Safe Internet Blog

It’s gorgeous around here this time of the year in Minnesota (mid October!).  In what is considered the coldest state in the continental US, a mid October weekend of mid 50s was amazing.
However, the weekend was blemished by one serious event which I later found had happened to ruin several other people’s days as well.

What I’m talking about are two companies that join the rank of human scum – scammers Assistuhelp.com and BSBD Online (I have no idea what website BSBD operates).
For no real reason, on Saturday I happened to check my account balance.  I noticed I was about $70 short in my account, and checked my history.  To my surprise, I found two charges in the amounts of $38.88 and $29.89 sitting in my pending transactions.  After doing some digging, I found Assistuhelp.com to be, what looked like, a company similar to CCbill and other credit card processors for various online transactions.  I couldn’t even find a website for BSBD Online, which was the 3rd red flag in this whole ordeal (the first two being that I didn’t authorize these two transactions).

I called my bank, and, for what seems like the first time, they were on my side and helped me out immensely.  When I called to dispute these charges, the person on the other end immediately knew what two I was having an issue with, and certainly didn’t have a problem transferring me to the fraud department, where they promptly reversed both charges, canceled my card, and got me set up with a new card.I’m just glad that I found it right away and not a few days later, or after paying some bills.

When I got home, I did some research and found several websites with thousands of people complaining about these scumbags.The transactions occured during the last few days, so from what I can figure out these are new scams that will hopefully get shut down soon.
Now, granted, the internet is full of braggers and people who like to exaggerate, but I’m sure several of the complaints on the websites I visited regarding these scams sending accounts negative and incurring huge overdraft fees were legitimate.

What tops all this off, is that these credit card transactions are for, from what I can tell, pornography websites.  Now, if are in a situation where pornography is offensive to you or your loved ones/significant others, this can cause even more stress and emotional turmoil on top of getting your transactions reversed, getting your card canceled and your money back and having to start over fresh with a new card.

Obviously insert guidelines for the internet here -
Always make sure before entering credit card info that the site is secure and protects your information (you can tell because the address should start with https:// and not http://.
Don’t use your card on a site you don’t trust or don’t feel comfortable with using.  If they don’t have a contact us email and/or phone number (my preference is the phone number) easily visible and accessible, it might not be worth the trouble.
Keep an eye on your bank account on a daily basis.  These scum think that they’ll hit thousands of people (probably bought a list of card numbers from an even bigger scumbag who sells them) and hope that some of these transactions will stick because not everyone will notice the $70 missing from their account.

Just be careful online, it’s a scary world out there when you get away from the top 100 sites or so.

Not trying to be pushy, but if you find yourself in need of camera repair or know somebody who does please check out the one truly affordable digital camera repair shop I have found anywhere on the internet: Darntoothysam.com.

Safe Internet Blog Assistuhelp.com, BSBD Online, credit card fraud, credit card scams, fraud, online scams

Identity theft refers to stealing of identity of someone by the thief. Identity theft can be of many types. In general, identity theft can be referred stealing such a private thing which is very private to some one and has some very private data in it.

This private data, if wrongly used, can cause loss to that person. These private things can include your mobile phones, credit cards, ATM cards, computer data, hard drives, pen describes and even your face! Surprised? But it is true; cases have been noticed of stealing faces of someone.

Criminals undergo plastic surgeries and steal some one’s face. His is perfect stealing of one’s identity. All such cases come under identity theft. Identity theft is usually done for gaining economic profits. This is some what modern technique of stealing some ones money.

When we think of criminals we have thought of someone with shot guns and stealing whatever we have. But as changing times have brought in newer technologies, there have been rise in what are called as sophisticated thieves. They are all around you and keep watching you without you noticing them. Then at right time, they steal your very private data and now that they have obtained your identity, they are free to get profits on your accounts but for them.

How credit card theft causes identity theft?

You should be very careful while dealing with our credit cards at public places. Public places are full of criminals every where. Main thing to remember is that you never notice them. They are watching you all the time and try to steal some moment to know something very personal to you.

Some times it happens that when you are entering your credit card number while paying off your bills, you should take extra care of hiding your secrete pin number from other people. May be someone is watching your pin number entered and then it just the matter for him to steal your card. Stealing card from your pocket is very easy for such criminals. So now they have your card as well as your secrete number. And they start profiting on your account.

You don’t come to know about such frauds until you get credit card bill at the end of the month. There have been cases noted about criminals coming to your home and pretending to be the card provider company executives. They say that your card is not working properly and that you have to replace it. They take away your card for replacement purpose and then it’s easy for them to make money out of it.

