Auto accident Scam

This scam is  dangerous, it can impact you in several ways:
 
1. Victims have been injured and killed by these staged
     accidents.
2. Your insurance could be canceled or the rates raised.

3. Victims waste a lot of time dealing with reports, repairs
     and law suites.
                                 How they work
The scammer deliberately causes an accident. An example could be.
A car pulls in front of you and slams on the breaks causing you to hit them. Passengers in the scammers car fake severe and painful injuries.
 
                               What  should you do?
Always drive realizing the driver in front of you could slam on his or her brakes at any moment.

Keep a pad and pencil in your vehicle at all times. One of those throw away cameras is a good idea also.
Write down license number, insurance information etc.
Take pictures of damage to both cars. Count the
number of passengers in both cars and get their names,
phone numbers and drivers license numbers. This is a precaution to keep people, who are not in the car, from making claims against you.

Call the police and get a report including the officers name.
Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
 
 

VISA & Master Card Telephone Credit Card Scam
This information is worth reading. By understanding how the Visa and Master card scam works, you will be better prepared to protect yourself. Here is how it works.

The person calling says, “This is name and I am calling from the Security and Fraud Department at Visa. My badge number is xxxxx. We are calling because your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern and I am calling to verify. Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 recently?”
When you say “No” the caller continues with,”Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. We have been watching this company for a while so you are not the only one. Before your next statement the credit will be sent to you at this address (your address) is this your address?”

After you answer yes, he will say something like he will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions just call the number on the back of your credit card. By this time you are thinking you are glad this nice man or lady called, but watch out!
                       HOW THIS SCAM WORKS
 The caller then says, “he needs to verify you are in possession of your card.” He will ask you to turn the card over and look for some numbers. There are several digits, but he only needs the last 3. You see he has your credit card number that he got out of the dumpster in back of the restaurant (or some other means.) Now that he has your three numbers he can order that $497.00 camera and have the ship to address sent to his recently rented box number. In fact he may order several!!!!!
                           

Prevent Identity Theft                An attorneys advice. No charge

Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company:

1.

The ext time you order checks have only your first initial (instead of full first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you  sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put “Photo ID required.”

3.

When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the “For” line. Instead just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won’t have access to it.

4.

 Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks (DUH!). You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

5.. 

Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when traveling either here or abroad. We’ve all heard horror stories about fraud that’s committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, or credit cards.                                                                                                         
Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen recently. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from the DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here’s some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

A) 

We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

B)

File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc.. were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here’s what is perhaps most important of all:                  
(I never even thought to do this.)

C)

 Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by my bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

By the time I was advise to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There were records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves’ purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away. (This weekend someone turned it in.) It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.

                               If You are a victim
  *  Close any affected accounts
    *  Change the passwords on all of your online accounts
    *  Place a fraud alert with the three companies listed below
 

Here are the numbers you need to place a fraud alert

Equifax : #1-800-525-6285

Experian (formerly TRW): #1-888-397-3742

Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

     *  Contact the FTC and file a complaint 877-438-4338
              File a report with your local police department and
              get copies to carry with you. Send a copy to your
              bank and other creditors.

      *  Record and save all communications. Get names, dates,
            time and summary of what was discussed.

                          Additional Resources
  Fraud.org, the National Fraud Information Center
    US. Department of Justice ID Theft Kit
           http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html
 
    Federal Trade Commission document. Take Charge
    Fighting Back Against Identity Theft
            http:// www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm
   Includes sample dispute lettters and other recovery procedures

    privacyrights.com  provides a detailed 17 step is your ID
    is stolen.

    Identity Theft Resource Center
           http:// www.idtheftcenter.org/index.shtml

          Guides, FAQs Etc.
Here is some more good information on idenity theft.
Thanks to Sarah Washington of ValleyBookClub.com
Homeland Security Degree

Identity Theft and Your Personal Security

Financial ID Theft – Financial identity theft occurs when a third party illegally and  without consent retrieves another person’s personal and financial  details for the sole purpose of using it to their gain. It involves  theft of the person’s money, as well as damage to their credit rating  and financial reputations.

Criminal ID Theft – In cases of criminal identity theft, a third party uses the stolen  details of another person and presents them to legal or law enforcement  authorities if questioned during an arrest or possible investigation.

Identity Cloning – Identity cloning takes identity theft one step further; perpetrators  take on the entire identity of another person, going as far as to pose  as them at work and in their personal lives.

Business or Commercial Identity Theft – Business identity theft occurs when a business’s identity and  financial details are used for fraudulent purposes and transactions. It  can greatly impact the reputation of the business as well as that of the business owners.

