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  IDENTITY THEFT…IT’S THE CRIME THAT KEEPS ON TAKING

LAST YEAR IDENTITY THEFT COST CONSUMERS IN THE U.S. ALMOST FIVE BILLION DOLLARS.

EARL JOHNSON, CEO OF ICI COMPANIES HAS A FEW SELF-DEFENSE STRATEGIES TO STOP THIS CRIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO YOU!

1. THE INTERNET POSES A HUGE THREAT.  HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE OF:

a) don’t store credit card info on a website

b) don’t open or respond to unwanted email or email from a party you don’t know.  This can unleash a “worm” air virus on your computer that will disable your system and/or allow hackers to get in.

c) make sure you are on a secure page when shopping on the Internet.

d) use just one credit card exclusively for internet shopping

e) utilize virus and security protection.  These can be purchased or provided for free by firms like Microsoft for users of their operating system.

2. ATMs, ALMOST EVERYONE USES THEM AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THREATS YOU FACE USING THEM?

a) do not use convenience store ATMs or those not provided by a financial institution.

b), choose a pin number that’s hard to crack

c) always make sure no one is looking over you shoulder while you’re using an ATM

d) make sure the ATM hasn’t been tampered with

e) use ATSMs that are in trafficked and well lit areas and not isolated or hidden from view

3. YOUR PHONE CAN ALSO EXPOSE YOU TO IDENTITY THEFT.

WHAT ARE SOME PRECAUTIONS YOU CAN TAKE?
a) do not give out personal info over the phone if you didn’t initiate the call own know the party you’re speaking to

b) register with a national do not cal system

c) don’t offer up your social security, credit card or bank account numbers unless you know who you’re speaking to

d)  do not send money over currency apps or give credit/debit card info to parties you don’t know.  Current scams revolve around grand children in trouble needing money, “Medicare” or “IRS” calls threatening legal action if “past due balances” aren’t remitted immediately or any other call from a bank or financial institution requesting verification of account numbers, PIN numbers, etc.

4. RECENTLY, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES TO THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT WHICH WILL ENABLE EVERYONE TO OBTAIN ONE FREE CREDIT REPORT A YEAR.

a) consumers are entitled to a free copy of their credit report every 12 months.  All three of the credit reporting agencies are required by law to fulfill the request.  Log onto consumer.gov for more info or refer to ICI’s website  icicompanies.com

ATM Users – Beware!

ATM Users – Beware!

ATM users be advised, this counterfeit $20.00 bill, seen below, is one of 100 inserted into an ATM machine in one stack; this is what placed it out of order.  The perpetrators planned to recover an advance fee from the bank of $200.00 utilizing a bank account opened with a stolen identity. This is just one scam involving the ATM machines of major financial institutions as well as the smaller regional banks.

CONCERNS:

First main concern:  bad guys will intentionally place a machine out of order utilizing a jamming device to set up an armed robbery while a technician is repairing the system.  The bank customer may also be forced at gunpoint to withdraw money by an armed robber who will remove the “jam”.  This, unfortunately is more common than most expect, especially at night in remote locations.  Remember,   each ATM machine contains substantial amounts money and is, therefor, a popular target for thieves.

Second main concern: there are mutable capabilities provided bad guys via high tech to obtain your personal data including your account information even as you use the machine.  Avoid using machines not owned by financial institutions such as those found in bodegas, convenience stores, etc.

In the past, a criminal could steal the whole ATM machine.   Mega structures containing these machines have made it very difficult if not impossible to succeed at that.  More reason, therefor, for you to be concerned that you are the “soft” target.

You must be always alert, avoid late night visits to ATM’s in areas of large shopping malls; especially stand alone island machines.  Make sure you observe the surrounding area looking for individuals standing around, often under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  At drive-up machines, as you approach the kiosk, be aware of occupied cars in an overlook position within the area of the ATM.

While utilizing an ATM system: 1) maintain due diligence, make sure you’re not being watched and/or someones has not sidled up to you, 2) If you drove up to a system, once again keep your eyes open for approaching individuals during or persons loitering in a automobile or being a column, 3) avoid machines not operated by financial institutions and 4) If possible avoid late night visits to utilize the ATM system.