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ANTI SCAMS...PROTECT YOURSELF
Beware of identity theft:
It's when someone gets your Name, Social Security number (SSN) and other personal information through devious means. The FTC says it's the fastest growing crime in the USA. It can take
months and thousands of dollars to clear your good name. Prevention is
better than the cure.
(Here are some helpful DON'Ts). Don't carry your SS Card. Don't print your SSN or your Driver's License# on your personal checks and don't put your PIN on any ATM card. If you do, the next thing you know, the bad guys have a credit card in your name and are buying things. No matter how legitimate it sounds, especially when you're called by someone who says they're from your bank or credit card company, don't give out any PINs or passwords or financial or personal info on the phone unless you initiated the call.
(Here are some helpful DOs). Shred or tear up any bills or papers with personal information and all credit applications, especially those pre-approved credit card mailings. Boldly print See ID behind your signature on all your credit cards. Tell the manager of a store or restaurant if your server fails to ask for your ID.
Bad guys have been stealing wallets from lockers at Gyms (and other places). They then call the victim's home and pretend to be the Bank, asking the victim for their PIN to check out some strange activity in their ATM account. Or, they need the info to upgrade your account. If this happens and you give them your PIN, say good bye to your hard-earned cash. Do protect your PIN and your password.
The next time you order checks have only your initials and last name put on them. (Do the same for your phone book listing)
If someone takes your check book they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first and middle name but your bank will know how you sign your checks. If they cash a check with a different signature than you have on file, you should not be responsible for the loss.
Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone.
If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box use your work address.
Never have your SSN printed on your checks. You can add it if necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it. Any clerk at a store or anyone with access to your check, your ID or your credit card can steal your information. All you can do is make it more difficult for them to defraud you.
Have all incoming checks deposited electronically to your bank account. Double check your bank and credit card statements to spot unauthorized activity. Review your credit report at least once a year. Use your birthday as the reminder. Don't put mail with checks or personal information on your mailbox for pickup. Who knows who might pick up that mail. Mail them in a US mailbox or at a Post Office. Stop your mail if you're going to be away from home. Get a secure mail box or a Post Office box for your incoming mail.
Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc.
You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.
Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Take a copy with you when you travel.
Also if your wallet is lost or stolen, here's what to do: Notify your Bank and then also cancel your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know who to call. Remember to keep those where you can find them easily (having to hunt for them is additional stress you don't need at that point!). File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen or lost. This proves to your Bank and credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). Notify your DMV immediately and the folks who send you electronic payments. (e.g.). Social Security, Military retirement etc, et al.
If you are a victim of Identity Theft, call your bank, financial institutions and your creditors. Set new passwords and PINs on all new accounts. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and
SSN. It should foil the bad guys who might make application for credit in your name. Do not pay any part of any bills that are not yours in an effort to protect your credit. That could be viewed as an admittance that the bill is yours. You should not be liable for someone else's fraudulent activity. Get professional advice if any legal issues arise. Also contact your local Police, the Social Security Administration, your local Postmaster, your State Attorney General's Office and your DMV. You can get a new
SSN. It's a felony to misuse a SSN. Check your Credit Reports at least once a year especially for any fraudulent activity. I've read that over 50% of all credit reports have errors in them.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a toll free theft hotline at 1-877-ID THEFT (438-4338) plus a web site that specifically deals with this scam. It's one of the best sites to visit. http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/recovering_idt.html#15
The numbers and web sites for the three Credit Bureaus are:
Equifax 1-800-525-6285. http://www.equifax.com
Experian (formerly TRW) 1-888-397-3742. http://www.experian.com
Trans Union 1-800-680-7289. http://www.transunion.com
Your fraud alert to these credit bureaus means that any company that checks your credit knows your info was stolen and they have to contact you to authorize new credit or a change of address.
Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at 1-800-269-0271. Visit http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs10-ssn.htm
Here's a Privacy Rights Clearinghouse with a lot of good information. http://www.privacyrights.org
For a ton of good info check out this FDIC site: http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnfall97/wallet.html
I hope you never have to use them.
In California call the DMV Fraud Hotline at 1-866-658-5758 or you can email the info to DLFraud@dmv.ca.gov Residents of other states can find the State DMV info through your local Police.
For Travelers...
Purse snatching and pick pocketing can occur anywhere.
Passports should be carried close to the body. (I use a Velcro strap pouch that I wrap around my lower leg) Never carry it in a purse or an over-the-shoulder bag or back pack.
Gangs of thieves operate at Public Transportation sites by preying on jet-lagged, luggage-burdened tourists. Often, one thief distracts the tourist with a question about directions while an accomplice takes a momentarily unguarded backpack, briefcase or purse. This happened to a traveling companion in Milan, Italy in September, 2002. What a mess to try to replace his IDs, Credit Cards, Traveler's Checks, etc. Forget the cash. Thieves also time their thefts to coincide with train stops so that they may quickly exit the car. Many thefts occur at the major department stores where tourists often leave wallets, passports, and credit cards on cashier counters during transactions.
In hotels, thieves frequent lobbies and breakfast rooms, and take advantage of a minute of inattention to snatch jackets, purses and backpacks. Also, while many hotels do have safety latches that allow guests to secure their rooms while they are inside, this feature is not as universal as it is in the United States. If no chain or latch is present, a chair placed up against the door is usually an effective obstacle to unwanted entry during the night.
In restaurants, many Travelers have reported that women's purses placed on the floor under the table are stolen during the meal.
ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) are very common in most countries and provide ready access to cash, allowing travelers to carry as much money as they need for each day. The rates are competitive with local exchange bureaus and an ATM transaction is easier than the cashing of travelers' checks. However, many crimes committed around ATMs have been reported. Travelers should not use an ATM in isolated, unlit areas or when loiterers are in the vicinity. Be especially aware of persons standing close enough to see the PIN being entered into the machine. It's called "shoulder surfing". Thieves often conduct successful scams by simply observing the PIN as it is entered then pushing you aside and stealing your card as it comes back out of the ATM. A traveler recently had his card stolen just as it emerged from the ATM machine by someone who pushed him aside, ran off and charged $850 before the guy could call the USA and cancel his credit card. They are that sophisticated in their thievery.
Check this site: http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/atmcamera.asp
If you don't want to receive any credit card offers just call 1-888-567-8688. They'll take you off the list for 2 years or permanently. It's your choice. See Invasion of Privacy below. Here's a site with tips from the FTC. http://www.consumer.gov
Here's a new one...a buyer for your computer, or some other piece of valuable property, gives you a money order for the full amount. He's got the item and you have a counterfeit piece of paper. Ouch! It could be cash, check or a money order. If given a money order or a cashier's check excuse yourself for a minute or two and call the bank or business that issued it. Give them the number on the document. If it's been stolen or a counterfeit they'll tell you. The safest way to handle any personal sales transaction is to go with the buyer to his/her bank and have them withdraw the funds and pay you in cash. It's a hassle but it's easier than getting ripped off.
Before you get caught up in any of the multitude of Scams that bad guys inflict on the public…usually the elderly, call your friendly local police department to check it out before you commit to sending any money or signing any contract. They have plenty of experience, which will save you time, embarrassment and money.
If someone does call or write and offer you the deal of a lifetime or they need immediate cash, tell them you'll agree to play. However, say you're very busy but will call them back ASAP. Get their phone number if you can. Hang up and call the Police. Ask them what to do. Follow their advice. No matter how nice the bad guys sound, all they want is your hard earned money.
Some bad guys have been sending e-mails saying that they can increase the Internet speed of your computer by 250%. They say its Free and, all you have to do is send them your password. It sounds good but take a moment to think about it. All they need is your password and "Look out Amigo". Don't fall for this or any other Scam by giving anyone your password or PIN, no matter how legitimate the caller sounds. Enough said. Here's an example:
Thefts from cars stopped at red lights are common. Car doors should be kept locked at all times while traveling to prevent incidents of "snatch and grab" thefts. In this type of scenario, the thief is usually a passenger on a motorcycle. Similar incidents have also occurred at tollbooths and rest areas. Special caution is advised when entering and exiting the car, because that offers opportunity for purse-snatchings.
Break-ins of parked cars are also frequent. Locking valuables in the trunk is not a safeguard. Valuables should not be left unattended in a car.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, where you may obtain information about passport replacement. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, or via the Internet at
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.htmlor via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://www.travel.state.gov Carry a copy of your passport, separate from the passport, when you travel outside the USA.
Nigeria Scam: Watch out for the scam where you get an email or a letter from Nigeria or another foreign country saying they need help getting large amounts of cash out of their county. They offer to pay you huge sums of money just for allowing them to transfer the money to your account. They'll not ask for any of your money up front. But, once you respond they'll hook you into sending some money to cover legal and banking fees, etc. Don't do it. You'll be sorry and much poorer if you do.
Invasion of Privacy? Just wanted to remind everyone, and those who haven't already been informed, that the 3 major credit bureaus in the US are allowed, to release your name and mailing address, to anyone who requests it. Most requests come from credit card companies who want to offer you a credit card.
If you would like to "opt out" of this release of information, you can call 1-888-567-8688. This number is provided as a convenience to consumers by the 3 major credit bureaus. It's an automatic system and it only takes a couple of minutes to do. The first "opt out" is only for two years. You may "opt out" permanently. You can also "opt back in" at the same phone number.
Spam email: If there's a link saying click to remove your email address, don't touch it, delete the email. If you click remove, you're telling them that you're for real with a good email address. They'll send more spam and even sell your email address to other spammers. To report suspicious spammers to the FTC forward the spam to uce@ftc.gov.
To get off calling and mailing lists: Go to http://www.donotcall.gov to keep telemarketers from calling your home phone. Or, call 1-888-382-1222
from your home phone to stop unwanted solicitations.
Send your name and address to DMA Mail Preference Service, PO Box 643 Carmel, NY 10512. Tell them to remove you from their mailing list.
Here's a good site to learn more about protecting your privacy. http://www.nclnet.org/privacy/stopcalling2.htm
To cut down on e-mail ads from DMA members, register online at www.dmaconsumers.org
Most online fraud comes from auction sites according to a report from the Internet Fraud Complaint Center
(IFCC). It accounts for nearly 43 percent of all reported Internet fraud in the US.
Non-deliverable merchandise and non-payment accounted for over 20 percent of complaints to the IFCC in 2002.
The Nigerian letter fraud made up 15.5 percent of complaints, while complaints regarding credit/debit card fraud and confidence fraud, were also reported.
The IFCC receive over 50,000 complaints from Internet users every year. Most of the complaints received involved computer intrusion, hacking and child pornography, rather than Internet fraud.
To stop Junk Faxes file a complaint with the
your Attorney General's Office. Go
to your browser and type in Attorney General’s Office followed by the name of
your state.
To file with the FCC go to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html or call them at 888-225-5322. Here's a suggestion from California's Attorney General's Office; file a complaint in Small Claims Court. You can sue for $500 per violation, and up to $1500 per violation if they continue after you told them to stop. Keep copies of the faxes and document all communications with the Junk
Faxers. For more info here are 3 sites:
FCC, http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/unwantedfaxes.html
Junk Fax.org, http://junkfax.org
JunkFaxes.org, http://www.junkfaxes.org
Be safe out there.
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