Identity Theft & Internet Scams
Network awareness is a term we hear a lot these days. Cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new ways to steal your personal or business information, money, and identity. It is important to know what methods they are using and how to recognize them.
- Identity theft is illegally collecting and using other people’s personal information for money or credit. Signs of identity theft include: bills for products or services you did not purchase, suspicious charges on your credit card, or new accounts opened in your name without you do not allow.
- Impersonation Scam occurs when you receive an email or call from someone claiming to be a government official, family member, or friend requesting personal or financial information. For example, an impostor could contact you claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. The impostor will notify you that your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended and expect you to either reveal your SSN or pay to reactivate it.
- Debt collection scam occurs when criminals try to collect a fraudulent debt. A sign that the “collector” may be a fraud is asking for payment by bank transfer or credit card. In 2018, the number of requests for gift cards and reloadable cards also spiked.
Keep yourself and your business safe
Anytime you are online; you are vulnerable. Follow these 5 tips to stay safe.
- Practice safe surfing wherever you are by checking the “green padlock” or padlock icon in your browser bar—this indicates a secure connection.
- When you find yourself in the “Wi-Fi Wild West,” avoid free internet access without encryption.
- If you use an insecure public hotspot, practice good Internet hygiene by avoiding sensitive activities (for example, banking) that require passwords or credit cards. Your personal hotspot is often a more secure alternative to free Wi-Fi.
- Do not reveal personally identifiable information such as your bank account number, SSN or date of birth to unknown sources.
- Type the website’s URL directly into the address bar instead of clicking a link or cutting and pasting from an email.
Victim of cyber attack or fraud?
If you ever discover that you or your business has been the victim of a scam or cyber attack, contact the authorities immediately. Be sure to keep and document all evidence of the situation and its origin.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity and to ensure that all Americans have the resources they need. need to be safer and more secure online. NICCS has provided a large number of resources for personal and business use. You can find this and more on their website here.
