LifeLock (2)

Don’t regret that drive-thru visit – Protect yourself from card theft

January 11, 2012 – 8:56 am

A 17-year-old resident of Olympia, Wash., who works at the local McDonald’s, has been charged with identity theft after local authorities busted him for skimming credit and debit cards while working in the drive-thru window.

It’s easy enough for anyone to perpetrate this type of fraud – all you have to do is purchase a skimming device online. You can get one for less than $100, and you’re in business. And those who sell the devices could not care less if the buyer is underage.

In this incident, the teen was caught after transaction monitoring traced the fraud – but not before he had gained nearly $13,000 using the stolen information. He used a handheld skimming device to collect the information, then used the stolen information to purchase gift cards at stores like Walmart and Toys R Us. He then purchased nearly $13,000 worth of merchandise, which he sold on Craigslist and eBay for profit.

How do you prevent this type of theft from happening to you? First of all, never take your eyes off your card. If the cashier or clerk tries to step out of sight with your card, ask them to swipe it in front of you. If the clerk refuses or argues, ask to speak with a manager. If there’s still trouble, move on and make your purchase elsewhere. This goes whether you’re in a restaurant, retail store or a drive-thru.

It’s important to also guard your information when shopping in a retail store. In addition to keeping your card in sight, it’s also important to be sure the terminal you’re using is safe. Check it before you swipe your card, and if there are any loose pieces, don’t swipe.

When it comes to credit and debit card theft, thieves are getting more and more sly. It’s time consumers followed suit.

Share and Enjoy:

How to avoid identity theft

January 6, 2012 – 7:50 am





Share and Enjoy:


				
					By admin
					|
					Posted in identity theft prevention
					|
					Tagged Identity theft, identity theft prevention, LifeLock
					|
					Comments (0)





			
				Protect your RFID-enabled credit card
				January 3, 2012 – 7:53 am
				
Imagine yourself getting your credit card bill and finding that there are hundreds of dollars in charges you know nothing about – just thinking about it can bring on a migraine.
But an estimated 9 million people faced just that during the past year, all victims of identity theft. This figure wasn’t helped out by the convenience of the new radio frequency identification credit card, despite the fact that a the cards are supposed to be designed with extra layers of security against identity theft.
An RFID card is basically designed to transmit credit card information through radio waves from a chip embedded in the card. When you use your card at a retailer, your card won’t be swiped through  traditional point of sale machine. Instead, all you have to do is hold your card close to a card scanner, and it transmits the information. It’s supposed to be fast and convenient.
But is this technology safe? Because the technology behind the card allows you to conduct a transaction without putting the card through the card reader at the point of sale, a thief can also be nearby and swipe your information using an RFID scanner.
But there is good news. RFID cards encrypt a cardholder’s information, so a thief has to not only obtain the information, but also has to break the card issuer’s encryption. Each transaction is also given an authentication code, which means if a thief has the info from your RFID chip, they can only make one purchase with the authentication code. 
It should be noted, however, that this is the case only if your information is stolen by a thief nearby using an unauthorized scanner. If the thief actually steals your card, he can use the magnetic stripe on the back until the card is reported as stolen.
Protect your card by storing it in an RFID-blocking wallet or a credit card shield. You could also request a new card from your card issuer, that does not contain the RFID chip.



Share and Enjoy:


	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	



                    
                
								
				
					By admin
					|
					Posted in identity theft risks
					|
					Tagged credit card theft, Identity theft, LifeLock, RFID
					|
					Comments (0)
				
			




			
				Watch your debit card statement
				December 30, 2011 – 8:27 am
				




Share and Enjoy:


	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	



                    
                
								

				
					By admin
					|
					Posted in skimming
					|
					Tagged credit card theft, debit card theft, Identity theft, LifeLock
					|
					Comments (0)
				
			




			
				Tennessee woman’s home for rent – and she had no idea
				December 28, 2011 – 9:30 am
				
Identity thieves are always seeking new and inventive ways to fool the masses into giving up their personal or financial information. But they are also constantly coming up with ways to use that information once they’ve stolen it.
A thief in Tennessee stole a woman’s identity, then used it to offer up her home for rent without her knowledge. He set up a website in the woman’s name, then advertised the home for $1,000 a month, with a $1,000 deposit. 
A potential renter contacted her own realtor, who then notified the homeowner about the scam. The homeowner then searched online and found the fake listing. She says that to date, no one has shown up at her home claiming to have rented the home.
Thieves can also use your stolen Social Security number to get a driver’s license or an ID card issued in your name, but with their picture. They could then use it to get government benefits or file a fraudulent tax return in your name.
Thieves use stolen personal information to apply for jobs, obtain utility services like electricity, cable, heating or telephone, and they even rent apartments and other housing. 
The worst possible scenario is a thief using your stolen information when arrested. Thieves give police officers your personal information when they are arrested, and then you have the criminal record, not the thief. When the thief doesn’t show up for court, the police come looking for you with an warrant bearing your name.
Be safe. Protect your information and don’t give it out to just anyone.



