Protecting Your Smartphone from Fraud Article Content

July 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Samsung SGH-i400 smartphone

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As much care as we take with the things around us, one of our possessions is often bandied about and hardly protected at all; our smartphones. Smartphones are a handheld computer and they should be protected as much as we protect our personal computers. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to protect your smartphone from fraud.

Anti-virus Software – If you can access the Internet or your email via your smartphone, then you need to ensure that it is virus protected. Download a quality and reputable virus protection package and make sure you update it regularly.

Safe Downloading – Taking the same downloading precautions with your smartphone as you do with your PC is important. Never open attachments from unknown sources and only download apps from reputable sources. It doesn’t hurt to run a quick search on the app to make sure there are no negative comments. If an app wants to access personal information or asks you to do something you’re not familiar with or comfortable with, then don’t!

Sharing Information – Text messages can be easily intercepted. Unless you’ve got all sorts of high tech security around your transmissions, like the Kazakhstan President does, then don’t share personal information, like passwords, via email or text messages.

Stay Alert! – You won’t know that you’ve been a victim of fraud unless you look for it. Check your bank accounts and credit card statements for unusual activity. Also, check your credit report frequently for any suspicious activity.

Preventing fraud isn’t difficult if you just take a few simple precautions. Hopefully these tips will help you protect your smartphone from fraudulent activity.

Filed Under: Fraud Awarness

Avoiding Fraud

March 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Avoiding Fraud

If you are in the habit of divulging personal information with little second thought you may want to reconsider. By giving this personal information out you are opening yourself up to the prospect of being scammed and your identity beings stolen from you. This is not worth being careless. Taking the time to get information from those who are asking you to give your information could save you from being in the middle of an identity theft situation. Ask a few questions. Find out what their contact information is and where they are licensed to do business before you go and give over everything about yourself. This is vital to saving yourself from fraud. There are online degree programs available that provides fraud prevention measures and tips.

Another thing to be careful of when you get the call or email saying you have been chosen is your financial information or credit card information. This is potentially the best way to make yourself a victim of fraud. You want to avoid giving out any way for individuals to get potential access to your finances. There are a number of things you can do to avoid this including not giving this information out without first checking the entity reputation. Make sure the person or business you are dealing with has a good reputation and can be trusted with your personal information. Taking these steps may seem like a headache but it is much less a headache then having to clean up the mess left behind after being a victim to fraud and dealing with reclaiming your identity.

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Avoiding Fraud as New Business Owner

March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Avoiding Fraud as New Business Owner

There are many factors that come into play when you are starting a business, especially in the current economy. While many might think this is not the ideal time to start a new business, there are many who believe this is the only way they can be in control of their financial future. Choosing to start a business is a tough decision and there are things such as finding funding. Unfortunately, with times being tough there are many out there who would pray on new business owners who are desperate to get underway. Before giving out any information about yourself or your business, know who you are talking to. Avoiding being the victim of fraud is paramount to getting your business off to a good start.

Do not give out any information without first doing research at online resources like accredited online colleges or other sites on the entity you are giving the information to. Ask them to provide you with contact information, an address and a licensing number if applicable. They should have no problem providing this information immediately. Once you have the information take the time to contact the local bureau responsible for this business type. Ask them some questions about the business such as do they have authority to do business as they are in that area. You may also be able to obtain information on any complaints against the business. Taking the time to process this information could save you and your business from a great deal of heartache and work later in recovering your identity.

Filed Under: Business, Fraud Awarness Tagged With: , ,

Take the Time to Protect from Fraud

March 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Take the Time to Protect from Fraud

There are many things to be careful of in the technologically savvy world that provides the easy way to do just about everything. It can often be so easy in fact that individuals do not realize they are falling into a fraudulent situation. Too often those who are desperate for some good news and something being given to them are ready to give all the information needed for a person or entity to take over their lives and destroy their finances. This is why it is imperative that you never give out any personal information, especially on the internet without understanding who you are giving the information to and how they will be using the information, not just at that moment but in the future. You want to be sure they have no plans to sell your information or allow other affiliated entities the use of your personal information.

