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Protect Your Money
By: Barb
Keck
 It’s
the fastest growing fraud in North America today. As many as 750,000 victims
a year. A social insurance number and a date of birth are all that's needed
for identity thieves to assume your identity. Once an identity has been acquired,
they can transfer bank balances, apply for credit cards, and purchase items
under your name.
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BEWARE! Identity thieves are using
Card-Skimming devices at places you shop
Cell phone cameras to take photos of your card data
Emails to lure you to hand over personal information
And trashing your garbage to find banking information
Email
There have been swarms of emails advising you to follow through
to update your records. They will tell you it is a mandatory process. What they
are really doing is gathering your details only to empty your bank account and
any other monies they can access through your information.
Credit Card Skimming
A credit card skimmer is a device designed to be used with cash registers and/or
credit card machines. Your information which is encoded in the magnetic strip
on the back of your card, will gather all the information they need to make
a purchase, including your name, address, telephone number, card number, credit
limit and PIN number.
Cell phone-cameras
The new cell phone-cameras are being used to take photos while you are banking
or using your credit card. The new high-resolution cameras will give them a
clear picture of your card information.
Mail
20,000 new cases popped up in 2002 —thieves will go to the post office
have your mail redirected to their address, getting important personal information.
They will then apply for and receive a credit card in your name.
Minimize your risk. Practice your own security.
Don't give out information through emails or websites unless you initiated the contact. Instead, go directly to the website of the company you deal with and verify details from there.
Protect your PIN numbers, Hide your actions at any banking
machine or bankcard processing machine.
Social security number, don't have it printed on you cheque.
Change your passwords often or as soon as you notice.
Don’t let anyone stand close to you while you are
banking, even if they don’t appear to have a cell phone.
Shred any banking, billing statements or receipts before
putting them in your garbage. Identity thieves will pick through your trash.
Bring your mail in as soon as possible, if you can’t,
purchase a locked mailbox.
Keep an eye on your credit card; watch it doesn’t
get swiped twice.
Before giving personal information to anyone check that
you are dealing with a legitimate organization.
Organization's and companies post scam alerts on their websites
when their name is used improperly.
You can help
Learn more about how you can protect yourself and guard against identity theft
by reporting illegal activity through these sites.
Reporting Economic Crime On-line (RECOL)
Partners: www.recol.ca
National Information Fraud Centre: www.fraud.org
US Social Security Identity Theft: www.ssa.gov
Internet Fraud Complaint Center: www1.ifccfbi.gov
How to report a scam - Fight Identiy Theft: www.fightidentitytheft.com
NEW! To check if an email
is a scam, visit www.snopes.com
Other articles you may find interesting:
Read
Barb Keck's Biography
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