Identity Theft

7 principles behind being scammed

Tom Barlow Jan 29th 2010 @ 1:30PM EST Filed Under: Fraud, Identity Theft

The Madoff debacle has many of us wondering just how so many sharp people made such a tragic mistake.

A pair of researchers from the University of Cambridge's Computer Loboratory recently released a report that explains just how we fall victim to scams like Madoff's: three-card monte, the ring reward rip-off, the money machine scam, and the shop phone call swindle. The key? Those darned inconvenient human emotions.

In their paper, Frank Stajano and Paul Wilson broke our vulnerabilities into seven principles:

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Internet Data Privacy Day 2010: How to protect your kids (and yourself) online

Lita Epstein Jan 28th 2010 @ 10:00AM EST Filed Under: Technology, Identity Theft

Jan. 28 is Internet Data Privacy Day 2010 and it's a good day to take time to educate yourself about what you can do to protect you and your data on the Internet. It's also a great time to figure how you can be sure your kids aren't getting into trouble with their activities using the Internet.

Did you know that 93% of kids 12 to 17 are online? Also that the average 2- to 11-year-old streams more online video than their parents? What do they watch? YouTube is a popular spot, where more than 13 hours are uploaded to YouTube every minute.

According to the white paper on Digital Literacy and Citizenship in the 21st Century, "America's children are growing up in the center of a technological revolution. Digital media defines their lives in unprecedented ways; they spend more time online, texting, watching TV and movies, and playing video games than they do in school or with their parents."

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These cookies won't crumble - and your ID could be at risk

Gina Roberts-Grey Jan 7th 2010 @ 8:00AM EST Filed Under: Credit, Identity Theft

No one likes tossing out cookies, but privacy gurus say clearing them off your hard drive is one of the best ways to protect your ID from falling into the hands of online thieves. But if Adobe Systems has anything to do about it, keeping your browser's cupboard free of cookie crumbs is going to remain a task that won't be easy for you to accomplish. And this has identity theft experts worried.

What it means to you
In addition to seeing a lot more ads relating to searches you performed and sites you visited, experts say Adobe Systems' "Flash cookies" (and traditional cookies, too) can leave consumers open to identity theft.

Cookies, the little bits of stored information embedded in web browsers that remember sites you visit, help advertisers target you for their latest marketing promotions. All that personalized attention makes surfers feel known and cared for, as ads claiming such things as "Local mom in (your city) made thousands doing this ..." show up while they're online.

Unfortunately, the cookies, particularly the Flash version, can also lead to your personal details being at risk for identity theft. "Flash cookies can store much more information than the standard cookie, are usually undetected, and can remain indefinitely on a hard drive," says Scott Stevenson, founder and CEO of Eliminate ID Theft, a credit-monitoring agency. And depending on where you're surfing the web, some of that information can be hacked into by identity thieves.

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Medical identity theft: Fastest growing fraud can be deadly

Lita Epstein Jan 2nd 2010 @ 3:00PM EST Filed Under: Health, Fraud, Identity Theft, Insurance - Health Insurance

While you're probably well aware of identity theft and its impact on your credit, you may not be aware of a type of identify theft that can be even more harmful to you personally -- medical identity theft. You may not only end up with bills incurred by the person who steals your identity, but the crime can even prove fatal.

When someone uses your identity, incorrect information gets into your medical files. When you seek care you can end up with the wrong medical history, wrong blood type, wrong allergies and other errors that could end up being deadly for you.

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Zendough: Become one with your money

Josh Smith Dec 20th 2009 @ 5:00PM EST Filed Under: Budgets, Credit, Technology, Identity Theft, Credit Reports

In early January, TransUnion will launch a new personal finance tool called Zendough that, instead of focusing on every transaction you make, aims to help you become one with your money. WalletPop was able to get an early look at the service -- which you can test out with a free, seven-day trial -- and we're impressed overall with the amount of information provided and the easy-to-understand manner in which it's presented.

The first thing you'll notice when you start using Zendough is that the Zen theme runs deep, but rather than being corny, it works. Perhaps it's the calming effect of a bonsai tree, stacked rocks and a Koi pond that makes knowing exactly how much debt you have less of a heart rate elevating experience.

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Online theft not the main cause of identity fraud

Josh Smith Dec 7th 2009 @ 2:00PM EST Filed Under: Shopping, Technology, Identity Theft

For most of us, the terms identity theft or fraud bring to mind fraudulent Web sites that try to phish for our personal information or viruses that send our sensitive data to a criminal. Surprisingly, a new study by Travelers Insurance revealed that the information gathering that makes identity fraud possible most often takes place offline.

Identity fraud has been growing dramatically, by 22% each of the past two years. Based on the incidents reported to Travelers, the number one cause of identity fraud is old-fashioned burglary in which a wallet, purse, other personal identification, or computer are stolen. Theft of personal property was responsible for 78% of the cases of identity fraud with online issues or data breaches only accounting for 14%.

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H1N1 scam spreading like the disease itself; CDC issues warning

Mitch Lipka Dec 3rd 2009 @ 12:30PM EST Filed Under: Fraud, Identity Theft, Consumer Ally

Scammers are now capitalizing on fear of H1N1 (swine) flu and the limited availability of the vaccine to steal people's personal information.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning that an email is being circulated purporting to be about a CDC-sponsored state vaccination program. The email asks that recipients click a link to create a "personal profile" that collects personal information and installs malicious coding on the computers of those who click it.

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Fakes: How scammers are targeting you this holiday season

Josh Smith Oct 28th 2009 @ 1:00PM EST Filed Under: Shopping, Simplification, Technology, Identity Theft

With Christmas less than 60 days away, the shopping season has already begun, which means scammers are on the lookout for some holiday happiness of their own in the form of your money and information. In order to keep you abreast of the latest holiday scams we spoke to Fred Touchette, a security analyst who writes about security threats at the Digital Degenerate for AppRiver, to learn what to watch for as you start your holiday shopping.

Scams don't wait for the holidays, but scammers do take advantage of the increased shopping and distraction when things get busy to take your money and personal information. Fred shared the following three Holiday specific scams with WalletPop so that you don't get taken this year.

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Free paper shredding Saturday

Aaron Crowe Oct 17th 2009 @ 12:01AM EST Filed Under: Fantastic Freebies, Identity Theft

If you don't have a paper shredder and have documents that need shredding, then Saturday, Oct. 17 is your lucky day.

The Better Business Bureau and its partners are holding what they call "Secure Your ID Day" on Saturday across North America to help prevent identity theft.

Papers and floppy disks will be shredded for free on the spot at participating BBB offices.

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