The Better Business Bureau has just reported that identity theft online is much less prevalent than identity theft offline, contradicting the fears and perceptions of many. In fact, 89-percent of the identity theft is committed offline with 50-percent being by someone who is close to the victim (family member, relative or friend).
In 2004, 11.6-percent of identity theft occurred because of computer crimes most of which (6 – 7 percent) can be attributed to spyware on the users PC. Online transactions account for approximately 3-percent of the identity theft. Even at this low percentage, identity theft is bad news for the consumer so here’s what you can do to protect yourself online.
How you can avoid being defrauded by identity theft online
1. Avoid Phishing schemes. Never give out personal info such as logon, password, credit card info or social security number when you receive an email asking for such information. Contact the vendors directly, not through the email. Some of the Phishing scams have included such big names as Ebay, Paypay, Wells Fargo. Make sure you go to their legitimate website (such as ebay.com or paypal.com) to report such activity and not a bogus site set up to snatch your info.
2. Install anti-spyware software on your PC
3. Install a Firewall and Virus Protection on your PC
4. Monitor your bank account online (those who do monitor online experience 1/8 the losses than ones who monitors their accounts through paper statements)
5. Be wary. If it smells like it could be a scam it probably is.
Even though it is safer to fly than drive and buy online than off, the perception still continues that one if much more dangerous than the other, though the facts say otherwise. The important thing is to take logical measures that will give you peace of mind, with both your online and offline transactions. A paper shredder for offline and security software and common sense for online transactions will go a long way to securing your own identity.
Who’s on first? I Don’t Know. No, I Don’t Know is on third and he’s not giving out his credit card number in response to an email asking him to update his account.
Abbott and Costello Online Security Preparedness Training has finally come into its own.
I usually submit my phishing scams to Phishtrackers(dot)com many seem to get listed in google so others find out about the fraud.