Watch out for credit report scams
January 27, 2012 – 9:43 am
Tags: free credit reports, identity theft, LifeLock
Tags: free credit reports, identity theft, LifeLock
What if my business gets hacked?
January 25, 2012 – 1:27 pmWhat do you do if you own a business and your computer system gets hacked? Panic? Hardly. But you do need to take swift action.
Cybercriminals are targeting small businesses more and more to steal information like passwords, which can lead to bank account balances and credit lines, customer information and sensitive product details. Hackers are even virtually hijacking company computers or websites and using them to attack others online. Small businesses are extra-attractive to these criminals because they know small business owners often lack the security expertise, data protections and response tools to prevent it from happening and to deal with it if it does.
Criminal data breaches cost business victims an average of $318 per compromised record in 2010. Having a security recovery plan can not only save you money but can make things a lot less painful.
First of all, get a clear picture of what happened, including how the hackers got in, which computers and accounts were compromised what data was stolen or accessed, and determine if your customers were affected.
You should communicate quickly and honestly with employers, customers and partners, about what has happened, and what you are doing to fix the problem. You should also tell them what they need to do if anything. Being communicative will go a long way in maintaining your customer and business relationships, as well as protecting your business’ reputation.
The next thing you’ll want to do is to fix the problem. Consider reformatting hacked computers and restoring data with clean backups, or you may need to shut down your website while you clean up. Secure your accounts with new, complex passwords.
You’re also going to want to take a hard look at your security plan and make sure it is working. If there are holes, fix them as soon as possible.
Another thing you may wish to consider is the data breach protection offered by LifeLock. It can be invaluable. Go online today at www.lifelock.com.
Tags: business hacking, Data Breaches, identity theft, LifeLock, virtual hijacking
Playing that game on social media sites may cost you
January 23, 2012 – 10:17 amIf you use social media websites, then you are familiar with the applications that are constantly popping up within them. The apps include everything from games to causes, and they all require access to your personal information. If you’ve ever gotten your official “indian name,” then you’ve granted the owner of that app permission to obtain and use your personal information.
It can be complicated to find the permissions settings for each of these apps, so most people just shrug and say, “Oh well.” But if you are indifferent, you may find yourself vulnerable to phishing schemes and identity theft. If you don’t revoke that permission, it remains active, and the owner of the app can do what it will with your information. And it’s all fun and games until someone loses a Social Security number.
There’s a new website called MyPermissions, and you can find which apps you’ve given access to your information on eight popular social media sites, including Facebook and LinkedIn.
When you go to MyPermissions, you’ll see icons for the eight social media sites, and you can click on the appropriate one. It will take you to the app settings on your profile with that social media site, and you can then take care of it.
This one may be worth a try.
Tags: identity theft, LifeLock, social media
Protect yourself – Learn how to stop the bad guys
January 20, 2012 – 10:56 amTags: identity theft, Identity Theft Prevention, identity theft protection, LifeLock
Nothing new under the sun? Not when it comes to identity theft
January 18, 2012 – 11:17 amIt seems, at first glance, that there is nothing new when it comes to identity theft. But if you scratch below the surface, you see that criminals are forever looking to find new and innovative ways to fool people into giving up their personal or financial information. These criminals are finding loopholes almost before there’s anything to find a loophole in.
According to Informationweek.com, there are 10 security trends to watch for this year. Here are some of them.
1. Breaches will become a fact of life. There have been hundreds of reported breaches, but the scary thing is that there were many more that went unreported. Your information may have been compromised and you didn’t even know it. The challenge for businesses is to find better ways to detect when a breach occurs.
2. Social engineering will increase, and the methods will range from new to rehashed, tried and true.
3. Your smart phone will continue to operate with a target attached, as mobile malware continues to be a threat, particularly when it comes to the marketing of thousands of new apps.