Steps to take after identity theft credit card fraud

First step to take is that contact the provider company and let them know about the incident taken place. You just have to answer some questions for verification purpose which are very personal and which are known only to you such as your mother or grandmother’s name.

Then they block any further transaction from that card. This prevents more losses to happen to you. Important is to launch a compliant with the police department and then help them in carrying further investigations.

John Goldman is an expert in matters relating to Identity Theft and Identity Fraud.To learn more about things that can help you to detect and avoid ID theft and fraud http://www.idtheft-breakingnews.tv“> view our Identity Theft and Fraud website

Safe Internet Blog credit card and identity theft, credit card fraud, steps taken after credit card fraud

Identity theft is a definite threat to us all, effecting hundreds of people everyday across the globe. There are insurance policies that can be taken out in order to cover yourself against ID theft, but this may not be necessary, as there are a number of measures you can take to help you to avoid becoming a victim, most of which rely on simple common sense.

ID theft is a technique used by criminals allowing them to benefit financially through claiming they are you, for example taking out loans, applying for credit cards etc. all in your name.

One of the issues with when dealing with this type of fraud is that police have limited resources, especially as the majority of these criminals don't even live in the UK.

Doing all you can to avoid becoming a victim of ID theft is easier than you may think and being aware of the following points could save you a lot of grief.

1. Always make sure any important documents and financial related documents containing sensitive information are kept out of sight in a safe place. These include official documents such as passports and driving licence documents, as well as financial documents such as bank and credit card statements, bank account details, insurance documents etc.
2. Frequently monitor your bank accounts and credit card statements to ensure there are no suspicious transactions. If possible, set up internet banking for all banking products as this will allow you to regularly check statements without having to wait for your monthly statements. Online banking is also very secure, with many banks now providing customers with card readers which generate pass codes that must be used when logging in to your account, or making a payment. If you do notice anything that looks suspicious, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately.
3. Buy a paper shredder. You can pick one up from £5 to £30 and you can use it to shred any official documents that you don’t need to keep. This includes bank statements, loan or credit card application forms and even junk mail containing any of your details i.e. name, address, telephone number etc. Simply throwing these documents away could result in them falling into the wrong hands.
4. Make sure you are aware of when your regular financial documents arrive, ensuring you are aware of anything out of the ordinary, for example you haven't received your credit card bill for 7 weeks.
5. At least once a year, apply for a copy of your credit file to check all current finance arrangements in your name, allowing you to spot anything unusual.
6. Never give out sensitive information over the phone unless it was you that made the call or are 100% sure that the call is legitimate. For example, you receive a phone call from somebody claiming to be your credit card provider and they request personal information such as your full name, DOB and Mother's maiden name. These are types of information that fraudsters will want to get hold of, so be vigilant.
7. Never trust emails claiming to be your bank or Credit Card company. Some of these emails can look extremely convincing and the irony is that many of them claim to require your details to help tackle fraud. You can usually spot these emails as the URL that you are required to click may appear to be the official site, but on closer inspection you will see it is in fact close, by hovering your cursor over this link. You will then be re-directed to a spoof page that looks genuine but is actually used to steal your login details
8. When moving house, subscribe The Royal Mail’s redirection service. This will ensure that any mail intended for you is delivered to your new address.
9. Check your bills as soon as they arrive in the post. If you ever spoy anything out of the ordinary, it is recommended that you contact your bank or credit card provider as soon as possible.

There are a few main techniques employed by criminals to carry out ID theft. These include:

Bin Diving

Going through your bins searching for bills or other documents containing your personal information.

Skimming

Used to steal credit/debit card numbers using a special storage device. The riak can be reduced by keeping your card on your person or in view when using it to make payments.

Phishing

Claiming to be a legitimate financial institution to gain your trust then push you to reveal your personal information.

Changing Your Address

Diverting your bills, statements and other sensitive documents to another address by filling out a change of address form.

Old-Fashioned Stealing

Stealing wallets; mail etc. to get enough information about you.

Pretexting

Used to obtain personal information from a number of sources such as financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources by impersonating you

Once your personal information has been stolen by an identity thief, they can use it for a number of different things.

Credit card fraud:

• A new credit card can be applied for in your name. The card can then be used to get credit and all unpaid bills will appear on your credit report, damaging your credit history.
• By changing your address, they could run up charges on your account but you will be unaware as you are not getting the bills. It could be some time before you notice anything unusual.

Phone or utilities fraud:

• A new phone or wireless account could be opened in your name, or even utility services like electricity, water, or satellite television.

Bank fraud:

• Counterfeit checks made with your details.
• Bank accounts opened in your name.
• Credit or debit card cloned allowing them to use your cards.
• A loan taken out in your name.

