Kroll Fraud Solutions Blog – A Dialogue on Data Security

Tip #6: Seasonal Deal or Scam?

This time of year, scammers are out in force, and if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. A few traditional scams to be on the watch for:

Tip #5: Travel Safely
The holidays are a popular time for travel – whether you’re visiting far away relatives or taking a needed break. It naturally follows that this time of year has an abundance of identity thieves and other scammers looking to steal your personal information.

• Beware of fraudulent travel deals, particularly online. The deal may simply be not as advertised, or they may be nonexistent – it could be that it is merely a setup  to steal your personal information. As with any scam, do your research – determine whether or not the agency is legitimate beforehand, such as through the Better Business Bureau.

Young adults often make poor choices when it comes to social networking; so, many people argue that the younger generation simply doesn’t care about their own privacy. However, a recent survey refutes that argument – entitled How Different are Young Adults from Older Adults When it Comes to Information Privacy Attitudes and Policies?, it reveals little evidence that young adults’ attitudes toward privacy are fundamentally different from those of older adults. What the data did show, however, was that a higher proportion of 18-24 year olds believe (incorrectly) that information privacy laws protect their data both online and offline than do other age groups.

The average online computer user faces many security threats.  Users are commonly reminded to keep their operating systems up to date,  install virus software and firewalls, and have at least one anti-spyware program running at all times. Kroll investigators counsel members of our identity theft programs to reduce their fraud exposure to Internet threats with this advice. We also remind them not to fall victim to a false sense of security. Identity theft protection does not exempt consumers from following practices to reduce their likelihood of becoming a victim while online. When it comes to online safety, best practices involve avoiding questionable websites, using social networking safely and being stingy with personal information.   Now, we add to our list of advice “close inactive browser tabs.” Why? To prevent a relatively new phenomenon known as “tabnapping.” 

On Monday, January 18, 2010, Kroll Fraud Solutions will post the first in our series of data security tips for consumers. The tips are part of our effort to make data security a New Year’s resolution for all consumers.

There are many ways that individuals can safeguard their sensitive personal information. Check back next week, and in the future, for helpful tips and advice.