Although it is easier to just do everything online and give out personal information without really thinking about it, taking the few moments to ask important questions of the person asking the information could save you from losing your identity and your finances. Never giving information freely is a wise decision when it comes to online information sharing. Avoiding the prospect all together is the best measure. This having been said, if you feel that you want to exchange information do your homework first. Make sure that the entity you are giving the information to gives you all of their contact information and licensing information. Before giving your information out confirm what they have given you. This may seem like a lot of work but it is well worth the effort when you consider you could be saving your financial world.

Filed Under: Financial, Fraud Awarness Tagged With: , ,

Maybe to Good to Be True

February 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Maybe to Good to Be True

Have you ever gotten that telephone call or opened up an email on your hp laptop that says you have been awarded the trip of a lifetime because you have been a devoted customer to such and such? It can be tempting to say that is great when do I leave? However, before you pack your bags and have your mail held for the trip do a little more homework. You may find that when you contact this entity back they want to get you started by asking you a thousand questions all of a personal nature. The voice on the other end of the phone seems so nice and genuine it is hard to be suspicious as they ask you your credit card information to hold for the reservations.

Giving out your personal information can be the start of fraud and identity theft that will have you fighting for your life for years to come. Although it is hard to tell who is legitimate and who is trying to take over your world, spending some time and slowing things down will go a long way to making you safe. Find out all you can about the entity asking the questions before you agree to give them information. Start with their contact information and their address. This is vital in the event you lose them and need to report them with the police. In addition, ask them for any business license information and how they got your information. You may find at this point that they are suddenly unable to answer your questions.

Do not get wrapped up in the excitement without first understanding the score. You do not want to lose everything you have by simply divulging information that should be kept secure.

Filed Under: Fraud Awarness Tagged With: ,

Desperation Can Lead to Fraud

February 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Desperation Can Lead to Fraud

Taking the time to be very careful when handing out your personal information is the only way to be sure you are not being taken advantage of. The current technology that provides an easier way to live life also can make it easier for thieves to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. It is easy when things are tough to grab onto any good deal or offer for help that comes along. This can sometimes be a move that will make things much worse than they already are. The desperate mind will try to do anything it can to change things even if it is something they would normal think was too good to be true.

Reach prepaid card giving some tip to prevent fraud, before giving out your personal information stop and do a little homework and ask a few questions of the person you are about to entrust it to. Find out what their contact information is and any licensing information they may have is. Take this information to their local state government and ask some questions such as is their license in good standing, are they permitted to do the type of business that they may be trying to do and are there any complaints lodged against them with any authorities. This is all very important before giving your information away. In addition, always make sure you know what they will be doing with your information. Some of the companies will not inform you that they intend to give or sell your information to other companies, other affiliates or other third party relations.

Making strides to do the research before jumping in is the best way to avoid fraud and losing what little you have even if it is just personal information they can use to steal your identity. Do not get so wrapped up in a good deal or an offer for much needed help that you forget the basics of personal information.

Filed Under: Fraud Awarness Tagged With: ,

Taking Precautions to Avoid Fraud

February 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Taking Precautions to Avoid Fraud

For those who are already having a difficult time with the economic state of the country it is easy to see how they might be panicked by the possibility of being the victim of fraud. Consumers are being especially careful of how hey handle their money. Taking measures to avoid fraud should be no less important. There are several ways to ensure that you are not taken advantage of and that your money is safe. Taking the extra steps before putting your finances at risk will certainly pay off.

One precaution that every person should take is understanding who you are giving your personal information to. Before you hand out any information concerning your social security number, your bank information or your credit make sure to ask questions of the person interested. The person or entity should be willing to give you all the information you are looking for ahead of time. Use this information to research the person or business with the local authorities. For businesses there are many bureaus responsible for maintaining complaints and other such information.

You should always be cautious about giving your personal information over the telephone. There is no reason for such information to pass back and forth without written applications that you can put your hands on. It is also vital that you are not giving your information out to someone seeking it from you. If you are the one approaching business opportunities you can expect that your information will be necessary, however do not give it to a person or entity that you have not thoroughly investigated. If there are complaints against a particular company you will be able to get this information from your secretary of state’s office.

When handing out personal and financial information like the numbers of your prepaid credit card you want to be sure to ask if they will be giving your information to any third party members or affiliates of their company. Often your information is given once and then passed around to other companies and entities.

