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Protecting Your Identity - Identity theft is a rapidly growing problem, so refer to this section to avoid the dangers. Articles and podcasts target credit card and ID protection, destruction of sensitive files, mail protection, and safeguarding children and aging parents.
Articles
- Don't Let Anyone Steal Your Credit Identity - Identify theft is a fast growing crime that is not only stressful, but potentially dangerous. Protect your personal identity and financial information by guarding your social security number and all personal information using these simple actions.
- Monitor Your Financial Identity by Reviewing Your Credit Reports - Use the credit bureaus to keep track of your credit report.
- Disposing of and Shredding Personal Documents - Everyone has documents with personal information on them. Learning when and how to dispose of these papers is important for your own safety.
- Protect Your Mail - Keep your incoming and outgoing mail secure.
- Be Prepared if Disaster Strikes - Creating and maintaining all important financial, insurance and personal property records both online and in a separate off-site location will make dealing with any type of disaster much easier.
- Protecting Your Children From Identity Theft - Information on protecting your child from identity theft.
- Protecting Seniors From Identity Theft - Seniors are the most vulnerable group for identity theft. Here's information about staying safe.
- Protecting Your Identity During a Job Search - Job seekers have to be careful to safeguard their personal information against identity thieves and other scammers.
Podcasts
ATM and Card Security - Read here for tips on securing your card and protecting your card in association with an ATM.
Articles
- ATM Security and You - Important steps you can take to make ATM security your business.
- Guarding Against Payment Card Withholding and Skimming - Making purchases with debit or credit cards is generally safer than using cash, but card withholding and skimming frauds can compromise the accounts of unwary consumers.
- Safe Use of Credit Cards - Always protect your credit card information.
- Debit Card Security - Keeping your pin safe is the first step in debit card safety.
- Traveling with Your Cards - By planning ahead, you can make your trip as hassle free as possible when it comes to using your credit cards.
- Opt Out of Personal Offers - Opt-out of mail offers and limit an identity thief's chances of responding to a solicitation on your behalf.
- New Microchip-Enabled Payment Cards May Still Be Vulnerable to Exploitation by Fraudsters - Credit card fraud happens daily. Even with the change over to the new chip-based EMV cards, it is still a common problem. Learning how to best protect your payment cards is the first step to keep yourself free from identify theft.
Podcasts
Technology and Internet Safety - Various article in this section discuss about using technology to keep safe and especially keeping you safe on the Internet.
Articles
- Protecting Against Investment Scams on the Internet - The Internet is the leading information source and trading platform for most investors, but a lot of investment-related content is polluted with false information and outright scams.
- Security for Mobile and Other Handheld Devices - As more and more handheld devices with Wi-Fi abilities hit the market, the more at risk you are for being hacked. Considering what personal information your put on and store on these devices is crucial for your safety.
- Protecting Your Computer - Diligently following these simple steps to safeguard your computer will minimize your risk of becoming a victim of computer hacking.
- Protecting Yourself Online - Connecting online with friends, family and businesses provides enjoyment and opportunities. Following this advice will keep hackers and thieves from ruining your online experience.
- Understanding Phishing - Avoiding phishing attacks requires being alert to the signs of fraudulent requests. Do not respond to any request for personal and financial information without verifying the legitimacy of the source.
- Protecting Yourself from Ransomware - Ransomware infections can encrypt your files and data with simple keystrokes. Keep software updated and regularly back up your data to mitigate the effects of malicious programs on your computer.
- Protecting Your Devices and Data - Maintaining the security of our data involves protecting a range of phones, computers and other gadgets as well as being careful about how we use those devices.
Podcasts
After a Theft - The articles in this section points you in the right direction to help you get back on your feet after a theft.
Articles
- Addressing a Lost or Stolen Card - When it comes to your financial security, it's better to be safe than sorry.
- What to Do When Your Wallet is Stolen - By doing due diligence immediately after your wallet is stolen, you can protect yourself from even more hardship down the road.
- Recovering from Identity Theft - Recovery from identity theft is a process that takes time and effort.
Fraud Alerts - Learn about the different activities criminals use to take advantage of you and steal your indentity. While some of these alerts are not new, they are still very relevant and important today. Brought to you by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Scam Alerts
Articles
- New Verification Schemes Target Users of Online Dating Platforms - The FBI warns of "free" online verification service schemes in which fraudsters
- Alert on Cryptocurrency Money Services Businesses - The FBI warns Americans against using cryptocurrency money transmitting services
- Smishing Scam Regarding Debt for Road Toll Services - Since early-March 2024, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received over 2,000 complaints reporting smishing
- Cyber Criminals Target Victims Using Social Engineering Techniques - The FBI warns of social engineering tactics used by cybercriminals to access financial, corporate, and network accounts. Stay vigilant and protect personal information.
- Child Sexual Abuse Material Created by Generative AI and Similar Online Tools is Illegal - The FBI is warning the public that child sexual abuse material created with content manipulation technologies, to include generative artificial intelligence.
- IC3 Annual Report and Fraud Flyer - On 03/06/2024, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) released the 2023 IC3 Annual Report. In 2023, the IC3 received a record number of complaints from the American public:
- Scammers Use Couriers to Retrieve Cash and Precious Metals from Victims of Tech Support and Government Impersonation Scams - The FBI is warning the public about scammers instructing victims, many of whom are senior citizens, to liquidate their assets into cash and/or buy gold, silver, or other precious metals to protect their funds.
- Malicious Actors Threaten U.S. Synagogues, Schools, Hospitals, and Other Institutions With Bomb Threats - FBI, DHS, and NCTC are warning the public of ongoing bomb threats by malicious actors targeting synagogues, Jewish community centers, schools, hospitals, airports, government buildings, and other public institutions in the United States.
- Chinese Police Imposters Incorporate Aggressive Tactics to Target U.S.-Based Chinese Community - The FBI is warning the public about criminal actors impersonating Chinese police officers to defraud the US-based Chinese community
- Threat of Violence Likely Heightened Throughout Winter - The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)