Larue Insurance Agency, Inc

Archive for the ‘Identity Theft’ Category

Anyone who has lived for 25 years or more has seen a tremendous change in the technology we use today and most of us would consider it to be good. We now have cell phones, internet, wireless computers and all sorts of new devices that allow us to live and work more efficiently but they have certianly changed the way we do business. Those of us that are old enough to remember the past, used to go to the bank or other business to transact our business.  They knew us and we knew tham and we could generally trust each other. Identity Theft was not a consideration.

While this new technology has been generally received as beneficial, it brings with it a whole new opportunity for the dishonest to take advantage of us.  It seems that there are new ways emerging every day where the crooks try to get information they can use to “clean your account” out.

One way or another they are devising new schemes where they contact you claiming to be your bank or some other business you do business with. They will leave a message stating they need specific information and that you should call them back or email them and give them information that only you will know. They want your account information and PIN number.  They may send you an email, leave a voice mail, send a text message  or leave a message on your old fashioned home recorder asking you to call them back at an “800″ number.  As an alternative they may have you go to a special website to enter the requested information.  Typically these websites will have the logo of the bank in question and will look real in every respect but they may not be. Keep in mind if they are a legitimite business you deal with they should already have this information and not be asking for it.

Generally speaking the business world does not ask you for information in this way. The key is to always be skeptical and guard your information very carefuly.  While it may be very convenient to call them back at the phone number theft left for you, you do not know where that phone number may go to or who is at the other end of the phone.  The best protection is to call them back or email them at a phone number or email that appeared on your most recent bill.  In short GET YOUR OWN PHONE NUMBER that you know is legitimate. You might even ask the person on the other end if they did in fact try and reach you.  You will probably learn that they did not.

Keep in mind this same technique could be done in the form of a FAX or a letter.  Again, if they are asking for sensitive information contact the business from an address that you got off of an actual bill.  That is the only document you can truly trust as legitimate.  Anyone can create a bogus letter and a fax is easier yet.

The most vulnerable among us us are the youngest and the oldest.  The young people tend to trust all technology as good and will easliy respond to inquiries.  The elderly are easily confused and hungry for attention so they tend to give information up easily often without question.  Please warn your friends young and old alike to Get Your Own Phone Number when responding to an inquiry.