Saturday, April 09, 2011

Avoid Phishing Scams and Identity Theft

Phising Scam Alert After Major Data Breach 
Hackers recently accessed the database of Epsilon, a large marketing company that sends emails on behalf of banks, stores and other companies.  This stolen information could make it easier for criminals to send emails that appear to be from legitimate companies.  This security breach could be detrimental for customers and businesses alike.  Below are some suggestions for keeping your identity and your customer’s identity safe.

Customers:
         If you receive an email asking you to provide any personal information: your credit card number, Social Security number, address, etc. do not reply. 
         If you do receive this type of e-mail, contact the company immediately using the contact information from your billing statement.

Businesses:
         Establish communication with your customers, letting them know about the breach.
         Remind customers not to respond to an e-mail asking for personal information like credit card numbers and Social Security numbers.
         Tell customers how to get in touch with your customer service staff.
         Post information about the breach on your website so customers can find it if they receive phishing messages targeting your brand.

For more information about phishing scams, visit OnGuardOnline.gov/phishing.

Protect Your Identity During Tax Season 
April is upon us, which means the deadline for filing your federal taxes is fast approaching. It’s also a time to ensure you’re properly safeguarding your identity and personal financial information. Every year, millions of Americans fall victim to identity theft, and scams and phishing schemes are particularly prevalent during tax season. Last year alone, identity theft resulted in $37 billion in fraudulent activity, according to one research firm.  The Stop. Think. Connect. campaign recommends the following steps to ensure your information stays safe while filing taxes online:

• STOP and consider who you are providing your information to and exactly where it is going. If you are using an online tax service, is it from a reputable company? Beware of phony tax sites and IRS-impersonation scams designed to get you to hand over sensitive information.

• THINK about what a web service is offering and how you found it. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• CONNECT with the confidence of knowing that you have taken the necessary steps to file your taxes safely and securely online, while protecting your information and your identity.

Even after the April 18 tax filing deadline has come and gone, it’s important to remain vigilant about online security and stop and think before providing your personal information on the Internet.

For information from the IRS on avoiding tax fraud and scams, visit http://www.irs.gov/compliance/enforcement/article/0,,id=121259,00.html.

No comments: