Don’t Let the Grinch Steal Christmas
Posted by: Timothy Weaver on 11/08/2016 06:48 AM
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How can criminals steal your identity this coming holiday season?
Criminals aren't looking for the few dollars you have in your wallet. They are looking for more lucrative gains such as your driver’s license, SSN, debit cards, insurance cards and credit cards.
1) Stealing your wallet: a stolen wallet is gold to criminals. Your driver’s license, credit cards, debit cards, and health insurance cards can be worth $20 to $200 or more.
2) Opening your mail box: Criminals can go through your mail box and steal bill payments, credit card apps, insurance cards, and other personal information.
3) Dumpster diving: Your thrown away credit card applications, credit card statements, bank statements should all be shredded.
4) Phone scams: Never give out personal data to people who can you, no matter what the excuse. Always look up the name of the institution rather than call back a phone number give by the caller.
5) Phishing: One of the more common ways to gather your personal info. Do not click on links from unknown senders. Be wary of emails that appear to come from known senders. Always call to verify the source.
6) Keystroke logging: Be aware of any odd looking ATM slots or gas station credit card slots. Criminals install devices that can record your credit/debit card and pin numbers.
7) Hacked public Wi-fi hot spots: Do not do financial transactions at public Wi-fi hot spots.
8) Out of date software: Always keep your software up to date. Criminals live on unsecure flaws.
Be safe this holiday season and practice safe shopping.
Source: Norton
Criminals aren't looking for the few dollars you have in your wallet. They are looking for more lucrative gains such as your driver’s license, SSN, debit cards, insurance cards and credit cards.1) Stealing your wallet: a stolen wallet is gold to criminals. Your driver’s license, credit cards, debit cards, and health insurance cards can be worth $20 to $200 or more.
2) Opening your mail box: Criminals can go through your mail box and steal bill payments, credit card apps, insurance cards, and other personal information.
3) Dumpster diving: Your thrown away credit card applications, credit card statements, bank statements should all be shredded.
4) Phone scams: Never give out personal data to people who can you, no matter what the excuse. Always look up the name of the institution rather than call back a phone number give by the caller.
5) Phishing: One of the more common ways to gather your personal info. Do not click on links from unknown senders. Be wary of emails that appear to come from known senders. Always call to verify the source.
6) Keystroke logging: Be aware of any odd looking ATM slots or gas station credit card slots. Criminals install devices that can record your credit/debit card and pin numbers.
7) Hacked public Wi-fi hot spots: Do not do financial transactions at public Wi-fi hot spots.
8) Out of date software: Always keep your software up to date. Criminals live on unsecure flaws.
Be safe this holiday season and practice safe shopping.
Source: Norton
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