Posts Tagged ‘cyber crimes’
Beware of Skimming Devices-Tips to Protect Yourself-ITRC
A skimming device is a piece of hardware that is attached to any credit/debit card processing machine and will record all the data that is contained on the magnetic strip on the back of your card. The skimming device is often supplemented with a camera discreetly positioned so that it can secretly record you enter your PIN number if using a debit card. A skimming device can be placed on ATM machines, gas station pumps and at the cashier at your local retailer.
Check the machine you are using for any suspicious additional hardware attached to it or for a warning sticker that has been cut or torn.
A skimmer can be small and inconspicuous, but it is nonetheless an additional piece of hardware that must be physically attached to any machine that you are using. Always be sure to check for any hardware that looks like it was manually added and does not conform to the rest of the machine. On some machines, the skimmer can be attached in a hidden compartment such as a gas station pump. The gas station pump credit/debit card swipe is often covered and you will not be able to see a skimmer that is attached to it because it is hidden behind a panel or compartment that must be opened in order to access it. Many gas stations place a sticker over the panel opening so that it must be removed, cut or torn in order to reach the component the skimmer must be attached to. Whenever one of these stickers looks stretched, excessively worn, or severed, you should look for a different pump or gas station.
Use a credit card over a debit card whenever possible.
The reason for this is due to the differences between how a credit card and debit card work. A credit card is simply a line of credit extended to you from a financial institution. When you pay for something with a credit card, you are creating a debt with the financial institution that you will have to pay later. A debit card is different in that it is not a line of credit, but a conduit to your bank account which contains your hard earned money. This is related to two problems that occur when your debit card is used for fraud as opposed to your credit card. First, since your debit card is attached to your bank account, a criminal can potentially drain all the money out of your bank account leaving you with no money to pay your bills. A criminal using your credit card can run up a nasty bill, but at least you will still have the money in your bank account to be able to pay bills such as rent and car payments. Second, banks treat debit cards and credit cards differently when it comes to fraudulent transactions. Credit cards are offered much more robust liability protection in that, generally, your liability for fraudulent transactions will usually be at maximum $50.00. A debit card on the other hand will have liability limited to $50.00 so long as you report the fraudulent transaction within two days. Your liability will be limited to $500.00 if reported between 2 and 60 days, and you will be liable for the entire fraudulent transaction if you fail to report it within 60 days.
Monitor your credit and debit card accounts as often as possible.
In order to reap the benefits of limited liability and to prevent a thief from using your card information over several days or weeks, you must be vigilant in monitoring your accounts to find evidence of fraudulent transactions. The sooner you detect a fraudulent transaction, the faster you will be able to report the fraud to your financial institution, limit your liability for the purchase, and shut down the card so that it can no longer be used.
“Three Tips to Avoid Skimming Device Consequences” was written by Sam Imandoust, Esq. He serves as a legal analyst for the Identity Theft Resource Center. We welcome you to post/reprint the above article, as written, giving credit to the author and linking back to the original posting.
3 Steps to Protect Your Identity From Online Internet Criminal Activity
Hackers hack because they can. They hack to steal YOUR identity. They don’t care they don’t know you. Whether it is through your email, a spoofed (fake) email requests, even links to connect from LinkedIn, hackers can add malware or key-logger programs to your computer to scrounge around for you to provide – and what you may consider – protected information.
In the case of a key logger program, hackers can access your passwords, account numbers, bank information and even your employer information. Once hackers gain access to this information, they use it to re-invent themselves as you, get a new drivers license, start new credit cards or even buy property. Identity thieves abound and the most frustrating thing is only one in 700 identity thieves are ever arrested. Being careful when on-line is critical. Here are three actions you can take today to ensure your critical information stays private:
1. Install a firewall on your computer and digital devices such as AVG, Avast or Lookout
2. Install an anti-malware program and check and run it monthly
3. Download password generator program software from sites like Keepass, Lastpass, or Roboform
Identity theft is on the rise. The IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center- partnership between the FBI, the National White Collar Crime Center and the Bureau of Justice) received and processed 289,874 complaints, averaging more than 24,000 complaints per month of identity theft. This is 8.3 percent over the previous full year. For more information read the IC3 crime report.
