Identity Theft and Internet Scams

Common Internet Scams

Identity theft is the illegal use of someone else's personal information to obtain money or credit. How will you know if you've been a victim of identity theft? You might receive bills for products or services you didn't purchase, unexpected withdrawals from your bank account, or unauthorized charges on your credit cards. You may also notice new accounts opened in your name without your authorization or fail to receive regular bills or mail. Additionally, you might be unexpectedly denied credit applications that you believe you should qualify for.
Phishing attacks use email or malicious websites to collect personal and financial information or infect your machine with malware and viruses. Cybercriminals use legitimate-looking emails that encourage people to click on a link or open an attachment. These emails can appear to be from authentic financial institutions, e-commerce sites, government agencies, or other services or businesses.
Imposter scams occur when you receive an email or call seemingly from a government official, family member, or friend requesting that you wire them money to pay taxes or fees, or to help someone you care about.
“You've Won" scams happen when you get an email telling you that you have won a prize, lottery, or sweepstakes. Though the person seems excited for you to collect your winnings, they then tell you there is a fee or tax to pay for the prize and request your credit card or bank account information.
Healthcare scams happen when you receive a call, email, or letter that promises big savings on health insurance but claims that you need to provide your Medicare or health insurance information, Social Security number, or financial information to take advantage of the deal.

Simple Tips

When in doubt, throw it out. Links in emails, tweets, posts, and online advertising are often used by cybercriminals to compromise your computer. If something looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it's best to delete it. You can also mark it as "junk email" to stop receiving messages from that sender.
Think before you act. Be cautious of communications that urge you to act immediately, offer deals that seem too good to be true, or ask for personal information.
Make passwords long and strong. Create a password with (15) characters or more, using a combination of numbers, letters, and symbols. The longer the password, the better.
Guard your personal information. Keep your Social Security numbers, account numbers, passwords, and personal details private. Don’t write them down or share them with anyone, including family or friends.
Unique account, unique password. Use different passwords for each account. Having separate passwords helps prevent cybercriminals from gaining access to all your accounts if one password is compromised.

Protect Yourself from Online Fraud

Banking

Avoid Public Networks: Refrain from accessing your personal or bank accounts on public computers or public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in libraries or restaurants. Cybercriminals can exploit public Wi-Fi to gain access to your accounts, and strangers can easily see sensitive information on your device's screen.
Protect Personal Information: Do not share personally identifiable information such as your bank account number, Social Security number, or date of birth with unknown sources.
Secure Payments: When paying bills online or making donations, always type the website URL directly into your browser instead of clicking on links or copying and pasting from emails.

Shopping

Check for HTTPS: Ensure the website address starts with "https"; the "s" indicates the site is secure.
Look for Encryption Icons: Look for a padlock icon in your browser, which signifies that the site uses encryption.

Medical advice

Verify Information Sources: Always find out who is providing the information and ensure you are visiting legitimate websites.
Trusted Domains: Look for websites ending in .edu (for educational institutions) or .gov (for government) for reliable medical information.

Return To Cyber Security & Fraud Awareness

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​Identity Theft and Internet Scams

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