May 2014 10 Ways FROM PAGE 1


difference. Or, you might be asked to send a prepaid card to the crook. "If you send a wire transfer or a prepaid card,


the money is


removed from your account, but the check you deposited may not have cleared. If that check is counterfeit, your financial institution would likely hold you responsible for the losses," said Benardo.


"Also," he added, "if you are selling something online, be wary of a request by a 'buyer' to wire you the money because that may be a ruse to get your bank account information."


3. Be suspicious about unsolicited e-mails or text messages asking you to click on a link or open an attachment. Crooks are known to distribute and install malicious software ("malware") that can capture passwords and PIN numbers. This information could be used to gain access to your online banking sites.


information


4. Don't give out personal to


anyone unless you


initiate the contact and know the other party is reputable. "Crooks pretending to be from legitimate companies or government


agencies


people asking them to 'confirm' or 'update' confidential information," explained Kathryn Weatherby, a fraud examination specialist for the FDIC. "But your bank, credit card issuer and government


agencies would numbers and never


contact you asking for personal details such as bank account information, credit and debit card numbers, Social Security


Presume that any such


passwords. request by


phone, text message, fax, e-mail or letter is fraudulent."


5. Carefully choose user IDs and passwords for your computers, mobile devices,


and online accounts. For


unlocking devices and logging into Web sites and apps, create "strong" IDs and passwords with combinations of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols that are hard to guess, and then change them regularly.


6. Be careful when using social networking sites. Scammers use social networking


sites maiden to gather name, and details


about individuals, such as their place or date of birth, a pet's name, their mother's


other


information that can help them figure out passwords — or how to reset them. Even small tidbits of information can help them steal your identity, such as by answering security questions that control access to accounts. "Don't share your 'page' or access to your information with anyone you don't know and trust," said Benardo. "Criminals may pretend to be your 'friend' to convince you to send money or divulge personal information."


Fraudsters also have become


sophisticated at creating fake social networking sites for financial institutions and other businesses.


For tips on avoiding fraud at often contact immediately social media


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com sites, visit from the


Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091001. aspx.


7. Regularly review your


transaction history. Look at your bank statements, credit card bills or other transaction histories – preferably as soon as they arrive – and make sure you had authorized all of the transactions. Immediately report to your financial institution


any suspicious activity,


such as an unfamiliar charge. "Many financial services providers allow you to conveniently check your transaction history on their Web site or through an app on a mobile device," noted Weatherby.


8. Periodically review your credit


reports to make sure someone hasn't obtained a credit card or a loan in your name. Ask for a free copy from each of the nation's three major credit reporting


agencies (also known as


credit bureaus) because their reports may differ, but spread out the requests during the year. For more information and to order a report, go to www.An- nualCreditReport.com or call toll-free 1-877-322-8228.


account on your report, call the fraud department


the credit


If you find an unfamiliar at


reporting


agency that produced it. If the account turns out to be fraudulent, ask for a fraud alert to be placed in your file at all three of the major credit bureaus. The alert tells lenders and other users of credit reports that you have been a victim of fraud and to verify any new accounts or changes to accounts in your name.


9. Protect personal your financial


documents. Keep bank and credit card statements, tax returns and blank checks in a secure place. And, shred any sensitive documents instead of just throwing them in the trash, because thieves


look through


trash to find this type of information to commit identity


theft or other


crimes. 10.


Guard


From time your


incoming and outgoing mail. time,


your to


mailbox


may contain credit card or bank statements, documents


showing


confidential information, or checks you are sending.


For incoming


mail, try to use a locked mailbox or a mailbox in a secure location. Put outgoing mail, especially if it contains a check or personal


information,


in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox or take it to the post office.


The Hampton Roads Messenger 5 You are cordially invited to attend...


City Council meetings... Norfolk - regular meetings are held on the first and fourth Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. and the second and third Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.


Chesapeake - regular meetings are held on the second, third and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.


Newport News - regular business meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m.


Suffolk - regular meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.


Hampton - typically take place on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m.


Virginia Beach - meets on the first four Tuesdays of each month. In July the meetings are scheduled on the first two Tuesdays only. Formal session begins at 6 p.m.


Portsmouth - meeting dates are the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.


Read the Hampton Roads Messenger online 24/7 www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


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