Government documents fraud:

• Used to get official ID cards such as a driving licence under your name but with their picture.
• Use of your details to get government benefits.
• Fraudulent tax return made using your information.

Other fraud:

• Qualify for a job using your personal information
• Rent a property in your name.

These days, most banks have intelligent anti-fraud systems that recognise any unusual activity on your card, for example you withdraw money from a cash point in the UK and later that day money is withdrawn from an ATM  in Canada. 

Most credit cards offer some kind of anti-theft insurance, protecting you against fraud. But the fact is that ID theft is heavily promoted and sometimes over exaggerated to help sell the product.

A spokesman from the UK's fraud Prevention Service - the CIFAS, has ID theft is still a relatively rare crime, but it is on the increase.

So as long as you’re cautious with who you give your personal information to, keeping it in a safe place, shred all unwanted documents containing your information, you should remain safe from fraud.

Safe Internet Blog bank accounts, credit card fraud, credit cards, id theft, identity theft, loans, phishing, Skimming

There are many ways that credit card identity theft can be conducted. It can be through the obtaining of your personal information and then making a purchase with your credit card, obtain tax returns illegally or making claims.

The problem is most people would rather bury their heads in the sand when it comes to credit card identity theft. Your credit card contains a great deal of personal information and once you become victim of credit card identity theft or online identity fraud then you never really stop. The consequences are that you will be billed and you can even be fined or spend a prison sentence, unless you can prove otherwise, which can be quite difficult.

The point in solving the problem is that people need to be more cautious about the use of their credit cards in store and online. Do not assume that everything is safe. Most credit card identity theft seems to occur in gas stations and that is the worrying trend, as these are places that people often use on a daily basis. However because of this they also make an easy target for people who either want to make a quick buck or just want to fund some criminal activity.

Credit Card Identity Theft Is Not Only Rife In The Virtual Domain

It is clear then that credit card identity theft does not only happen in the online market. What this has lead to is people preferring to have cash more than having to risk using their credit cards. The credit card identity theft and identity theft in general is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world.

With globalization comes this and you should always be prepared to protect yourself. The worst thing about credit card identity theft is that you will not know about it until it is too late and by then you have to prove that you are who you say you are. It is the expansion of in use of the stole identity that is worrying authorities.

People can now forge some advanced documents that will make them claim to be someone that they are not. They can then explore many different avenues in which to exploit the system. Never underestimate a determined and desperate mind as it might come up with some genius but criminal way of making money.

Always invest in software and machines like a shredder that will make it easier for you to dispose of letter or items that contain your personal information. And always double check sources to ensure that they are who they say they are.

Go here for more about Identity Theft Facts and Avoid Identity Theft

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Online identity fraud is becoming an increasing problem. With the virtual world practically very small it is clear to see why so many people fall victim. The world’s criminal identity theft government agents are trying to curb the onslaught on society but like so many cases it is easy to see how it could’ve been avoided. Never assume that you are immune to online identity fraud.

Online identity fraud takes a certain amount of knowledge but it can be easily executed. There are so many unsolicited emails that people get everyday and they are not cautious about opening them. Often when you are required to put in your personal information in a website you should always want to ensure that it is legitimate.

This means that they have adequate systems in place that will ensure your credit card is safe. If you are still worried then you should be able to contact the website, preferably by phone so as to reassure your fears.

However most people fail to do this and they will easily and quickly put their credit card and personal details without second thought. They then wonder why they are suddenly part of the online identity fraud statistics.

Online Identity Fraud Is About Knowing Your Purchase.

If you have not request a certain item even though it might seems extremely tempting then you should always delete that email. Be very frugal when it comes to who and where you distribute your personal information.

Stupidity is no longer a reason for falling victim of online identity fraud as much information on protecting yourself is available. The more you know and act on the knowledge the easier it will be for you not to end up part of the victim list of online identity fraud.

These are your finances that are at stake and you should always put those first. Do not always make assumptions and try to have facts that back you up.

Most legitimate website provide you with a customer number that you can call if you feel uncomfortable with the security. Your personal information is there to make your life easier but if it can be easily accessed then there is no but yourself to blame. The more precautions you take the more enjoyment you can get out of your credit card.

By keeping regular checks of your credit cards and bankcards you can make it harder for criminals to get away with stealing your money. Online identity fraud protection is about being buyer savvy and criminally aware that the world might not be as a nice place as you thought.

