I received this e-mail today
U.S. Bank 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Ste. 510. Washington, DC 20036 SWIFT (US): USBKUS44XXX Founded: United States of America Hours: Open 24 Hours Attention: Good Day. This message is to inform you that the U.S Government has instructed us to remit the sum of $2. Million US dollar into your account, the reason for this is because your name was among the scam victims that lost a lot of money to African and European Fraudsters, you are hereby advised to without delay stop all you have going on between you and anybody on INTERNET because you will end up at nothing, hence, it was concluded that your FUNDS has to be remitted to you in two manners, as the one that best suites you, the 2 options are: 1. BANK TO BANK SWIFT TELEGRAPHIC WIRE TRANSFER. 2. BY ATM CARD PAYMENT We are waiting your immediate response with your information's and payment option to enable this bank proceeds immediately with the transfer of your fund and serve you better details required are: Your Full Name: Your Full Home Address: Valid Phone Number: Sex: Age: Occupation: Valid ID Attached: Do not send money up front fee to anyone from Europe or African again for what so ever reason. The US bank will immediately remit your account once I reconfirm your banking details. Congratulations. Mr. Rick Ruzzi Executive Region Manager USBANK. WARNING ------------------------------------------------------ You are to keep the details all of your information confidential and avoid informing anyone of it until we have successfully moved the fund to your location. This is accordance with our security measure to avoid miss-claim and prevent impostor/fraud.
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. The 2016 Identity Fraud Study, released by Javelin Strategy & Research, found that $15 billion was stolen from 13.1 million U.S. consumers in 2015, compared with $16 billion and 12.7 million victims a year earlier.
One of the reasons what criminals have an easy access to your private information is because they count greed, desperation or ignorance to get you to provide you all the pieces they need.
You will note that in the above they dint’ ask for my social or my birthday. Chances are they think they may already have it. As a matter of fact the birthday that I have on many social media account is NOT my birthday, just for this purpose. One of the best ways to have a fake birthday is to choose an non important events historical like 2/28/83 (last Episode of MASH) if you are young, or Nov 23, 1963 (Kennedy Assassination or filming of Gilligan’s Island), or Sept 8, 1966 (Premere of Star Trek). I think you can get the general idea. Don’t post the city your really live in , use one that is next to you. Don’t put down Chicago IL, put down Lake Bluff, IL. Create a fake Internet persona for some of your internet activity.
Other things you can do.
- Secure your social security number. You have been warned not to carry your social security card in your wallet or write your number on your checks. Only give out your social security number (SSN) when absolutely necessary. and honestly, you don’t have to give it to anyone but an employer.
- Leave nothing of value in your parked car to tempt identity thieves. This means your wallet, laptop and mobile device.
- Don’t respond to unsolicited requests for personal information (your name, birth date, social security number, or bank account number) by phone, mail, or online. Just like what the e-mail was requesting.
- Watch out for “shoulder surfers.” Shield the keypad when typing your passwords or PINS on computers and at ATMs.
- When using a Debit card..select CREDIT. You have more protection.
- Collect mail promptly. Ask the post office to put your mail on hold when you are away from home.
- Pay attention to your billing cycles. If bills or financial statements are late, contact the sender.
- Review your receipts. Ask for carbon copies and incorrect charge slips as well. Promptly compare receipts with account statements. Watch for unauthorized transactions.
- Shred receipts, credit offers, account statements, and expired cards, to prevent “dumpster divers” from getting your personal information. Use a micro-cut shredder.
- Secure your smartphone with a password. A recent survey found that more than a quarter of adults with smartphones fail to protect them with a password. When you set your password, avoid those that would be easy to guess, like birthdates, kids’ names, pet names or numbers in a sequence (1,2,3,4).
- Use a gel pen to write out checks. Mail thieves can wash off ballpoint pen and rewrite the check.
- Use strong passwords to protect financial accounts. Consider a passphrase rather than just a passcode or password.
As I said one of the reasons that Identity Theft is successful, isn’t because they have to go thru your garbage to get your information, they can just look at what info you have on your Facebook profile. So just be careful how much information you give.
AND DON’T FALL FOR THE TRAP FREE MONEY!
PepperEyes Self-Defense, Safety and Security Store is dedicated to providing you with the best and most affordable self-defense products, survival and safety products on the market to meet the security needs of you, your family members or your business, by assisting anyone who is unwilling to become a victim of crime. If you want to take personal responsibility for protection, home security, business security, purchase our high quality discount self-defense products. Survival kits and arm yourself with the knowledge about self-defense and security products and information of the best way to stay secure in an ever-increasing violent world. In today’s society, being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option.
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