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Follow these steps to protect yourself from identity theft whether you’re at home or travelling ?
Prevent identity theft at bank machines by protecting your PIN number!
Online crimes are a growing problem. In the U.S. alone last year, more than half a billion dollars were lost due to fraud perpetrated through the Internet. That’s up from just over US$264 million in 2008.
One of the most popular online travel frauds can occur even in the safety of your own home. “Phishing” is when a criminal sends a message identifying him or herself as someone you know, claiming they are away travelling, in an effort to get personal data or money.
For example, you might receive an e-mail that appears to be from a friend or colleague saying they’ve lost their luggage and need you to send money to help them out. Problem is, the e-mail isn’t coming from who you think it is.
Travellers are also vulnerable to keystroke-logging software, which records each character typed on a computer in a public space, such as a hotel business centre or an Internet café.
And you don’t have to be using an infected computer to lose your personal info. An unsecured wireless network at an airport or resort can allow hackers in as well.
One more thing to watch for is shoulder surfers. These are the scammers who will stand behind you and surreptitiously peek over your shoulder in an attempt to collect your sensitive data.
Shoulder surfers have been known to gather people’s PINs at banking machines, record the numbers off people’s calling cards, and take note of passwords as they’re being entered on computers.
Just to be safe, always cover your keyboard from public view when you’re typing in passwords or other important information.
Originally published in TV Week. For daily updates, subscribe to the free TV Week e-newsletter, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.