. Also be wary of an email with
misspelled words and emails that contain grammatical or typographical errors in
them. Refrain from clicking on links within unsolicited emails that take you to
“official” looking websites or any pop up windows – even though they may seem
like they are from a source from which you are familiar. Today’s “cyber thieves”
try to buy web site names that are similar to those of a reputable business in
order to lure you there to falsely obtain sensitive information. Be sure you
know the real website address of your bank and credit card company. They will
not have two or three different ones. Do not share your password
with anyone, and be sure to change it regularly. Only provide your user ID and
password when your browser indicates an encrypted or secure connection (the
address in your browser bar will begin with https:// and will normally display
an icon that looks like a padlock). If you think you may have provided
information to a fraudulent source, change your password immediately and contact
your bank or credit card company. Also make sure you monitor your online account
frequently for suspicious activity. Most real bank emails and
websites will have an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC logos, an option to
sign up for their “Do Not Solicit List”, a confirmation on why you are receiving
the email message, and a link to Privacy and Security pages. Bank and credit card emails
and websites will not have: Poor grammar, misspelled words, or a site where you
see in the address bar that it has defaulted to a “sub page” i.e. (
http://yourbank.com/pf/deposits.asp ). It will never have a pop up window
requesting personal information like your full debit card number, your pin
number, card expiration date or email address. No bank will ask you for your pin
number the phone, or email. Do not give out this kind of information. Protect yourself and stay
informed with what to look for. You can read the FDIC’s “Tips for Safe Banking
Over the Internet” at: http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/online/safe.html For more information you can
also go to the FBI Advisory on “spoofing”: http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel03/spoofing072103.htm
An Attorney's Advice
Read this and make a copy
for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take
some of his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees
in his company.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first
name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not
know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but
your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put
the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four
numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who
might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing
channels won' t have access to it.
3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have
a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use
your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. You can
add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of
each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and
all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the
photocopy in a safe place.
I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad.
We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a
name, address, Social Security number, credit cards. Unfortunately, I, an
attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month.
Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package,
applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway
computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information
online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to
you or someone you know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key
is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to
call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards,
etc. were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is
a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important of all : (I never even thought to do
this.)
3.Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a
fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing
that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit
was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks
your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by
phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two
weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all
the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew
about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done,
and the thieves threw my wallet away. This weekend someone turned it in. It
seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc. has
been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
