Lost a lot by fraud!

From this table (after http://www.ic3.gov), we can see how much lost by different type of fraud. The amount per complaint was a big numer! We have to be careful!

portect yourself

Whether its phishing, pharming or yet another email scam online fraud is still a major problem in North America not to mention identity theft.

how to avoid identity theft?

This video is from youtube.com. it teaches how to avoid identity theft?
Avoid online identity theft
Identity theft is including the social security number, passwords, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, codes and pin, and maiden name.
How to avoid online identity theft?
1. Creating password that difficult to guess and changing them often.
2. Never send sensitive information by e-mail.
3. Never click on an email link to a
l Bank
l Payment service
l Company site
4. We need to review our credit reports regularly.
(Identity is very important for our life, we must protect it carefully conscientious. We would be got a serious trouble if it was stole by someone. )

2009 Identity Fraud Survey Report

Identity Fraud Trends: Overall Fraud Amounts and Incidence Rates 2004-2008

Identity Fraud Trends: Year-over-Year Identity Fraud and Victimization Rates

Understanding Fraudsters’ Avenues of Attack

In 2008, online access, such as using virus-afflicted computers at home or at work, accounted for only 11 percent of the total fraud. Combined with the increased speed of misuse, this trend points to more attacks of opportunity, when a fraudster takes advantage of personal information to which they suddenly have access, such as a lost wallet or watching someone enter their ATM PIN.

It isn’t just strangers perpetrating fraud. More than 10 percent of victims knew their fraud perpetrator. When victims knew their perpetrator, those cases went undetected more than two months longer and cost the victims over twice as much.

• Online is Safer Than Offline When Consumers Use Available Security Controls

Consumers should install and regularly update anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and keep operating systems and browsers updated. Once online access is secure, consumers should move financial transactions online to eliminate many of the most common avenues fraudsters use to obtain personal information and gain more control compared to traditional channels. Moving online includes turning off paper invoices, statements and checks, including paychecks, and replacing them with electronic versions. Avoid mailing checks to pay bills or deposit funds in your banking account. Instead, pay bills online and use remote deposit check imaging services.

• Learn About Identity Protection Services—

There are additional services for those consumers who want extra protection and peace of mind. These include credit monitoring, fraud alerts, credit freezes and database scanning, some of which can be obtained for a fee and others at no cost. At a minimum, consumers should review their credit report no less than once per year, either for free at AnnualCreditReport.com or through many financial institutions’ websites.

The above clip is posted at youtube. It talks about the rise of online fraud. It mentions the money lost due to online fraud is 59 millions! It also rings a bell that even a small detail about a person can cause he or she a target victim.Job scam is on the list of the most popular scams. Everyone is asked to send resume by email. I do it myself too. But it can lead to a fraud. Not only the personal identification , but also a piece of information about a person's interest can start a fraud. The clip warns that you should not click in any link online unless you know what it is.

Too good to be true!

Be careful if you find some products offered online for free. Maybe you have to pay much more in the end if you try to get a free sample or coupon on line.

See the video here:http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/internet-scam-aggressive-sales-tactics-fire-senators/story?id=9099761

online fraud

In the meeting, the goal of commercial companies united in fighting curbing online crime. The new method superseded the old one caused the team can trace an intrusion efficiency. The cyber crime was decrease 0.3% from 2006 to 2007. So the dollar amount had risen from $198.44 million in total monetary value to $239.09 million in 2007. Although the most perpetrated by males, at the same time, the complaints still were majority male.

"The main contact method for fraud was overwhelmingly e-mails and websites. The highest activity for cyber crime was pet scams, check fraud, spam, and online dating sites. "

In this graph was showing us the top ten types of online fraud from 2006 to 2007. The high percentage of the online fraud was auction fraud. The second was non-delivery fraud, and the third was confidence fraud. We must pay particular attention to this three online. However, what types for online fraud, we must not believe the information and some person easily on the web. Communication over the internet is not done face to face; we do not what the real man is. So we need to protect our ID and private information safety when we are chatting or sharing something to someone. We should learn socio-emotional literacy skills to tell right from wrong and good from bad on the web.

http://www.project.org/info.php?recordID=160

How to Protect Yourself Online

Here are a few suggestions on ways to keep your personal information and money more secrue when you go online:

1. Beef up your security.

Personal fire walls and security sofware packages are a must have for those who engage in oline financial transaction. Make sure the computer you are using has the latest security patches, and make sure that you access your online brokerage account only on a secure web page using encryption. The website address of a secure website connection starts whith "https" instead of just "http" and has a key or closed padlock in the status bar.

