Concerns about Identity Theft

Concerns about identity theft are one of the most common concerns for those who are considering shopping online. Identity theft is a very real concern because unscrupulous individuals who acquire sensitive information about an online shopper can do a great deal of damage to the individual’s financial situation and credit score. Although it is usually possible to correct problems which occurs as a result of identity theft the process of making these corrections is usually long and difficult. Additionally, there are some problems which result from identity theft which cannot be corrected especially if the identity theft was undetected for quite some time.

While identity theft is a very valid concern, online shoppers are not completely vulnerable to identity theft in most cases. However, the online shopper should know how to determine whether or not the information they provide online is secure or not. This is important because while the risk of identity theft associated with online shopping through a secure website is relatively small, this risk is significantly larger when the website is not secure. For this reason, online shoppers should carefully examine the web address for any website in which they submit sensitive information. Websites which start with https:// as opposed to http:// indicate the information is being submitted through a secure server. Most reputable online retailers will provide a secure website for shoppers but some smaller online retailers may not offer this degree of security. If the server is not secure the shopper should consider calling customer service to place the order instead of submitting the information through the unsecured website. 

Dealing with Returns

Another problem which faces many online retailers is the potential for problems which result from the need to return items purchased online. In most cases the return process with online retailers is quite simple and is not more difficult than returning items to a regular store. In fact online retailers who have a traditional store often allow online shoppers to make returns to these locations instead of shipping the item back to the online retailer. However, returns are not always this easy. In some cases the shopper will be financially responsible for the cost of shipping the item back to the online retailer. This can be costly if the item is oversized and could require pricy insurance if the item is expensive. Online shoppers who have concerns about the return policy for an online retailer should carefully review these policies and inquire if they have any questions about the process before making a purchase. 

Misleading Product Descriptions

One final concern many potential online shoppers have about shopping online is encountering misleading product descriptions. This may include product descriptions which are intentionally or unintentionally ambiguous. The concern in this situation is that the shopper will purchase the wrong item or an item which is not as described by the online retailer and the buyer will have difficulty returning the item if necessary. Although this problem may occur there are simple steps the consumer can take to avoid this problem. The simplest solution to this problem is to contact customer service to clarify information about the products offered for sale online. This enables the consumer to speak directly to a representative from the online retailer and verify whether or not the product offered for sale will suit his needs. Based on this information the consumer can then decide to either make the purchase or not. 

It’s a hard pill to swallow when its someone you know. You may feel deep anger and want to just knock them down but you can’t. They may give you the same old lie( I didn’t do this) and blame it on someone else. What if they laughed at you when you told them that you knew? It is tough and it may cause some tension with your relationship.You may get angry with your spouse because he won’t help you. You may think that everyone is devious. It is training and shows you that people are capable of things that you would never do. What gets me are the big fat lies that they tell to over one another. I just can’t stand a thief.

Yes, it is possible that you could be sleeping with a criminal or have one in your home.It is upseting and you may just want to run down the street and scream. That’s how I feel right now. What if they tried something new each time to upset you? Would you try to get pay back or would you just let it go? Perhaps they need help and want you to help them. It is unsettling to say the least. What would you do?

is a time for not only the old scams to surface but for new scams to take root.  While many scams prompt our attention year round, January is the prime time for four new fraudster favorites:

Image by National Library of Ireland on The Commons via Flickr

The month of January

STOLEN IDENTITIES and IDENTIFICATION PASSWORDS AND USER IDs:   This month be especially aware of the many new once-a-year opportunities for scammers, sharks, and thieves to drop by your mailbox and computer to steal what is very precious to all of us.  For example:  thanks to the mailing of tax-filing documents sent by employers, banks, investment firms, and charitable organizations.

THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY CAN BE GRUESOME:  Thieves don’t take a winter break and head to the sunny shores of Florida, Bahamas, or Barbados.  These pros will follow the postal carriers who fill your unlocked mailbox with W-2s, 1099s, financial statements, and other paperwork detailing sensitive information, including your Social Security number-all of it ideal for IDENTITY TAKEOVER by the professional con men that lurk from neighborhood to neighborhood.

HOW CAN STEALING YOUR IDENTITY BE SECURED:  Consider the new year as a time for keeping this 2012 resolution:  NOW IS THE TIME TO CONSIDER SAFEGUARDING THIS MATERIAL!!! 

1. Rent a post office box.  These boxes are quite inexpensive and convenient.
2. install a locking mailbox.
3. Request that your mail be held at the post office for pickup.

REMEMBER:  JANUARY IS PRIME TIME FOR THE “SHARK” TO TAKE BITE ON YOUR IDENTITY AND IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS.  DON’T ALLOW YOURSELF TO BECOME A VICTIM.  TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION “NOW” TO PROTECT YOURSELF!!!

GOOD LUCK!  TAKE NOTE!