4. Spear phishing will continue to be a threat – and the attacks are virtually unstoppable.
5. Social engineering will rise, as thieves are predicted to spend more time targeting social media sites.
There are many more ways that thieves will work to gain access to your information this year. The best thing you can do is to prepare yourself in the best way possible: Get protection. LifeLock is the industry leader for a reason. Check out LifeLock at www.lifelock.com.
Tags: identity theft, Identity Theft Prevention, identity theft protection, LifeLock
No need for identity theft protection? You be the judge
January 16, 2012 – 1:00 pmThink of any topic, business, or idea. You can bet there are critics out there. People who disagree, and are eager to point out why they are right and you are wrong.
It’s the same for identity theft protection. There are people who believe that there is no need to sign up with any identity theft protection service – to them, it makes more sense to go it alone, for free.
Granted, there are things that you can do for free. You can sign up for online access to your bank and credit accounts, and then monitor those accounts frequently. This does help.
But what about monitoring your personal information online? If you’ve figured that one out, you’re better than most. Most people don’t have the kind of time or the kind of knowledge it would take to monitor all the databases necessary to check for any breach of your personal information.
This is where LifeLock comes in. Not only does LifeLock contact the three major credit monitoring bureaus and have your name removed from pre-approved credit offers, but you’ll also get anytime access to your alerts via the secure Member Portal. LifeLock will also monitor public and court records, and alternate names, and provide you with a monthly report so you know what’s being done to protect you. LifeLock also checks regulated and unregulated databases online.
So the next time you think you can take care of your personal information yourself, stop and think: Can you really? It’s a full-time job. And one you can’t afford to slack off doing. It’s better to leave it to the professionals.
Tags: Identity Theft Prevention, identity theft protection, LifeLock
Getting ready for tax time? Beware these scams
January 13, 2012 – 9:41 amTags: identity theft, irs, LifeLock, tax fraud, tax scams
IRS begins fight against tax fraud
January 11, 2012 – 9:57 amMore and more people are being duped each year as cybercriminals commit identity theft and tax fraud. But the IRS is fighting back.
The IRS has created a special section on its website specifically designed to aid tax fraud victims. The new section includes tips for taxpayers and a special guide to assistance, which includes everything from how to contact the IRS identity theft unit to how to protect yourself from phishing attacks. The IRS is also taking steps to prevent identity theft during the upcoming tax season, and to catch tax fraud before it happens.
Two of the ways the IRS is working to prevent identity theft are a pilot program, which started in 2010, to mark the accounts of deceased taxpayers to prevent misuse, and the use of special PIN numbers for taxpayers. In addition, the IRS is working to speed up case resolution for those who are victims of tax fraud.
If you receive a written notice from the IRS stating that you may have been victimized by an identity thief, you should follow the instructions contained within the letter. If you discover on your own that you may have been the victim of identity theft or tax fraud, contact the IRS immediately so the agency can secure your account. You can contact the agency at 1-800-908-4490. You will also need to complete Form 14039, which is an identity theft affidavit.
Protect your information. Never give out your Social Security number unless you are sure of the person you are giving it to, and that you know how it will be used and what will be done with it afterward. You should also be bold about asking questions about the use and protection of your SSN, whenever it is requested. Don’t be afraid to ask if an alternative form of identification can be used.
Tags: identity theft, Identity Theft Prevention, Social Security card theft, tax fraud, tax fraud prevention
What is skimming?
January 6, 2012 – 10:14 amTags: ATM skimming, identity theft, Identity Theft Prevention, LifeLock, Skimming
Use these four tips to start your new year off right
January 3, 2012 – 10:27 amIt’s a new year, and you better believe that identity thieves are already spending a large chunk of time figuring out new ways to scam consumers out of their personal and financial information and, ultimately, their money.
Identity theft cases have decreased somewhat in recent years, but even so, consumers have lost more time and money than ever before fixing the mess those thefts left behind. What can you do to protect yourself in this new year? Here are four simple tips you can use.
• Monitor your credit report. Know what’s on your report, make sure it’s clean, and check it every now and again to be sure there’s nothing there that’s fraudulent or unexplained. It’s a simple thing you can do to make sure no one is abusing your credit.