2. Be careful what you download.

When you download a program or file from an unknown source, you risk loading malicious software programs on your computer. Fraudsters often hide these programs within seemingly benign application. Think twice before you click on a pop-up advertisement or download a "free" game or gadget.

3. Use your own computer if you can.

It's generally safer to access your online brokerage account from your own computer than from other computers. If you need to use a computer other than your own, you won't know if it contains viruses or spyware. If you do use another computer, besure to deleta all of the your" Temporary Internet Files" and clear all of your "History" after you log off your account.

4. Don't respond to emails requesting personal information.

Legitinate entities will not ask you to provide or verify sensitive information through a not-secre means, such as email. If you have reason to believe that your financial institution actually does need personal information from you, pick up the phone and call the comapny yourself- using the number in your rolodex, not the one the email provides!

5.Be smart about your password.

Try using a password that consists of a combingation of numbers, letters, punctuation, and special characters. You should change your password regularly and use a different password for each of your accounts. Don't share your password with others and never reply to "phishing" emails with your password or other sensitive information. You also shouldn't store your password on your computer. If you need to write down your password, store it in a secure, private place.

6.Use extra caution with wireless connection.

Wireless networks may not provide as much security as wired Internet connections. You can learn more about security issues relating to wireless networks on the website of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

7. Log out completely.

Closing or minimizing your browser or typing in a new web address when you're done using your online account may not be enough to prevent others from gaining access to your account information.

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/it/help/safe/protect.html

Example of fraud on the web

This a case about the website fraud, the man who named Gary Kraser, he accused of collecting$40,000 by fraudulently saying he would fly aid to victims.

Gary Kraser had an own website, and claimed he had a plane that he could go to Louisiana to provide medical supplied and evacuate children medical condition. But he needed some funds to suppose his airplane’s fuel. In the meanwhile, he posted something event about he saw people on their rooftops crying for help, and that he had seen dying people and pets in the Louisiana. Then he felt sad because he couldn’t do more. The Gary Kraser hoped someone could donate funds to him to help the people who suffered the disaster. Some people donated the money to Gary when they link Gary’s website. The government says Kraser had posted emotional cries for help to encourage people to send in money. Fortunately, almost people could return most of the gifts to the donors.

This case teach us Don't easily trust others on the web.

http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/03/news/newsmakers/katrina_fraud/index.htm

Identity Theft

What will be your reaction when you are notified that your credit application is rejected? Do you wonder what is happening when you receive a phone call from the collection agency saying that you have a default account? It sounds that your personal information has been stolen. Well, it blames for the technology convenience. Computer spywares and virus soft wares contribute primarily to this kind of fraud. Of course, mail thieves happen too. A statistic shows that a hug amount of money has been stolen from this kind of fraud.

Summary Report Jan 01-Dec 31/2009
Source: The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Other countries Victims $2,244.00
US Victims $119,050.49
Canadian Victims $10,927,475.48

http://www.fixmyuglycredit.com/blog/how-identity-theft/

Socio-emotional literacy skills

Socio-emotional literacy skills are linked with the sociological and emotional aspects of digital communication in a virtue world. For example, people can chat with others you neaver know and share information with them.
The information on the internet can be good or not. Peple who have socio-emotional literacy skills can protect themselves from dangers or bad things on the internet. For example, you can get much useful information from the internet. But you have to bear in mind that some bad information on the internet can lead you to a trouble. You have to be cautious when you accept to do something.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-189198/Chat-room-cheats-breaking-marriages.html

Scamming on the web

Precaution in using internet is a big hot topic. Nobody is not really sure anything about anyone behind the screen. Besides the advantages that internet is servicing, users must pay high attention to protect themselves against scam and fraud on the web.
We hear business scam almost everyday. Business scam is spread by persuasive invitations. The scammer even take advantage of readers’ kindness to invite their donations. This is unforgivable. Readers are scammed even before they are aware of. One of the business scam on the web is credit scam. It is also the most common scam. Other kinds of scams may be lottery scam, auction scam, investment scam, employment scam… According to the link found in canoe.ca posted recently, scams have risen dramatically since 2005.
http://www.saultthisweek.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2505276