| Beware holiday shopping Web threats
But behind some of those enticing offers lurk unwelcome headaches such as computer viruses, a private identity theft scam or malware that gives criminals remote access to your computers. Once the criminals get access to your computer, they can steal personal information or use the computer to transmit spam, viruses and other attacks. Cyber experts reported a record level of spam and criminal activity in November. Symantec Corp., an online security company, reported that the current volume of spam makes up 71 percent of e-mail traffic, up from 59 percent last year. That number is expected to grow as criminals try to take advantage of last-minute shoppers. The problem is that this year, the fake ads are more sophisticated and better resemble legitimate e-mails, said Keith Crosley, spokesman for Proofpoint, a messaging security company in Sunnyvale, Calif.
Be crime-savvy when you shop
Editor's note: This week's shooting at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, Neb., underscores the public safety issues that large gathering places like shopping centers face. Today, the Sunday Record explores crime trends at our regional shopping malls. What we found is that larcencies, such as shoplifting and car break-ins and thefts, far outnumber crimes against individuals. While our region did have a mall shooting in Kingston in February 2005, incidents involving guns or assaults at Hudson Valley shopping centers were rare, according to police reports from January 2006 through July 2007.
In many localities, they are the center of weekend social life, where people converge to shop, play or just be seen. But they are also the sites of fights, identity theft and millions of dollars worth of shoplifting each year.
Conflicting reports about identity theft
SPOKANE -- A new government survey claims identity theft is not a growing problem nationwide. But some consumer groups say they're not convinced. They worry the report will send the wrong message for the holidays, when ID thefts usually spike. .
Protecting your identity is a smart thing to do
D ecember is Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. According to the February 2007 Identity Fraud Survey Report issued by Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft affected approximately 8.4 million people. The estimated loss to business and individual victims was $43.9 billion. Often, ID theft victims don't even realize their identity was stolen. They may find out when a creditor or collection agency calls or a credit card is declined. To help consumers protect their identity, a number of credit monitoring and insurance protection programs are available. But, are these products right for you? Most experts recommend that you obtain a copy of your credit report at least once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to ensure accuracy and to look for signs of ID theft.
How to leave identity thieves out in the cold
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. � It could happen to you. Somebody swipes your Social Security number, then uses it to open a credit card in your name. Before you know it, you've become a victim of identity theft and have a pile of bills for things you didn't buy. Sylvia Coates has found a way to prevent that unpleasant scenario from happening by freezing her credit reports. ``I can't tell you how wonderful it is. I think it is the only foolproof way,'' she said. Coates, who lives in Orinda, Calif., applied for a credit freeze soon after that option become available in 2003, thanks to passage of a state law there that requires credit reporting bureaus to let consumers initiate a credit freeze. Having a credit freeze means that access to your credit reports and credit scores cannot be shared with potential creditors or lenders unless you give permission.
African-American Entrepreneur Tackles Identity Theft; Invention To ...
Entrepreneur invents Bodiband, a safe, convenient alternative to the old-fashioned wallet. The product will debut on QVC April 29 at 1 p.m. Mitchellville, MD (PRWEB) April 19, 2004 --Bodiband, the patented new wallet you wear on your wrist, created by African-American entrepreneur-turned-inventor, Joseph Hayman, will debut on QVC April 29 at 1 p.m. Bodiband offers a safe, convenient alternative to the old-fashioned wallet, enabling people who travel, work and play to do so without worrying about their wallets. The new wristwallet, which goes onto the wrist with one-hand ease, stays within the owner�s easy reach, but out of the way of thieves. This significantly reduces the chances of one�s money or identity from being stolen. A recent report from the Federal Trade Commission revealed that an identity-theft victim can spend up to 175 hours and thousands of dollars trying to recover from the experience.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
ANSI is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and the American quality of life by promoting, facilitating, and safeguarding the integrity of the voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. Its membership is comprised of businesses, professional societies and trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations. The Institute currently administers five standards panels in the areas of biofuels, homeland security, nanotechnology, healthcare information technology, and identity theft prevention and identity management. American National Standards Institute (ANSI): CSR News, Events and Reports .
Thwart thieves by freezing credit
When it comes to keeping a thief from obtaining credit in your name, consumers have a tough weapon in the form of a so-called security freeze. When you freeze your credit report, you thwart would-be thieves by preventing creditors from checking your credit history. Few lenders will lend you – or a thief – money without first checking your credit report. Texans got added muscle in September, when a new law took effect that allows consumers to freeze their credit report without first having to have a police report. Previously, Texans couldn't freeze their credit reports unless they were victims of identity theft. .
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