Share and Enjoy:


	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	



                    
                
								
				
					By admin
					|
					Posted in criminal identity theft
					|
					Tagged identity fraud, identity scams, Identity theft, identity theft protection, LifeLock
					|
					Comments (0)
				
			




			
				Don’t fall for smishing scam
				December 21, 2011 – 9:30 am
				




Share and Enjoy:


	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	



                    
                
								

				
					By admin
					|
					Posted in smishing
					|
					Tagged Identity theft, LifeLock, phone scam, smishing, text scams
					|
					Comments (0)
				
			




			
				Keep your credit card safe when you travel
				December 19, 2011 – 9:35 am
				
Imagine this: you take your kid to Disney World for the trip of her dreams. She’s been dreaming about meeting Mickey and Minnie for months. You and your family have the time of your lives, and you watch your child experience the park and all its attractions with wide-eyed enthusiasm. 
But when you return to your hotel room that night, you find that your bank has notified you that your credit card has been shut down because of a theft. After a little digging, you find that someone used your credit card information and also had the time of his or her life – to the tune of about $3,500. 
Turns out, someone at the park used his smartphone to snap a picture of your credit card number at the theme park’s ticket booth. 
It’s a well-known fact that when you travel, the risk to your personal and financial information escalates, particularly during the holidays. So what can you do to protect yourself?
First of all, don’t use free wireless if you are going to be checking your bank account status or shopping. It’s far too easy to hack into these servers and steal information.
Second, keep your eye on your credit cards at all times. Don’t let anyone, for any reason, take your card away from you and take it out of sight. And cover your card and the key pad if you are inputting a PIN. 
Don’t use your debit card when you travel. It’s a direct link to your bank account, and doesn’t have the protections that a credit card offers. 
The best thing you can do is to be cautious, no matter where you are or what the circumstances. Better safe than sorry.



Share and Enjoy:


	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	



                    
                
								
				
					By admin
					|
					Posted in identity theft risks
					|
					Tagged credit card theft, holiday credit card theft, holiday identity theft, Identity theft, LifeLock
					|
					Comments (0)
				
			




			
				Let LifeLock protect your identity this holiday season – and beyond
				December 15, 2011 – 12:38 pm
				




Share and Enjoy:


	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	



                    
                
								

				
					By admin
					|
					Posted in identity theft protection
					|
					Tagged Identity theft, identity theft protection, LifeLock
					|
					Comments (0)
				
			




			
				Watch out for scams that can ruin your holidays
				December 14, 2011 – 9:57 am
				
Identity thieves, just like the rest of us, know ’tis the season to be jolly – and they’re laughing all the way to the bank. 
Each year, thousands of people fall victim to identity theft and identity fraud as cyber crooks take advantage of online shoppers. These thieves also count on you to be in a hurry as you rush about, shopping, visiting friends and family and getting ready for the big day.
Here are some of the more popular scams you should be on the lookout during the holiday season:
• Shoulder surfing – Identity thieves take advantage of crowded stores. They’ll stand close enough to you to be able to watch you input your PIN when using your debit or credit card to make a purchase or withdraw money from the ATM. They’ll even use their phone to video it if they can. If you notice someone is hovering a bit too close, or if the crowd’s pressed in tight, be sure to cover the numeric pad as you input your PIN. Be careful about who can see your driver’s license, checking account or credit card information as well as you present these to store clerks.
• Dumpster diving – Crooks do this year-round, but the increased volume of mail during the holidays means they’ll be at it all the more. Open everything you get in the mail, even if it seems silly, and make sure you shred anything that bears your personal or financial information before you trash it. 
• Malware – Beware of apps and free downloads for your smartphone and tablet. These will be available in abundance during the holidays, and not all free apps are designed to keep your holidays bright. Some are designed to download malware that will grab your personal and financial information.
• Phishing – Watch out for phony e-mail notices. You may receive legitimate-looking e-mail that appears to be from a bank or credit card company, or even delivery services like FedEx or UPS. Don’t click on the links included in these e-mails, even if you sent something you think you might need to track. Track your packages via the website.



Share and Enjoy:


	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	



                    
                
								
				
					By admin
					|
					Posted in identity theft risks
					|
					Tagged holiday identity theft, holiday scams, identity fraud, Identity theft, LifeLock
					|
					Comments (0)
				
			




			
				Watch out for postal scams
				December 12, 2011 – 11:10 am
				
Many people have family and friends scattered across the globe, and that can mean long distance holiday wishes. It also means mailing Christmas gifts. There are also millions of people who have loved ones serving in the military, and who plan to send their soldier a care package for the holiday.
But thieves are well aware that this is peak mailing season, and they are doing all they can to steal personal information from unsuspecting consumers. And this includes sending out fake e-mails.
A new scam is making the rounds in which a victim receives an e-mail stating that if the victim wishes to know the status of a package sent vial postal service, he can click on the provided link. The link downloads a virus that targets the victim’s personal information. 
Another way thieves are scamming people is by stealing packages containing gifts and cards containing money. This not only provides them with personal information, but it also gives them a “gift.”
If you are expecting a package, ask your mailman to hold it at the post office so you can pick it up. Don’t have packages delivered to your door where they can become a temptation for a thief. You shouldn’t leave outgoing mail in your mailbox, either. Instead, mail it at the post office or in a locked mailbox. 
And despite the holiday rush, be sure you pick up your mail each day. Don’t leave it in the box for a thief to steal. If you go out of town for the holidays, have the post office hold your mail, or have a trusted friend or neighbor pick up your mail and hold it until you return.



Share and Enjoy:


	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	



                    
                
								
				
					By admin
					|
					Posted in identity theft risks
					|
					Tagged identity fraud, Identity theft, LifeLock, mail fraud, mail theft, postal scams
					|
					Comments (0)
				
			




			
				« Older posts
				Newer posts »