Posts Tagged With: identity theft

Each day, more and more scams surface through computers, tablets, cellphones, and other smart devices. To protect your personal information and to avoid being a victim of fraud, the following actions are recommended:

• Keep operating systems, browsers, programs, apps, and security components up to date.
• Be aware of the latest scam techniques being used by fraudsters. Search online to learn about current scams.
• Enable firewalls for your computer and router.
• Install an antivirus program for your computer, tablet, and smartphone that updates automatically.
• Create a guest network for visitors to your home to use, to avoid them having to access your home network.
• Don’t click or respond to emails, phone calls, or text messages from strange addresses and those with unusual subject lines.
• Update passwords often with a random, complex series of letters, numbers, and symbols; don’t use the same password on different sites. Consider use of a password manager. 
• Use only reputable sites when shopping online. Use a credit card instead of a debit card for greater financial protection. Don’t click on links or pop-ups, which can be a fake, look-alike website; instead, go directly to the shopping website.
• Adjust privacy settings on your devices, and for websites you visit for your best protection.  
• Regularly back up your data in case of a malicious attack, so you don’t lose access to your information and files. If you encounter a ransomware attack, file a report with the FBI.
• Avoid use of public Wi-Fi to prevent potential fraud and identity theft.
• Be cautious with your social media posts, especially information about children and teens. Don’t post personal information, vacation plans, work and home schedules, address or other contact information. Don’t “check in” at the locations you visit. 
• Be cautious about online gaming, which can result in identity theft, bullying, harassment and online predators. Children should use an avatar or nickname.

For additional information on avoiding online scams, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

• Have students search online for examples of recently-created online scams.
• Have students create a video, poster, or slide presentation with common email scams and actions to avoid those situations.

Discussion Questions 

1. What are some reasons that a person might become a victim of an online scam?
2. Describe actions to learn about new online scams. 

If you use social media, you could be a target for identity theft. You can buy identity theft insurance – or it might be included in your homeowners or renters policy. But taking simple steps to protect your social media accounts can help you avoid most scams.

1. Don’t post ID cards

It might be tempting to post a photo of a new license or ID card, but it may include your birthday and other identifying data.

• Question quizzes and surveys

Watch out for quizzes that ask for personal information. Scammers ask questions with answers you might use for security login questions, such as the model of your first car, your first pet’s name, or your hometown.

• Don’t overshare

Most social media sites and apps ask you about yourself, then display that information on your profile. Be careful what you give them. The more a scammer knows about you, the easier it is to create a fake account with your information. If an app allows it, keep your profile private.

• Limit app sharing

Many apps let you sign in with a more popular app. But when you do, you usually agree to let the new app use data from the old one. If one app is hacked, scammers can get data from every app linked to it.

• Close old accounts

Scammers look for old, unused accounts with outdated passwords that are easy to hack. If you don’t use an app, delete your account.

• Protect family members

Teens are the most likely to overshare. They usually have clean credit histories, which makes their identities valuable. Seniors don’t use social media as often but might not know when they’ve been hacked. It’s a good idea to check the accounts of family members in those groups.

For more information, click here.

Teaching Suggestions:

• Ask students how they protect their social media accounts.  What precautions are particularly useful to protect their identity on the Internet?
• Why are teens more likely to overshare their personal information on the social media?

Discussion Questions:

1. What can regulatory agencies, such as, the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, do to protect your social media accounts?
2. Should Facebook, Instagram, Whats App, etc. provide clear guidance on what to post (or not to post) on social media sites?  How it might be done to protect consumers?