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Freestone Credit Union |
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Notices |
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Consumer Reports’ Survey: 52 Percent of Social Network Users Post Risky Information The number of online U.S. households using social networks such as Facebook and MySpace has nearly doubled in the past year expanding online opportunities for criminals. According to Consumer Reports’ latest State of the Net survey, in the past year, 52 percent of adult social network users have posted personal information such as their full birth date which can increase their risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime. The survey results, tips to protect users' information online and Ratings of security software are featured in the June issue of Consumer Reports and on www.ConsumerReports.org. "Many people use social networking sites to share personal information and photos with their friends quickly and easily," says Jeff Fox, Technology editor for Consumer Reports. "However there are serious risks involved which can be lessened by using privacy controls offered by the sites." The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a nationally representative survey of 2,000 online households in January. Consumer Reports found that 9 percent of social network users experienced some form of abuse within the past year, such as malware infections, scams, identity theft or harassment. Users who post information such as a full birth date – month, date, and year – (38 percent), photos of children (21 percent), children's names (13 percent), home street address (8 percent) and details when away from home (3 percent) are especially vulnerable to becoming victims of abuse. And cybercrime can be costly – Consumer Reports estimates that Americans have lost $4.5 billion over the past two years and including replacing 2.1 million computers compromised by malware. For the complete text, statistical data and advice of this article, please click here. (Source: “Consumer Reports Survey: 52 Percent of Social Network Users Post Risky Information,” Consumer Reports, May 4, 2010) |
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CURRENT SCAMS TO BE AWARE OF: |
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Holidays are Prime Time for Phishing Scams Thursday, December 08, 2011 7:00 AM As the holiday shopping season revs up, an increasing number of criminals are trying to lure unsuspecting consumers into divulging sensitive information. Phishing attacks are a common method used by criminals to steal personal identification information. These criminals may attempt to gain personal information via fraudulent e-mail, web sites, pop-up windows, and even text-messaging. Phishing via text message to a mobile phone or device is also known as smishing. The purpose of text message phishing is the same as traditional email phishing: convince recipients to share their sensitive or personal information. In Central Texas there appears to be a widespread phishing expedition by scammers. A number of credit union members in the area have reportedly received text messages informing them that their credit card(s) has been deactivated or their ATM card has been compromised. The member is then instructed to call a number to restore service. Here is how at least one of the fraudulent text messages reads: “The credit union center alert: Your card has been deactivated. Please contact us at 254-304-2258.” Phishing scams play on people's fears. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suggests these tips to help consumers avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam: · If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply. And don’t click on the link in the message, either. Legitimate companies don’t ask for this information via email. If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization mentioned in the email using a telephone number you know to be genuine. · Area codes can mislead. Some scammers send an email that appears to be from a legitimate business and ask you to call a phone number to update your account or access a “refund.” Because they use Voice over Internet Protocol technology, the area code you call does not reflect where the scammers really are. If you need to reach an organization you do business with, call the number on your financial statements or on the back of your credit card. In any case, delete random emails that ask you to confirm or divulge your financial information. · Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly. Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the Internet without your knowledge. Anti-virus software and a firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files. · Don’t email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. · Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive; regardless of who sent them. These files can contain viruses or other software that can weaken your computer’s security. |
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Five Scams to Watch for in 2012 Monday, December 19, 2011 7:00 AM The coming year won't herald the end of the world nor will it be the end of scams and rip-offs, reports the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). To help you know what to watch out for, consumer advocate Ron Burley has compiled a hit list of the five most malevolent scams consumers are likely to encounter in 2012. 1. The Nigerian Letter: While this advance-fee scam is an oldie-but-goody, new variations are making it much more effective in trapping the vulnerable and unwary. What should consumers do: Do not respond. Delete email. Toss paper mail.
1. Exploitation by Education: Unemployment woes and job anxiety cause some folks to consider retraining for new careers. Scammers entice the education-seeking unemployed with promises to get rich quick with their secret plan, win a high-paying job with their streamlined schooling, or pass a test for a chance at a swank government gig. What you should do: Avoid same-day decisions. Any career or education decision deserves at least a day's consideration: research, get referrals and reconsider.
1. Devilish Diagnoses: Most of us know to be wary of an auto mechanic discovering a previously undetected, but expensive, car repair. We can see he's got personal interest in pointing-out the pricey problem. That same conflict of interest now is appearing more often in other industries. From the hearing specialist who also hawks hearing aids to the financial planner pitching her own brand of mutual funds, consumers are being taken advantage of by exploiters who prey upon their trust. What you should do: Separate the diagnosis from the product or service deliverer. While it may take more time, the money saved may be worth many times the delay.
1. Facebook Unfriendlies: Social networking on Facebook, LinkedIn and similar websites is redefining how families and friend stay connected. However, the same walled-off environment of filtered contacts that we've been trained to trust has also led us to let our guard down. Scammers launch topical pages in order to trawl for like-minded social network users. Once "friended," they link the unwary out of the safe environment to an external site where they can be attacked by a virus or pitched scam offers.What you should do: Do not respond to or "friend" any person or organization that you do not know of from outside of the social network. 2. Outrageous Requests: Phishing is what security professionals call attempts to trick computer users into providing personal or financial information. Phishers have jumped off the net and onto the phone lines and cell towers with ruses designed to separate you from your hard-earned dollars. Armed with your name, address and phone number, they call you with requests to "verify" other personal information such as social security number and credit card information.What you should do: Give no information. Do not engage in conversation. Tell them any further contact will be reported to police and/or the FBI. Think you’re savvy enough to spot a scam? Take the short “Scam or Real” quiz on AARP’s web site. |