Ding, Dong is someone stealing your personal information
Posted: Sunday, August 14, 2005
by Susan Murphy-Milano
Kindliving Publishing
Each time you log into the Internet, you are announcing your arrival as though you are visiting an old friend. As a consumer and as a user, you need to be very careful when going on line. Each time you visit a site that asks for personal information, and it does not have a privacy policy, SKIP IT! Never fill out information that says "optional." Did you know that codes actually follow you around from site to site. And that's how "computer snakes" as I refer to them obtain your information. To make sure you are protected so the information cannot follow you, there is a consumer protection site that teaches you how to manage and remove your personal information. The site is: www.cookiecentral.com/c_concept.html
Never give out your personal or financial information that may be requested via an email. Maybe you went online to start doing your banking over the internet. All of a sudden you receive an email that looks offical or similar to the site you went on a few days ago, and they are asking you to verify or update your information. Maybe they need your social security number for their records. Or something simple like your mothers maiden name. Immediately contact the financial institution, by telephone, where you originally submitted this information and alert them immediately to report the incident. Or maybe an added user request to an existing account you set up is notifying you for verification or authorization. Again, do not respond to this request by email. Contact the company directly.
Then there are the emails that look like they have been sent by, as an example- America On Line or Pay Pal these emails are very clever and often look like the real thing. But, they are not because you will never be asked to provide personal or financial information or updates to them. It is most like a Fraud e-mail to set you up in order to gain personal information.
Never Respond to the Following:
Your password update, verification and email address combination credit card numbersbank account numberssocial security numbers driver's licence numbers first and last names.If you have given financial information to a suspicious e-mail or website, immediately report this to the issuing institution. Then change you password and secret answers on your account. And at least once a year get a copy of your credit report which will list all bank and financial institution accounts under your name, and provide other indications of whether someone has wrongfully opened or used any of your accounts in your name.
If you have children, there is an interactive site not only for kids, but it provides a menu of resources for parents. Go to : www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/internet/sites.html
If you receive threatening or harassing email, print it out and save it. Then go to your phone book and look up the telephone number for your local US Attorney's Office. Sending this type of e-mail could be a federal offense and this office will be able to provide you with information detailing your options.
Get yourself a good shredder. When you receive those promotional offers for credit cards or lower rates, it is important to shred that information so that it cannot be used by someone else. Always shred anything with your address, personal information, utility bills, phone bills etc., after making your monthly payments. Your trash could be someone else's gold, and they may use this information to take your identity.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Great information about information protection on the internet. I went to that cookies site and immediately removed information and codes on my computer. I will start paying more attention to the emails I open from now on. THANKS!!!
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