Are You Safe From the Latest Facebook and Twitter Scams?
When you log on to social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter, are you worried about preventing identity theft?
Maybe you should be. Three in 10 people have experienced some type of scam on a social networking site, according to a study by security firm Webroot.
Security Central magazine in July pinpointed 5 of the latest social networking site scams. Ensure identity theft protection by learning and avoiding them:
1. Send me money!
You get a message (a Tweet, a direct message, a wall post, an IM, etc.) from a “friend” who says he is in trouble. He was pick-pocketed in another country and needs you to wire money. Because the scammer hacked into your “friend’s” account, he seems to be a trusted source and knows personal details about you. So you might be convinced to offer up sensitive bank account information.
2. The latest celebrity news!
Be wary of messages that promise new or never-before-heard celebrity gossip. A recent popular scam? Top-secret information about the death of Michael Jackson. The link to the story might ask you to download a file. Instead, you may end up installing some type of malware (short for malicious software) on your computer, which can damage or steal your data.
3. Did you hear what was said about you in this blog?
Whether it’s on your wall, in your inbox or in an instant message, you might be asked an attention-grabbing question. Clicking on the link directs you to a fake login screen, where you are asked to enter your personal information.
4. Update your personal information.
Be on the lookout for messages, emails or requests to update your personal information. These too may lead you to a fake login, where your personal data is stolen.
5. Find out your IQ!
A recent Facebook IQ test application, according to Security Central, asked users for their cell phone numbers in order to receive a text message with the IQ test results. By doing so, users were enrolled in a costly text messaging service. Unfortunately, many people failed to read the fine print.
These scams are no doubt scary, but preventing identity theft online can be achieved by following a few useful tips.
• Use privacy settings to protect your personal information. Limit your private and more sensitive information to “friends” only. Or better yet, exclude it completely.
• Come up with a unique password for your social networking account. Don’t use the same password for online banking, job-related sites, etc.
• Make sure your computer is protected with a reliable firewall and the latest anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
• Use good, old-fashioned common sense and be on guard for any suspicious behavior. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Check your credit report to ensure your identity hasn’t been compromised. And use an identity theft protection service that alerts you to any suspicious activity.
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