Laws Concerning Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud

• The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act – This is a federal act and covers unlawful use of a person’s identity or their identification details.
• The Identity Theft Protection Act (PDF) – An easy guide to learning about identity theft and the laws that protect and help citizens.
• State Statues Concerning Identity Theft – Find the laws that apply in your state by browsing through this full list of identity theft statues across the country.
• Expanding the Laws – Learn what the U.S. government is doing to combat identity theft and  how they are increasing the number of services they offer to victims.
• Identity Theft Legal Definitions – Identity theft is officially recognized as a crime in the United States and its scope is defined by several parameters.
• Identity Theft Legal Proceedings – Identity theft can be punishable by up to fifteen years in prison as well as a fine and other penalties.
• State Laws on Security Freezes – There are several different laws across the country that govern the  procedure of freezing and barring access to an individual’s credit file  in the event of fraudulent activity.
• The Fair Credit Reporting Act (PDF) – This act makes certain allowances and procedures to ensure that people can modify their credit report if a serious mistake has been  made.
• Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act – Passed in 2003, this act makes it possible for consumers to acquire a free credit report upon request once per year from one of the three  main credit reporting bureaus.
• Fair Credit Billing Act – Under this law, consumers are safeguarded from erroneous or unjust  credit billing and may dispute suspicious charges on their credit card  bills.
• Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (PDF) – Debt collectors are not allowed to use any practices that could be construed as deceptive in the process of collecting any unpaid  debts.
• Electronic Fund Transfer Act – According to this law, consumers are protected under a set of  regulations and rights regarding electronic transactions and other fund  transfers.
• Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act (PDF) – Offenders are subject to longer terms of imprisonment under  this law, especially for those who use identity theft for acts of  terrorism.
• Red Flags Rules – To help detect and stop fraudulent activity, all financial  institutions, such as banks, are required to use a set of regulators to  check if a client’s account activity or transactions seem out of the  ordinary.
• Driver’s Privacy Protection Act – Owners of a driver’s license are protected through this act that  states that the information on their record falls within certain privacy boundaries and should not be disclosed without their express consent.
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act – Students as well as their parents have a right to the protection of  their personal information and records; these details may only be  disclosed for legitimate reasons.
• Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act – Several institutions, such as banks and the Securities Commission are required to notify clients of their privacy policy every year and allow them to opt out of having their information disclosed to other parties.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act – The privacy of personal information and records belonging to medical  patients are protected within this law through a number of regulations  and precautions.
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards – Any company or organization that accepts payments via credit card is  required to follow certain security standards to protect customers’  credit card information.
• Federal Payment Regulations – There are several different federal laws that govern consumer  transactions including the procedures to clear a check and make  payments.
• Suing Against Fraudulent Identity Use – In some cases of fraudulent use of personal details, victims may be allowed to sue for the damages done to them.
• Laws for Fraud Committed Online – New laws have been developed and amended to answer the issues of new types of crimes that develop as technology advances.
• Legislative Solutions Regarding Identity Theft – In recent years, government institutions have passed additional laws  as well as penalties to respond to the growing issue of identity theft.
• Laws Governing Identity Theft – Browse through a collection of resources dedicated to the legislation of identity theft and related issues in the U.S.
• Business Identity Theft Laws – Even small businesses are protected against identity theft and  fraudulent financial activities that exploit their name and resources.

Support Groups and Organizations for Identity Theft Victims

• The FTC Department for Identity Theft Victims – Learn how to prevent or deal with identity theft with a number of helpful resources supplied by the Federal Trade Commission.
• U.S.P.S. ID Theft Investigations – Anyone who suspects that their mailing address is being wrongfully  used or changed can request an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service.
• The S.S.A. Fraud Hotline – The Social Security Admission has set up a dedicated hotline for victims to report details of fraud.
• The IRS ID Theft Sector – The IRS can investigate and help people who have had their Social  Security Number wrongly used or stolen. They also supply several helpful resources on the subject.
• The U.S. Justice Department – The Department of Justice supplies a long list of preventative  measures against identity theft as well as advice, contact information  and additional resources for victims.
• Identity Theft Resource Center – The ITRC is a national non-profit organization that aims to educate  and help people with issues related to identity theft and related fraud.
• ID Safety – ID Safety acts across the United States to help protect civilians and consumers  and also to better educate investigators and police officers about  identity theft.
• Internet Crime Complaint Center – Complaints related to online identity fraud can be reported to this organization that is partnered with the FBI.
• Stay Safe Online – The National Cyber Security Alliance developed a dedicated website to  provide information to people and victims about identity theft. They  also include several educational videos and free online security  resources.
• Rental Housing Identity Fraud (PDF) – Victims of identity fraud in relation to housing rental schemes can find further information on how to proceed with this downloadable  pamphlet.
  
   

            Consumer Safety
                  Online Couponing and Shopping - Basic
       by Eric S.

Before starting an online transaction, take time to read the following consumer safety tips.

Before starting an online transaction, take time to read the following  consumer safety tips. While there are opportunities for a deal around  every corner, shoppers need to be prepared. For more information, check  out any one of the included resources. A little online shopping savvy  goes a long way.

Know Your Merchant

Familiarize yourself with the name and reputation of any online  business before making a purchase. If you have never dealt with a company  before, search for Internet news sources, rating services, or  directories to learn more. Even a simple online search could reveal  information about the company, its policies, or specific customer  experiences.