• Everyone uses social media. Not everyone is careful about it. Watch what you share online. You can be sure criminals are. Make sure you don’t give away too much personal information, and make sure your privacy settings are as tight as possible.
• Shred, shred, shred. It’s such an easy thing to do. If you don’t have a shredder, spend $20 or so and go get one. Shred any and all documents that bear your personal or financial information before disposal. Criminals aren’t above diving into your trash to get your information – make it impossible for them to find anything they can use.
• Sign up for a credit monitoring service. Face it: you can’t monitor your credit 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But there are services that can, and for an affordable monthly fee. Check out the different services online, and decide which one’s right for you. Let them do the dirty work, and you’ll reap the benefits.
Tags: credit monitoring, financial advice, identity theft, identity theft advice, identity theft protection, identity theft tips, LifeLock, new year
Using cloud sharing can be helpful – but be careful
December 30, 2011 – 10:56 amTags: cloud, cloud sharing, identity theft, LifeLock
Get a new gadget for Christmas? Keep it safe with these tips
December 28, 2011 – 12:10 pmIf you’re like a lot of Americans, you scored some sort of new gadget for Christmas this year, like a new tablet, smartphone or GPS device. We’ve all become so reliant on these devices that we just can’t live without them.
Neither can identity thieves. They count on the average consumer to have one of these devices, and they count on the same consumer to be careless with their device so that the information, whether personal or financial, is much easier to steal.
If you count on your device, then you must be more vigilant about keeping your gadgets and your identity safe. But how? Here are some tips.
• Keep things generic. If you are inputting names, numbers and addresses on your device, don’t use words like “Hubby,” “Best Friend” or “Mom and Dad.” Keep your entries generic.
• Don’t input owner information. This is easy pickings for a thief. If you just have to put this information on your device, lock it when not in use, and use a lock pin or combination that’s hard to decipher.
• Carry your phone or other device in your pocket or somewhere other than your purse. If your purse is stolen, you’ll still have your device.
• Talk to your kids about safety. Make sure they understand how to keep their own information safe on their phones and other devices.
• Stay alert in public. Make sure you know what’s going on around you when you’re out in public. At the bank, shield the pad as you input your PIN. Don’t use your phone to pay bills or access accounts in public places. Never give out your account numbers or PINs over the phone.
Tags: identity theft, identity theft protection, identity theft tips, LifeLock
When it comes to vishing, it’s all about awareness
December 21, 2011 – 11:42 amTags: identity fraud, identity theft, LifeLock, vishing
What if someone calls and offers me a prize – is this attempted identity theft?
December 19, 2011 – 12:18 pmOne of the most common scams perpetrated by identity thieves is also one of the simplest: a phone call.
Phone-based scams occur when a person contacts a victim and asks for personal or financial information under the guise of saying the call is originating from the victim’s bank or credit union, the IRS, or some other agency. Sometimes the caller will offer a prize in exchange for information, such as a recently-reported scam in which the caller offered the victim a free glucose meter.
Often, the caller will already have a portion of the would-be victim’s information, such as name and address. The caller will likely ask for date of birth and Social Security number, or maybe even a credit card or bank account number.
If you receive such a call, remember that your bank or credit union already has this information on file, and has no reason to call your and ask for it. If you are offered some sort of prize, keep in mind that if an offer seems to be too good to be true, it very often is
If you find yourself on the receiving end of a call like this, and are unsure whether it’s really your bank or some other agency, hang up and call the bank or agency directly – do not call the number shown on your caller ID. Use the official number for your bank or other agency instead. You can ask someone if the call is legitimate.
The best advice in this instance is to never give your information out over the telephone if you did not originate the call and you don’t know the person on the other end of the call.
Tags: identity theft, identity theft scams, LifeLock, phony calls
Holiday song everyone SHOULD be singing
December 15, 2011 – 2:48 pmTags: holiday identity theft, identity theft, LifeLock, phishing, Phishing Scams