Filed Under: Fraud Awarness Tagged With: ,

How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud

January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Long gone all the days where the only images of thieves are those who would break into a residential area to steal whatever is hidden inside. Crimes like breaking and entering still exist but stealing in the new millennium is now a white collar crime. Online hackers and credit card thieves uses high-end technology to steal credit card information unsuspectingly from innocent victims everyday. These days thieves can steal your credit card information straight from the comfort of your own home. They can send malicious viruses and spyware through your computer and logged any information you are typing while shopping online for designer jewelry without you even realizing it. They can also send fake emails straight to your inbox imitating actual business in an attempt to dupe the innocent victim into giving them their credit card information because of misguided trust. What is scarier are the reports of these thieves installing hacking technology where you least suspect it. News report have shown thieves installing hacking information into gas pumps and ATM machines stealing victim’s information right on the spot. However there are numerous ways you can avoid their corruption and save your credit card information from falling into the wrong hands.

1) Regularly monitoring your credit report. Your credit score is your financial health so by routinely checking your credit score you are able to fix any fraudulent activities.

2) Remove any malware, spyware, or viruses you may have on your computer. Thieves can use this to monitor and log your activities online. There are many online softwares that will remove the viruses for free.

3) Check your credit card balance daily. Be sure the charges that shows up in your statement were made by you.

4) Beware of suspicious emails designed to look like ones sent by real companies. An email should never ask for your credit card or social security number. Call the institution to verify any suspicious emails.

Filed Under: Fraud Awarness Tagged With: ,

Preventing Identity Theft

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
LA CANADA, CA - AUGUST 05: Customers shop at ...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Don’t let yourself become a victim of one of the fastest growing crimes today — identity theft. So how do you protect yourself? First, understand what it is, as well as understanding the type of information you need to protect.

It is acknowledged that some information will be public such as name, address and perhaps your phone number. However, other information such as your birthplace, mother’s maiden name, social security number, credit card number and so on, needs to be protected.

How does your identity get stolen? Here are few ways, along with tips to help prevent identity theft.

• Your identity can be stolen through the mail. Make sure you don’t leave your mail in an unsecured mailbox — especially for long periods of time. If you go out of town, have your mail put on a vacation hold at the post office. Purchase a locking mailbox. Deposit mail only in postal service collection boxes.

• Your laptop or computer is a prime location for having your identity stolen. Many of us do not realize how dangerous an unsecured computer is for our personal information. Make sure you install anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, as well as firewalls and security software. You don’t want people looking at your tax calculator and tax returns. Be cautious when shopping online. Shop on secure sites only. If you are using a wireless connection, make sure it is encrypted. If you decide to sell your computer, erase or better yet, replace the hard drive.

• Believe it or not, your trash can be used to steal your identity. Don’t discard any type of personal document that includes bank account information, social security numbers, credit card information and so on. Shred these documents before discarding them, and don’t go cheap on the shredder — get one that crosscuts.

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Filed Under: Fraud Awarness, General Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Practice of Fraudulent Doctors

November 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Not every doctor is as honest as they seem. It appears that all the medical school training and all the years of helping the less fortunate doesn’t always make you more honest. As a matter of fact, if you are interested in seeing the dishonesty, then all you have to do is look at the prescriptions they are writing out. It’s amazing to most people that drug dealers can reside in the halls of hospitals and in doctors offices around the country, but it’s true. These days there are more than a few corrupt doctors out there.

So how do they do it? How do these doctors work their fraudulent practice? The answer is simple. A doctor will see you on the basis that you don’t bill to insurance. So, you forfeit your insurance and pay the cash price for the visit. You go in and the doctor will write you a prescription for whatever you need that ails you. Now, it’s usually standard pain and anxiety medicine.

Once you have gotten your perscription, you take it to your pharmacy, and bill to cash instead of insurance. Then once your perscription runs out, you head back to the doctor. They allow no refills and you have to pay the cash price to visit them again.

The reason the doctor has the visit and the drugs billed to cash is so there is no paper trail. An insurance company will look over all the claims where cash price visits may only be monitored by the DEA. The DEA will only investigate these matters if there is a complaint. Many doctors will fly under the radar for years before legal action is taken.

Luckily, you can always find a good doctor when you use Canada 411.

Filed Under: Corruption, Fraud Awarness Tagged With: , ,
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