Want to learn more about on-line safety, protecting your identity and recovery if it is stolen connect with The Identity Advocate : http://www.theidentityadvocate.com/identity-theft-protection.php
Related Blog Posts:
http://www.theidentityadvocate.com/blog/identity-theft/fbi-new-e-scams-warnings
Cyber Criminals Using Photo-Sharing Programs to Compromise Computers – FBI Press Release
The FBI has seen an increase in cyber criminals who use online photo-sharing programs to perpetrate scams and harm victims’ computers. These criminals advertise vehicles online but will not provide pictures in the advertisement. They will send photos on request. Sometimes the photo is a single file sent as an e-mail attachment, and sometimes the victim receives a link to an online photo gallery.
The photos can and often contain malicious software that infects the victim’s computer, directing the user to fake websites that look nearly identical to the real sites where the original advertisement was seen. The cyber criminals run all aspects of these fake websites, including “tech support” or “live chat support” and any “recommended” escrow services. After the victim agrees to purchase the item and makes the payment, the criminals stop responding to correspondence. The victims never receive any merchandise.
The FBI urges consumers to protect themselves when shopping online. Here are a few tips for staying safe:
- Be cautious if you lose an auction on an auction site but the seller contacts you later saying the original bidder fell through.
- Make sure websites are secure and authenticated before you purchase an item online. Use only well-known escrow services.
- Research to determine if a car dealership is real and how long it has been in business.
- Be wary if the price for the item you’d like to buy is severely undervalued; if it is, the item is likely fraudulent.
- Scan files before downloading them to your computer.
- Keep your computer software, including the operating system, updated with the latest patches.
- Ensure your anti-virus software and firewalls are current—they can help prevent malware infections.
If you have fallen victim to this type of scam, file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
If you need education and resources to protect your identity click on http://www.theidentityadvocate.com/identity-advocate-services.php
International Internet Scam Hotspots
Check out how and wherefores of an International Scams online ~ 
From: Background Check Guide
Identity Theft and nearly Five Year Prison Sentence – FBI Press Release
Stockton Man Sentenced to Almost Five Years in Prison for Identity Theft
U.S. Attorney’s Office May 31, 2012
Eastern District of California (916) 554-2700
SACRAMENTO, CA—Michael Garcia, 39, of Stockton, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to 57 months in prison for fraud in connection with computers and in connection with an access device, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, Garcia was employed as a technician by a contractor that provided information technology (IT) assistance to third parties. While employed there, Garcia accessed the computer servers of a law firm and an accountant firm without their knowledge or authorization and downloaded the personal information of more than 1,450 clients and employees. Garcia maintained this information on his computer and elsewhere.
According to court documents, Garcia and others used this personal and financial information to make counterfeited identification documents including driver’s licenses and military identification. They used the information to open bank accounts, draft bank checks, make cash withdrawals, obtain loans and lines of credit, and make unauthorized purchases. Additionally, Garcia accompanied others who wore stolen U.S. Customs and Border Protection uniforms to carry out certain fraudulent transactions, such as cashing checks, in the belief that the uniforms gave them more credibility. When arrested, Garcia possessed counterfeit California driver’s licenses, one of which bore his photo but with the name of a victim. The loss is more than $136,000.
Today in court, an employee of the accounting firm where Garcia unlawfully accessed the personal financial information told of the severe hardship suffered by the firm because of Garcia’s actions, as well as the personal toll she experienced because of Garcia’s breach of trust. Judge England commented that identity theft cases, particularly those where there has been an abuse of trust, negatively affect many lives.
This case was the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Todd Pickles and Robin Taylor prosecuted the case.
Data Breaches and Electronic Health Records more source for Identity Theft
Read this great article posted at Fierce EMR ( http://www.fierceemr.com/story/ehrs-major-cause-patient-info-breaches/2012-04-12?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal ) and continue to worry about who has access to your person health information. Identity Theft is coming at everyone from so many sources, whether it is from a stolen laptop, thumb-drive, Identity Theft rings or cyber-hacking, we can never be sure who can access our information. And what do you do to protect it or more importantly who quickly can you recover your information if it has been compromised? See my website protection page information at: http://www.theidentityadvocate.com/identity-theft-protection.php.
Call or connect with me for questions!
Smart Phone, Geo-Tagging & Keeping Your Children Safe
Remember how much data can be found from postings made to Facebook and other picture site. The bad guys can find your home, see where your children hang out, and pose a threat you didn’t even know existed. Watch this video clip from ABC News:
Remember to adjust your phones features! Watch your privacy settings! Turn off functions like GPS, unless you are using your map or other features, at the time.