Crimes will be noticed it may seem like law enforcement is taking their time but they will be caught eventually. I know a person who strives off of doing harm to another and making  lives miserable. They have been in the criminal mind set for many years but never did any time. When they messed with me they started running scared. I reported it and continue to notify the correct authorities. It does not matter if they are a relative or friend. It does them no justice to pretend like they are not committing crimes because they are. I;m sick and tired of hearing all the fraud, ponzi schemes, mail fraud and identity theft. It is aggravating to have to chase your belongings. I wish that people like that would just pray for help and leave other people’s belongings alone.

You will be amazed of the titles that some criminals hold. Teachers, doctors, lawyers, clergy men, nurses, politicians and security officers. I just wish that the law would put in a little more effort to catch these thieves. I know that they have a lot on  their plates but I want it to stop. Criminals how long do you they you will be free? You will get caught and God knows what you are doing and what you will do next.

Dear Friend

God Bless, My name is Diane Lynn,

I have been diagnosed with cancer and it has eaten deep into my system,

I have undergone laryngectomy,now I’m dying.I have decided

to donate the sum of $15.5 million to you for the good work of the

lord and humanity.

I want this last act of mine to be an offering unto GOD.

Contact my lawyer using email:

Peter J.Wallace

barrpeterjwallac@gmail.com

Send this ref number as well ht/Dlyn/x001 may the good LORD bless you

abundantly,always extend the good work to others.

I got your email from my personal search.

Regards,

Diane lynn

–

This message has been scanned for viruses and

dangerous content by MailScanner, and is

believed to be clean.”

This is how the emotional blackmail begins. You won’t recognize it because you’ll be so wrapped in compassion, sorrow and alarm among other emotions of this heart rendering message. This is the way one of many scam emails began and also how it could be identified. The emotional blackmail is an important aspect of the top ten key scam facts.

The Dianne Lynn scam email got to me because of the brazen manipulation, shameless use and abuse of the sanctity of life. The scam relies on the further manipulation of the human emotions the situation and disease invokes. The recipient responds with compassion and disbelief. It is all too overwhelming. How to recognize scams has become trickier because of the methods of manipulation used. Thus, it is with concerted effort that a Comprehensive On line guide on How to identify Internet / Email Scams with these Top Ten Crime Key Facts has been written.

Identifying Fraudulent Scams

Some of you may know what I’m talking about. I recently opened my email box to find that I miraculously won the Post FIFA 2010 Lottery. Apparently, there were three winners. After attempting to contact my claims agent, Julian Irwin telephonically and via mail, I was nearer to discovering the illegitimacy of the lottery. I Google searched the key words (FIFA, 2010, Post FIFA 2010, Lottery, Julian Irwin). The results pointed me to scam email sites such as scamradar.com, ABSA Bank and the official 2010 website. They all confirmed that the Post FIFA 2010 Lottery is a scam. Scams often look legitimate. Scam artists go to great lengths to ensure that the scam has all the necessary documentation to look legitimate.

Weeks later…within one week my mail box and spam box was filled with my wonderful winnings from the Microsoft lottery to bank lotteries, Coca Cola, Irish Lottery, British Lottery and so many more. Did you perhaps win these too? They didn’t even time their scams to make it believable. In theory, I am now a trillionaire over and over again! However, in reality, I have almost been scammed a trillion times over. Some people have all the bad luck! At the end of the page are links that include quoted emails that I have received and that have been identified as scams.

However, if some of the scam emails that you have received are not listed and you are uncertain of them, please visit your local bank websites and scamradar.com to verify the scam. It is unbelievable how many people from all walks of life are being dogged by these scoundrels. Help stop fraud. The following passages focus on how to identify what you read as a scam.

How to Identify Scams with These Ten Top 10 Key Facts

1. Bad Language, poor spelling and grammar, incomplete sentences and incoherence. Scams are often illogical. I have left all the scams unedited for the purpose of the article. However, do not confuse bad typos, emotional rantings or words written motivated by last minute desperation as scams. These scams are consistently poorly written with little adherence to grammar and attention to language usage. In time, most readers are able to discern the difference, especially in light of of a sequence of emails that are sent to extort money from recipients.

2. Scams are never clear even when they claim to be legitimate. Some are very advanced and hve set up legitimate looking sites to match the ones that they are copying. For example, the United Nations webpages.

Naivity is innocence that is abused because of ignorance that is tolerated. Ignorance is expensive. Get informed, pay it forward and STOP FRAUD NOW!

Relevant Articles and Personal Testimonies about Scams

Facts About Electronic Act Violations. You just got Scammed 

http://factoid.com/fact-about-electronic-act-violations-you-just-got-scammed

How to take action against fraudulent scam emails - Personal testimony is given here of the Maeve Johnson Scam Alert

http://factoidz.com/how-to-take-action-against-fraudulent-scam-emails/ 

If you do get such a message, call your local branch or customer service to check on the status of your account.  DO NOT DIAL THE NUMBER IN THE TEXT MESSAGE, or you may find yourself on the list of victims.  Prevention is way better than any cure.

