Newsletter
Social Networking Could Leave Your Home At Risk
Tim Ireland - PA Wire - Experian, 22/02/2010 15:15
New site highlights just how much private information we share online.
The ever-increasing amount of information we post on social networking sites is leaving us vulnerable to criminals.
Whether it's birthdates, home addresses or where we're planning to go on holiday, these details can be a goldmine to criminals. You'll be amazed how little information criminals need to carry out an ID theft.
Similarly, mentioning that you're stuck at work might seem innocent enough, you've actually just advertised to burglars that your home is going to be empty for some time.
To highlight just how many people are leaving themselves vulnerable through what they disclose on the internet, a Dutch website called Please Rob Me is posting live updates sent by users declaring when they are not at home - and thus at risk of burglary.
The controversial site, which has already angered some privacy groups, sends live updates of "opportunities" that criminals could take advantage of.
"The danger is publicly telling people where you are because it leaves one place you're definitely not - home," said Frank Groeneveld, one of the site's founders.
Watch out for ID theft
Pete Turner, director of the CreditExpert ID fraud protection and credit monitoring service, added that there is more at stake than a possible break-in.
"By publishing personal details online, you are setting yourself up for fraudsters to use your identity to clear out your accounts or set up new ones in your name," he said.
"The mess this creates can take months to sort out and can trash your chances of getting a loan or mortgage as your credit rating would be trashed.
"So it makes sense to think carefully when you update your pages, especially if you are planning to include your whereabouts and your personal details - you never know who might be reading.
"We know criminals are successfully finding identities to steal, research from Experian - based on the first nine months of 2009 - shows a 206% increase in account takeover fraud."
These tips will help you to stay safe online.
Check your credit report for free
1. Don't be too social on social networks
Apparently harmless personal details, such as your date of birth and full name, are gold dust to fraudsters, so don't put them on public display.
The same goes for your children's or pets' names, anniversaries and important dates, which you might use as a password or PIN. Check the privacy options on your favourite networking sites and use them to make sure you are only sharing information with genuine friends.
2. Update your security
Make sure your security programs and firewalls are updated regularly or you could be letting hackers into your system. That gives them access to all the personal information you keep there, including online banking or card account details - more than enough to steal your ID and ruin your finances.
3. Keep PINs and passwords private
Memorise security information, such as passwords and online banking codes, rather than writing it down. If you have to keep a record in your computer, use reminders rather than the actual words or numbers. Never give your account details, passwords or PINs to other people to use.
4. Ignore suspicious e-mails
Phishing e-mails may look as if they come from your bank, building society or credit card issuer but don't be fooled - they are designed to get you to reveal personal and account information so a criminal can impersonate you and steal your money or run up debts in your name.
So contact the relevant organisation independently, using a number or e-mail you already have on file, before you delete the offending message. And never click through to a link provided by an unknown sender - you could be downloading a virus that will either take over your computer or eavesdrop on every keystroke you make.
5. Read your statements
Go through your bank and credit card statements every month looking for unfamiliar transactions. Be especially alert for smaller purchases that you don't remember - fraudsters often take a little money from accounts now and again to see if they can get away with it before going in for the kill.
6. Watch out for eavesdroppers
Think twice about using public wi-fi for mobile shopping or banking. Wi-fi is easier to eavesdrop than a fixed line, so don't log onto accounts that need a password.
Also take extra care inputting personal information and pass codes into public computers and at cash machines - you never know who might be watching. And don't forget clear the memory cache when you've finished if you're sharing a PC with others.
7. Shop safely online
If you are shopping online, check that the url begins "https" and that there is a locked padlock symbol at the bottom of your browser - both indicate that you are in a secure area.
8. Make your passwords effective
When you choose a password, make sure it includes numbers as well as upper and lower case letters and is at least eight digits long.
Avoid obvious combinations that can be easily guessed, such as your date of birth, nickname, pets' or children's names. And avoid the temptation to use the same password for multiple accounts. PJL. Thank you (March 2010)
PJL. Thank you (March 2010)