Staying Safe Online - Protect Against Online Scams and Frauds
Posted by Tom Craig in Online Frauds Scams
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Banking online is actually safer than traditional methods of banking. In fact, the U.S. government has been urging social security recipients to get their payments via direct deposit. There are fewer errors when you use technology, and there is less fraud. An electronic system makes it harder for scammers to intercept documents and forge forms. In addition, every transaction can be tracked in detail.
Staying safe online just requires a little common sense. Anything that looks fishy probably is—the Internet is full of scams. However, you can keep yourself from becoming a victim by keeping an eye out for the most common scams.
The most common online scam is the phishing scan. This happens when you receive an e-mail from a “bank” asking you to update your account information. They’ll direct you to a Web site, which will ask you for your personal information, bank account numbers, usernames, and passwords. Of course, the site is not really run by any bank. It’s simply a way to gather information from people who fall for the scam. How do you a. void becoming a victim? Simply put, ignore these e-mails.
For starters, you can delete any mail that comes from a bank that you don’t remember opening an account with. If you happen to have an account with the bank referenced in an e-mail, follow up with the bank directly. Don’t just click on a link in the message. Instead, you should call the bank directly, using a number that you know is valid (don’t use a phone number provided in the e-mail). If there really is a problem, they’ll be able to help you on the phone.
Other attacks involve stealing your information from your computer. Software programs may track your communication or your keystrokes, and send that information off to a scammer. To protect yourself from this type of scam, keep your computer secure. Use antivirus and firewall software, and keep other software (browsers, operating system, etc) up to date. I or the most part, you can avoid problems by avoiding shady Web sites and never opening e-mail attachments from people you don’t trust.
Some folks say they don’t bank online due to security concerns. The fact is that their account information is already online—they’ve just never logged in. That doesn’t stop somebody else from logging in, though. Better to control the account yourself!
Finally, keep a close watch on your bank accounts and keep a tight lid on your banking information. Simply telling somebody your account number can expose you to problems, so don’t divulge your banking information over the phone or via the Web unless you know whom you’re dealing with. If you suspect that somebody else is using your account, call your bank immediately.
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