The Better Business Bureau: Use the search feature to read reviews, based on customer  experiences with a business or charity. Search by business name, type of business or website address.

Be a Cautious Consumer: This 2009 Consumer Reports article mentions being cautious about online merchants.

Tips for Finding Out if a Website is Secure: This information shows consumers how to figure out whether a website is secure, along with other tips for online shoppers.

Protect Your Privacy

Take a look at the privacy policy posted on a companys€  website. How much of your information are they collecting? Do they plan  to sell or share it with others? You should be comfortable with  providing information about yourself and the way the information will be used before continuing with your purchase. TRUSTe and BBBOnLine  icons  on a website demonstrate a companies commitment to these privacy  enforcement organizations. Cautious consumers think twice before  providing any personal information, including a social security number,  that is unnecessary to the purchase.

Cyber Security Tips for Shopping Safely Online: The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team provides  information on how consumers can protect their bank accounts and their  privacy.

Keep Your Private Information to Yourself: This list of tips includes being anonymous online, being aware of  cookies, and who could be watching the emails you are sending.

Website Privacy: TRUSTe put together information about how to control the amount of privacy you have on websites and with online merchants. It also explains the public and private distinction when it comes to information sharing.

Get the Details

Reputable companies provide customers with clear information on their policies and contact information. Search for the companies shipping  information, including when packages are shipped, and the fees  associated with shipping and handling. Check for return policies or  warranties offered by the company or the manufacturer. Finally, make  sure you have the companies contact information. Whether it be an email  address or a phone number, you need a way to communicate with the  company about your purchase.

Signs of Online Fraud: Be cautious about websites offering opportunities that seem too good to be true.

Tips for Avoiding Internet Fraud: The FBI lists its top suggestions for protecting yourself from all types of fraud including: non-delivery of merchandise, credit card issues, and  even online auctions.

Spotting Fake URLs in Fraudulent Emails and Websites: Yale University offers a step by step guide for determining whether a certain web address or email is suspicious or fake.. 

Use a Credit Card and Safeguard Your Password

Did you know that using your credit card provides you with some  protection for purchases made online? Both federal law and your credit  card agreement state that if an unauthorized purchase is made with the  card, your liability can only be up to $50. Search the website for  evidence of strong security technology. The information could be posted  in the companies policy page or with an icon showing something like a  key or padlock. Keep your password safe and do not share it with anyone  else.

Safeguarding Your Password: The Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland gives  several ideas for keeping a password safe, including good and bad ideas  for passwords.

Safeguarding Your Identity and Password: James Madison University offers several tricks for coming up with a strong  password that you can always remember. The article also discusses when  and how to change passwords.

Protection for Your Debit Card Purchases: This site features a list of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA)  and Regulation E that discuss protection for unauthorized purchases or  ATM withdrawals.

Keep Good Records

Print or save a copy of any records involving your online purchases.  This gives you the ability to keep track of all the important details of your transaction. You can check on the shipping dates and fees, or the  specific amount charged to your credit card. This is also useful if at  any point you need to return a product for a refund.

Online Shopping, Printing out Pictures and Receipts: The Harvard Business Review shows how consumers’ expectations of what  they bought are attached to printing out a receipt with a picture.

Avoiding Unhappy Returns: The State of Michigans Attorney General explains how a receipt can make it easier to return unwanted items purchased online.

An Explanation of the Digital Receipt: Raymond R. Burke explains how digital receipts make life easier for consumers. (PDF)

Miscellaneous Online Safety:

FDIC: Online Banking, Bill Paying and Shopping: In addition to providing tips for online shopping, this article talks  about various things to be aware of when banking online and downloading  software.

Avoiding Problems When Shopping Online: The US government put together a list of smart shopping tips for consumers looking for a deal online.

Online Safety is a Personal Priority for Americans: A research collaboration between the National Cyber Security Alliance  and the Anti-Phishing Working Group produces information about  Americans opinions on their own security, or lack thereof.

Tired of Getting Unsolicited Commercial Emails?: The Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email provides news  regarding what you can do about unsolicited emails along with other  various articles on a variety of online security precautions to  consider.

Security Awareness Tip of the Day: Check this site daily to learn more about Internet security. Tips and  topics range from protecting a computer to emails with suspicious  content.

Mass Marketing Fraud: The Department of Justice presents details about the different types of  Internet and email fraud. It also explains how the Department of Justice is working to enforce the laws in these situations.

Holiday Shopping Tips: While the Internet Crime Complaint Center created these tips for the surge of online shopping during the holidays, this information is valid at all  times.

Steps to Report Identity Theft: The National Consumers Leagues Internet Fraud Watch provides a step by step list of actions necessary to report identity theft.

Your Rights as a Consumer: The National Archives for the United Kingdom features an easy to read and understand explanation of your rights as a consumer.

Online Safety Tips and Volunteer Opportunities: Working to Halt Online Abuse (WHO@) lists out several different ways to stay safe online. This is not just limited to shopping. It includes  tips for participating in forums, avoiding conflict, and being careful  with personal information.