Image by bsterling via Flickr

1. Never view   your bank records or personal information on a public computer. This can allow others to obtain your information and remove your money from your bank account or obtain personal information about you. Be cautious when you see charges on your credit card which seem suspicious. Also be aware of strange packages showing up at your door that you did not order.

2. Smishing is when someone calls your cell phone and lures you into divulging your personal information. This information can be used to gain access to any or all of your personal information.

3.  Practice extreme caution when shopping online and make sure the website you visit has a phone number or contact address available. This way you can contact someone in extreme cause of fraud or identity theft. Make sure that the company is approved by Better Business Bureau.

4. Never accept a job from a company that requires you to pay upfront money. Also, any company that sends you a check to cash is a scam.  Many individuals are looking for ways to earn an extra income and usually become scammed from various individuals.

5. Purchasing prescription drugs online can be harmful for your health. Do not purchase products that do not require a copy of a prescription online. Sometimes drugs can be imitation and cause you to become ill.

6. Purchasing products viewed on infomercial can have many hidden fees in them. Phone sales agents working for infomercial companies usually try to up sell customers magazine subscription and other unnecessary products. Also, customer might want to purchase one jar of face cream and end up being signed  up for a year supply of  face cream without their knowledge by the phone sales agent. It will be to  difficult to escape these contracts. Do not allow anyone to pressure you into signing up for any program without  knowing all the facts.

How do these crooks get your information?

Typically, you might be given an email from a business that you are well known with that looks actual. It has the company logo, they may cellphone you by name, and the develop of the email is that they are looking out for your best pursuits. This email will advise you of some certain risk to your consideration or card and that you need to take measures instantly or you will experience serious repercussions. There will be a weblink (underlined composing usually in blue) for you to press on that will take you to their web page. And think what? The web page they take you to will look like the genuine thing with the company brand name and all.

Next, you will be requested to authenticate your consideration, code, or card details. If you ever get here, STOP! Do nothing. Do not complete any private details. Immediately quit from this web page and get rid of the fake email that you gotten.

How to know that this is a phishing email

If you did not email this business asking for details about your consideration or for help with a problem, be suspect. If you are still not sure because it looks so actual, cellphone the business yourself and ask. You may discover these statistics on your a month report. If it is after hours and no one is there to take your cellphone, delay until the next day when you can arrive at someone. Don’t fall for the certain risk information and feel that you have to take measures instantly. Phishers are wishing that you will take immediate measures – don’t anxiety and let them technique you into hitting their weblink.

What can you do?

Never give someone your code online or cellphone when it is an unwanted demand. Your card business knows what your code and card amount is. They don’t need to ask you for it.

Likewise, your financial institution knows what your consideration amount and social stability amount, they won’t ask you to recurring it vocally over the cellphone.

Review all of your a month claims every month as soon as they appear. Check for costs that you never made. If your report is ever later in showing up in the email, cellphone and ask why. Protect yourself from these would-be crooks. Don’t let them take your identity! Please remember to Search for www.wheatgrass-fountain-of-youth.info now! Thanks for checking out.

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When someone uses your information without permission for personal gain, it is identity theft. Regardless of how it is obtained or used, it is a crime to use the information without asking. By starting your protection from identity theft, you shrink the pool of possible victims. The commission of an id theft occurs even when the information is simply sold to another thief for use.

Misplaced pocketbooks and purses certainly provide a great source for thieves. Many people who are unaware of how to prevent identity theft will carry all their important information in their wallet. With your information, a seasoned burglar will be able to open numerous credit card lines in your precious good name. Something so small as an ATM receipt, identification cards or ID will provide all the needed information for a fraud against your good name.

Phone call and mail scams are rampant these days. If you are unsure if you are being scammed, do not give out any personal information. Remember it is harder to prevent identity theft when you are in the middle of the situation.

Make sure you have secured all important bank and credit details in one safe place to help ensure your identity theft protection. Purchase a post office box for extra security against mail burglars. Identity fraud protection will be enhanced if you just say no thank you to that phone solicitor. Or protect your identity by making the solicitor tell you the information they are inquiring about, and you will verify it with a yes or no. Ask the solicitor where they are from and look up the phone number yourself and call them back. It is easy to be given a bogus phone number.

Read the printed information provided by your bank, and ensure they will never ask for personal details. Have you ever noticed the IRS tells you on their website that they never send out emails? But every year successful scams are prevalent. Prevent identity theft by researching the source of the call, mail, or email.

Checking your credit reports regularly is a great way to begin your identity fraud protection. Make sure you have copies of all your information at home in case you are the next victim.