Go here for more about Identity Theft Facts and Avoid Identity Theft

Safe Internet Blog avoid identity theft, credit card fraud, criminal identity theft, identity theft, identity theft facts, online identity fraud

If an individual has been the victim of identity theft they will realize the nightmare involved as a result of this criminal act.  First of all this is a very personal crime.  In fact, it doesn’t get much more personal because the name, integrity and reputation of a person are violated.

In addition, because of the criminal financial acts that are done by the thief posing as their victim, the good financial standing and integrity of the innocent individual can suffer irreparable harm.

Therefore, it is important to know what to do if an individual is a victim of identity theft.  This identity theft recovery can be accomplished through a number of steps.  Those steps leading to identity theft recovery include notifying the authorities and writing the three credit bureaus.

Notifying The Authorities

If an individual senses or knows that they are a victim of identity theft, they must immediately contact the authorities.  Those authorities include the financial institution in question.  Those financial institutions could include credit card companies, revolving charge companies, banks, etc. 

In addition, to begin the process of identity theft recovery, it is important to notify law enforcement.  This is important because identity theft is a crime.  Therefore, the local police department should be notified.   This action will ensure that the proper documentation is filled out which will begin an important timeline in the identity theft recovery and help to reduce any possible liability.  If the police are unfamiliar with the process it is critical that the individual notify the appropriate department at the FBI as soon as possible. 

Writing The Three Credit Bureaus

One other important action to take immediately to begin the identity theft recovery process is to notify the three credit bureaus.  These three bureaus are Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.  In fact, if one credit bureau is notified the other two will be notified through electronic means by the one bureau.

Following this notification, the three bureaus will flag the victims account with a fraud alert warning.This flag will be accomplished within 24 hours of being notified that the potential of identity theft has been indicated.

In addition, the process involves the stoppage of all pre-approved credit card applications.  This act is taken by the credit bureaus to prevent the opening of any unknown credit card accounts being opened fraudulently.Additionally, the monitoring of this process and oversight of the credit bureaus is a minimum two year process on behalf of the individual.

Go here for more about Identity Theft Facts and Avoid Identity Theft

Safe Internet Blog avoid identity theft, credit card fraud, identity theft, identity theft facts, identity theft recovery

Online identity theft is becoming a serious concern for many people. While it seems that most online retailers will ensure that your personal information is protected it is still very much your responsibility not to display this information. The most widely used way of online identity theft is through social websites.

People seem to have no qualms about displaying all their personal details. In most countries it is not very hard to find out information about people just through their date of birth and home address. These people who partake in online identity theft have no morals and will do whatever it takes to fund their own needs and most of us are easy targets without even knowing it.

Most people seem unaware that once they put their personal information on display then they are also putting themselves at risk of online identity theft. However there are secure ways of paying for online goods that will put you less at risk such as using paypal and e-gold and such widely used online financial institutes that have already developed strategies to help combat online identity theft.

Online Identity Theft Is Not Only Virtual Heartache

The key is being cautious about where you display your information. The major problem with online identity theft is that you become vulnerable as anyone with the wrong intentions could use your identity to perhaps get a credit card, a loan.

The fear of this is that mostly terrorist groups would take on such an endeavour and this often leaves you holding the bill. You could indirectly find yourself funding terrorists activities, just because you were willing to give your information to any website that requested it.

The problem is that if someone does use your identity to take out a credit card you are the one left paying the bill. People are too willing and trusting of the million websites that require you to put in your information.

It is not hard for people who really want something to find it and if they want to use your identity then they will. It is better to be safe than end up part of the identity theft statistics.

In ensuring the safety and comfort of society the government needs our help in assisting them with the rising cost of the online identity theft. The problem is that this money funds global criminal organizations which in turn come back to vandalize or terrorize our countries. All it takes is some proactive action whereby you do not display your personal information as if it does not mean anything.

Go here for more about Identity Theft Facts and Avoid Identity Theft

Safe Internet Blog avoid identity theft, credit card fraud, identity theft, identity theft facts, identity theft statistics, online identity theft

In days gone by if an individual had been the victim of a theft they would have known right away.  This is because the thief would generally steal tangible items.  Those items could have included stereos, televisions, jewelry, money, etc. 

However, today, not only are tangible items stolen, but intangible items as well.  Specifically, one of those intangible items that can be stolen is a person’s identity.

Identity theft is when a thief intercepts or steals personal information and then utilizes that information in an effort to pose as their victim.If they are successful, the thief can access the financial information of that individual and worse open up new accounts allowing the individual to illegally obtain merchandise and ruin the good name of the victim.

Therefore, it is important to implement identity theft solutions.  Some of those identity theft solutions include the proper disposing of mail and requesting a credit report on a consistent basis.

