Recognize Online Fraud

Email Fraud
Also called "phishing", "pharming", or "spoofing", email fraud occurs when internet thieves are trying to steal your confidential information such as account numbers and passwords. They send emails that appear to be from a well known company or appear as a legitimate website and entice you to disclose personal information

Fake emails are sent by cyber-criminals and typically:

. Ask you for personal information. Fake emails often contain an overly generic greeting and may claim that your information has been compromised, that your account has been frozen, or ask you to confirm the authenticity of your transactions.

. Appear to be from a legitimate source. While some emails are easy to identify as fraudulent, others may appear to be from a legitimate address and trusted online source. However, you should not rely on the name or address in the "From" field, as this is easily altered.

. Contain fraudulent job offers. Some fake emails appear to be from companies offering jobs. These are often work-at-home accounting positions which are actually schemes that victimize both the job applicant and other customers. Be sure to confirm that the job offer is from a known and trusted company.

. Contain prizes or gift certificate offers. Some fake emails promise a prize or gift certificate in exchange for completing a survey or answering questions. In order to collect the alleged prize or gift certificate you may be directed to provide your personal information. Just like with job offers, be sure to confirm that prize or gift certificate is being issued from a known and trusted company.

. Link to counterfeit Web sites. Fake emails may direct you to counterfeit Web sites carefully designed to look real, but which actually collect personal information for illegal use.
Link to real Web sites. In addition to links to counterfeit Web sites, some fake emails also include links to legitimate Web sites. The fraudsters do this in an attempt to make a fake email appear real.

. Contain fraudulent phone numbers. Fake emails often contain telephone numbers that are tied to the fraudsters. Never call a number featured on an email you suspect is fraudulent, and be sure to double-check any numbers you do call.

. Contain real phone numbers. Some of the telephone numbers listed in fake emails may be legitimate, connecting to actual companies. Just like with links, fraudsters include the real phone numbers in an effort to make the email appear to be legitimate.

. To increase response, fraudsters will include upsetting or exciting statements in their emails. They want you to react immediately and respond with the desired information without thinking. Protect yourself by taking the time to examine the claims made in the email. If you receive an email requesting sensitive information check it out for authenticity by contacting the company.


Protect Yourself Online

Internet Security:

. Never share personal or payment information via email. Regular email is not secure and can be intercepted

. Practice extreme caution when using public computers. You may be at risk when using public computers-such as those in hotels, libraries, or internet cafes. Spyware may have been installed and by entering private information you are at risk of having it stolen.

. Provide personal information on a Web page only if it's secure and you have initiated the contact. Always check for the lock icon or check the site certificate.

. Keep your passwords secret. Change them regularly, using a mix of numbers and characters.

Computer Security:

. Keep your computer operating system and Internet browser current. This can help protect your computer from ad-ware, spyware, and other forms of potentially dangerous software.

. Keep anti-virus software up-to-date. Anti-virus software needs frequent updates to guard against new viruses. Download the anti-virus updates as soon as you're notified that a new download is available. Some programs also offer an automatic update.

. Install a firewall. These prevent unwanted network connections from reaching your computer.

. Scan your computer regularly for ad-ware, spyware, and other forms of dangerous software.

Using solutions such as firewalls, anti-virus software and "spyware" anti-spyware tools can help keep your computer safe.

Recognize Identity Theft

What is Identity Theft?

Identity Theft is when someone steals personal and financial information, such as your name, social security number, or an account number, and uses that information to:

Open credit accounts in your name, or run up existing accounts.
Obtain loans in your name, which are not repaid.
Open bank accounts in your name and write bad checks.
Commit crimes , resulting in warrants being issued in your name.

How to protect yourself:

. Don't give out personal information - such as checking account, credit card numbers, and especially your social security number. Never give out any of this information over the phone or on the internet unless you know for sure who you are dealing with and have initiated the call or know you are on a secure website.

. Don't preprint your Social Security number, Drivers license, or Telephone number on checks. Report lost or stolen checks immediately and always store your check supply in a secure place.

. Purchase your checks and deposit slips from an approved check vendor - this will ensure the quality and the integrity of your account documents.

. Never write down pins or passwords - memorize them and so not use any part of your Social Security number, mother's maiden name, your birth date, or address.

. Be careful at ATMs -"Shoulder surfers" can get your pin number and gain access to your account.

. Check your credit card statements - carefully and immediately report unauthorized purchases.

. Call your credit card company - if your card has expired and you have not received a new one.

. Cancel unused credit cards - cutting them up is not enough.

. Don 't put outgoing mail in your mailbox - Drop it into a secure official Postal Service collection box.

. Shred private documents - never just throw your documents with personal information without shredding. Dumpster divers are always on the look out for these types of documents.

. Contact the major credit reporting companies periodically - keep an eye on your credit report, looking for anything suspicious.

What to do if your Identity Is Stolen:

. Immediately contact your bank - to close your existing accounts. Open a new account with a new account number, including new ATM cards and PIN numbers.

. File a report with the police - immediately and request copies of all police reports.

. Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus - by phone and in writing. (see list below)

. Contact the security departments of any fraudulent accounts - that have been opened.

. Contact all your creditors , - by phone and in writing, and inform them of the problem.

. Cancel all of your credit cards - and request that new accounts be established.

. Contact your Drivers License Issuing department - to see if a new license has been requested or issued in your name.

Remove Your Name From Marketing Lists:

Get Off Mailing Lists Write To:
Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008

Get Off Telemarketing Lists Write To:
Direct Marketing Association
Telephone Preference Service
P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014

Get Off Email Lists Go To:
www.e-mps.org to register to reduce the amount of unsolicited commercial email you receive.

Get Off Credit Bureau Marketing Lists
Call Toll-free 888-567-8688

Important Contact Information:

U.S. Postal Inspectors Office
Victims of fraud should contact their local post office to report any crime involving stolen mail or use of the mail in furtherance of a fraud scheme

Federal Trade Commission Hotline
www.ftc.gov . 877-438-4338
The FTC maintains a program to assist victims of Identity Theft

Department of Transportation
If your driver's license is stolen, report the theft immediately to your Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Credit Reporting Bureaus/ Fraud Departments:

Equifax . 800-270-3435 . 800-525-6285
P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348

Experian (formerly TRW) . 888-397-3742
P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

Transunion . 800-680-7289
P.O. Box 679, Fullerton, CA 92634

Internal Revenue Service
Report Fictitious IRS Forms . 800-829-0433