More tips and tools to prevent identity theft and stay safe from cyber crime.Like what you hear? Help us out by writing a review at iTunes. Questions go to money@qdnow.com. Thank you!
Money Girl
122 MG Case of the Missing Identity, Part 2
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I'm your host, Laura Adams. This episode is part two about how to prevent identity theft and stay safe from cybercrime. If you miss part one, find it in iTunes or in the money girl section at quickanddirtytips.com. Some of the most successful online scams have been accomplished by email that appears to be from well-known companies such as eBay, Bank of America, or PayPal, for example. The scammers like to go fishing with recognized company names and logos because they know it gives their bait an extra dose of credibility. But the reality is that no reputable company should send you an email asking for your confidential information. Many thriving scams are surprisingly silly. I'm sure everyone has received an urgent email from someone in Nigeria who desperately need your bank account information to wire you a couple million dollars. Give me a break. That's the classic Nigerian advanced fee fraud, also known as the 419 fraud. I still get a couple of these bizarre messages each month and they just make me laugh. Any email I get that begins with dear gentlemen goes straight in the trash. Some other common fraud schemes come in the form of chain letters, fake charity emails, and even a rip-off that appears to be from the government. That one takes your credit card number and charges you for a Social Security report that's actually free. The lesson is that we all need to be highly suspicious and skeptical of anyone who comes knocking on our online door. The Stranger Danger motto that we teach children works well in the virtual world too. Never click on any link or download files or programs from strangers. They could contain spyware or viruses meant to harm your files or jeopardize your online security. If you have even a smidgen of doubt, here's another good motto. Just delete it. If you want to check an account or follow up on an email offer, go directly to the company website instead of clicking on a hyperlink. So remember, if you get an email from anyone asking for your confidential information from your Social Security number to your address to your credit card numbers, delete, delete, delete. If a thief does get your personal information and opens an account in your name, it should show up on your credit report. That's why it's important to view your reports at each of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian, on a periodic basis. US federal law gives you the right to see each of them for no charge once a year. You can view and print them at annualcreditreport.com. If you find any discrepancies, be sure to report them right away. If you want to monitor your credit status more often than once a year, you'll have to pay the bureaus for the reports. There are companies such as Identity Guard and Lifelock that watch for changes to your credit report for you. They may also offer extra services such as computer security software, wireless protection, and identity theft insurance. These credit monitoring services also scan black market websites for account numbers that match yours. These hangouts are where criminals gather to sell and exchange stolen information, such as credit card numbers. You should also be vigilant for fraudulent changes to your social security, earnings, and benefit statement. It's mailed out each year, but you can also view it anytime at ssa.gov. And of course, it's extremely important to stay on top of your bank account and credit card activity. At a minimum, closely review your monthly statements as soon as you receive them for unexpected transactions. Good taste is easy to spot, but hard to pin down. You know it when you see it. And in today's culture, there's no greater signifier of taste than the car you drive. You want something sophisticated, but not stodgy. Daring, yet classic, approachable, but with an air of opulence. It may sound like a rare fine because it is. And it perfectly describes the Range Rover Evoke. Drive a statement piece with pure presence. The Evoke is charisma in motion. This luxury SUV is artfully crafted and designed to stand out. And the reductive exterior is an elegant expression of Range Rover DNA. With clean lines, the minimalist design speaks for itself. The chiseled taillights give it a sense of motion. Even at standstill, you'll find quality materials and solid craftsmanship at every turn. And you can curate your interior with a variety of distinct themes and trim finishes. It's an elevated drive for elevated lives. Explore the Range Rover Evoke at LandRoverUSA.com. September is a great month for planning. We start thinking about the rest of the year, whether it's back to school, big year-end work projects, holiday plans or travel. Planning ahead is crucial in life, especially when it comes to what happens when you're gone. Getting life insurance may sound daunting, but policy genius makes the process a breeze. With policy genius, you can find insurance policies that start at just $292 a year for a million dollars of coverage. Some options offer same-day approval and avoid unnecessary medical exams. Policy genius's technology lets you compare quotes from America's top insurers in just a few clicks to find your lowest price. It's the country's leading online insurance marketplace. And if you ever need help or guidance, they have an expert license support team to answer your questions, handle all the paperwork, and advocate for you throughout the process. It's never too late to plan ahead. Go to policygenius.com or click the link in the description to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you can save. That's policygenius.com. A lot can happen between falling in love with a house online and owning it, between imagining living there and breathing in your new home for the first time. Having an advocate who can help you navigate the complex world of financing, inspections, negotiating, analyzing the market, and talking through any anxieties that may pop up, that can make all the difference. That's what the expertise of a realtor can do for you. Realtors are members of the National Association of Realtors and bound by a code of ethics, because that's who we are. Since we spend so much time on our computers, it's crucial to be aware of situations that put us at risk. Remember that public computers should not be used for online banking or shopping. If you use a computer in an internet cafe or at the library, for example, always clear your browsing history and log off before you leave. Even if you use your own device and Wi-Fi hotspots at the coffee shop or bookstore, be careful. Whenever you type in private data on a wireless connection, make sure that you're on a secure page. Just remember that S stands for secure. If the website address begins with HTTPS instead of HTTP, your information will be encrypted and secure when you send it. Also look for a lock icon in the web browser and click on it to make sure the website security is up to date. That keeps the cyber snoopers at bay. Here are eight more tips for safe computing. Number one, create strong passwords that have a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Don't use personal data such as your telephone number, birth date, address, any part of your social security number, or your mother's maiden name for passwords. They're too easy for a hacker to figure out. Number two, change your passwords periodically. This is especially important for high-risk websites such as your bank or credit card accounts. Number three, never store your financial information or a list of usernames and passwords on your computer. Consider saving sensitive information on an external or flash drive that you keep in a safe place. For more ways to keep sensitive information safe, you'll enjoy show number 77 from The Get It Done Guy. Find Steve Robbins' great show in iTunes or at getitdone.quickanddirtytips.com. Number four, always have firewall, antivirus, and anti-spyware software installed on your computer that automatically updates each week. That will stop uninvited access to your computer. Doing an online search for internet security software will bring up many well-known security products. Number five, keep the updates for your operating system, web browsers, and software current that protects you against intrusions or bugs that could compromise your data. Number six, never leave your wireless network at home unsecured. Make sure the encryption feature is turned on and set up a strong password. If you're not sure how to do this, refer to the printed or online user manual for your hardware. Number seven, when you dispose of a computer or sell it, use a wipeout program to overwrite the entire hard drive so no personal data gets passed along. And eight, resist the temptation to use a web browser's feature that automatically remembers your login information. I recommend using a password manager, such as RoboForm or Password Safe, that stores and encrypts your data. They make your life easier by recalling your user names and passwords only after you enter one master password that's kept in the safest place of all, your head. I'm glad you're listening. Remember that show transcripts, my contact information, and a link to the new MoneyGirl Facebook page can be found at moneygirl.quickanddirtytips.com. That's all for now. Courtesy of MoneyGirl, your guide to enrich your life. Like any good agent, we're here for the open house, for the closing, for handing over keys. But because we're real tours, we're here for so much more. Agents who are real tours volunteer at nearly three times the national average. We're working to broaden access to credit, increase affordable housing supply, and ensure fair housing for all. And real tours are bound by a code of ethics. We're here for it all. Real tours are members of the National Association of Real Tours. That's who we are. Imagine earning a degree that prepares you with real skills for the real world. Capella University's programs teach skills relevant to your career so you can apply what you learn right away. Learn how Capella can make a difference in your life at cappella.edu. [BLANK_AUDIO]