Disposing Of Mail

One of the primary identity theft solutions to preventing this type of thievery is properly dispose of unsolicited credit card offers that are received through the postal service.  Often these credit card offers are sent out by credit card companies in hopes that individuals will take advantage of low teaser interest rates.Generally, the credit card companies are just looking for new customers and often do not conduct significant research regarding the financial background of the potential customers that they mail to.

Obviously, this can be a formula for disaster.  Specifically, the mail recipient does not know that these offers are being sent nor does the credit card company know the potential customers that they are mailing these offers to.

Therefore, a simple identity theft solution is to adequately destroy all credit card applications that are not acted upon.  That process should include the shredding of all documents prior to them being placed in the trash.

Obtaining A Credit Report

In addition, another primary identity theft solution on how to avoid identity theft is to check one’s credit report on a regular basis.  This can be accomplished by writing one or all of the three credit bureaus and requesting a personal copy of the individual’s credit report.  This credit report can also be accomplished by going online.

When a credit report is received it is important to look for any suspicious activity or opening of a credit card without one’s knowledge.If any suspicious activity is noted it is important to contact the credit bureaus immediately as well as the financial institution that is involved.

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While the unauthorized use of personal information can have a devastating affect on many people, having ID theft insurance can help pay some of the costs of restoring their personal identity. Unfortunately, many people do not realize how susceptible they are to having their information gleaned by others and opt ignore the potential of having their identity compromised. Especially those whose credit scores are in or near the basement may not believe their information holds any value, but thieves often use stolen information for uses other than financial and may want to consider ID theft insurance.

Persons can use stolen information to obtain a driver’s license and if stopped for a traffic violation and simply not show up in court, leaving the victim to answer to the charges. While most policies for ID theft insurance center on recouping the financial losses associated with these case, ID theft insurance can also help pay for legal assistance when it is needed.

Like most types of insurance ID theft insurance comes in many forms and from many different sources. When looking for coverage it is important to choose a reputable company as well as the type of coverage that will most likely affect the individual. Those who travel frequently or use the internet for frequent purchases may want to consider ID theft insurance that covers them against unlawful purchases made on their behalf.

Keeping Personal Information Out Of Cyber Space

With more people choosing to shop online as well as perform many financial functions over the internet online identity theft continues to be a growing problem. Many people have become comfortable with sharing their information with companies online and often do not think anything bad will happen to them. Having ID theft insurance might also make them feel a little more relaxed, opening themselves to exploitation by others who only want their good name for their own purposes.

Utilities often require confirmed information when opening new accounts and many utility companies are not as strict as most lenders. For many victims of ID theft insurance policies can help cover any losses due to charges being made in their name. Most ID theft insurance companies also recommend not buying the policy on the internet unless the company is well known to the individual.

Businesses can also take advantage of ID theft insurance to protect the reputation of their business from nefarious individuals who, if left to their own devices, can soon own the business or run it into the ground.

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Identity theft statistics put things in perspective and what they have been revealing can be quite shocking. It seems that one in eight people has fallen victim of Internet identity theft. The reason is clearly that people are not being very cautious about how they protect their identity.

Most of the identity theft statistics also show that people can have their identities stolen through people rummaging through their rubbish bin. People often don’t take too much care on how they dispose of their bank statements letters or personal information contained in their resumes.

In this you can easily see that these identity theft statistics prove than investing in a cheap shredder. Internets identity theft can be preventing through installing and using firewall on you PC. There are many avenues that perpetrators use to get hold of your personal details. Therefore getting yourself off mailing lists can help in cutting down the identity theft statistics.

Your mail can be stolen from your mailbox so always ensure that you have a proper mailbox, ideally your mail should be mailed inside your house. There are many ways that you can help in cutting down the identity theft statistics and protecting yourself means that you have less heartache down the line.

Public Computers Can Make You Part Of The Identity Theft Statistics

The government agencies are really keen on getting accurate identity theft statistics as they understand that the better they are informed about how identity theft is happening and where the better they are at equipping us with the right information.

There is no need for you to fall victim to scrupulous individuals who do not care what they do with your identity and what the consequences are to you. The greatest fear is that terrorist activities are getting funded through identity theft.

Furthermore people are making claims using identity theft and raking in millions. It is costing some countries billions of dollars to combat these identity theft statistics, as people are finding themselves suddenly on the wrong side of the law without even contributing to it.

Always aim to know about your finances and passwords are important. Try not to use public computers if you intend to check out personal information like online baking. Always keep your password in a safe place and make it impossible to guess by using a scrap word whereby you jumble up a lot of letters and have your password in there so no-one can guess. These entire things will hep in keeping the identity theft statistics low and therefore protect more people from becoming victims.

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