| One of the hardest things we are faced with in our | | | | Amazon, EBay, or another merchant, asking you to |
| lives is asking hard questions of people. For many | | | | click a link and update your account information. Do |
| people, it simply isn't in their nature to be suspect of | | | | not do it. This is a scam. Report the email |
| everyone, rather they are trusting and in some cases | | | | immediately to the company that is being scammed |
| very naïve. This naivety can result in you being | | | | for. None of these online merchants or financial |
| the victim of identity fraud - when it comes to your | | | | institutions will send an email asking for your |
| personal information, banking or financial information | | | | information to be updated. If they do need your |
| or credit information; you have to be unafraid in | | | | information updated, it will appear when you login on |
| asking the 'hard' questions. Asking those who want | | | | the real site or they will contact you by phone. |
| your information should not appear to be a hindrance | | | | Trust Funds and Free Money |
| to them or putting them out of their way if they are | | | | We've all seen them. Someone from Nigeria has a |
| legitimate. Actually, those who are legitimate are | | | | trust fun that they will give you millions of dollars |
| willing to answer all of your questions and will do so | | | | from if you help them. These have been running |
| pleasantly and easily. | | | | around for years both online and offline and there are |
| Don't overlook the little things. Listen to your intuition. | | | | new ones all the time. These are also phishing scams |
| If you think something is wrong, it probably is. Ask | | | | - they ask you for your bank account information so |
| the question and start with yourself - what is wrong | | | | they can deposit your portion of the funds. |
| with this picture? Take a step back and look around. | | | | Meanwhile, they are drawing from your account until |
| Then ask the company or people you are dealing | | | | it is empty. Do not fall prey to these emails - simply |
| with the hard questions - why is that card reader so | | | | delete them and move on with your day. No one is |
| large? Why do you need my Social Security Number? | | | | going to give you a few million dollars for anything |
| Why do you need a photo copy of my driver's | | | | that is legal, even if it does sound enticing and |
| license and credit card? Be vigilant when you are | | | | legitimate. |
| dealing with all things electronic - this is the easiest | | | | You've won the Lottery or a Big Prize |
| and fastest way for a thief to steal your identity. | | | | How do you win a lottery or a prize that you never |
| Let's look at some common scenarios of electronic | | | | entered? And why do they need your bank |
| identity fraud. | | | | information, your credit card number, your SSN? |
| ATMs | | | | Unless you've actually entered a lottery or contest, |
| There has been ATM fraud using skimmers. A | | | | chances are, this is a scam. If you did enter a lottery |
| skimmer is a device that can be difficult to detect | | | | or contest, there is no need to give your bank |
| that is attached to an ATM that really shouldn't be | | | | account number or SSN, and no reason that you |
| there. The skimmer is a card reader that captures | | | | should pay for anything that you've won, not even |
| the information stored on the magnetic stripe. | | | | for shipping. These are all red flags that say this is a |
| Chances are there is also a hidden camera that | | | | scam. |
| records when you input your PIN number. Thieves | | | | Credit Card Fraud |
| can easily reproduce your bank card and steal from | | | | Probably the biggest fraud out there, always watch |
| you without your knowledge until your bank account | | | | your card. Never leave it on the table or with a |
| is empty. If you notice something odd with an ATM, | | | | waiter unattended. Check the receipt to ensure that |
| do not use it. Head into the bank or call the 800 | | | | not all of the numbers are visible on the receipt, if |
| number on the machine to ask for assistance. Watch | | | | they are, cross out all of them except the last four |
| ATMs that you use frequently, if something looks | | | | digits. They have already scanned your card; they do |
| different, do not use the machine and report it to | | | | not need a paper version of the number. |
| the bank as soon as possible. | | | | If you think you've been a victim of identity fraud, |
| Phishing | | | | contact your local police as well as your financial |
| Another form of electronic fraud is called phishing and | | | | institution, credit card companies and the credit |
| it is done in many different ways. Usually, you will | | | | reporting agencies immediately. |
| receive an email from your bank, from PayPal, | | | | |