WHAT TO DO IF YOU LOSE YOUR PURSE OR WALLET:
We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your
name, address, SS#, credit, etc.. Unfortunately I (author of this piece)
have firsthand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month
and within a week the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell
phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line
approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from
the DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this
happens to you or someone you know. As everyone always advises,
cancel your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll
free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know who to call.
Keep those where you can find them easily (having to hunt for them
is additional stress you WON'T need at that point!).
File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction were it was stolen,
this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step
toward an investigation. (if there ever is one)
But here's what is perhaps most important; I never ever thought to do
this. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately
to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. I had never heard of
doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application
for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means
any company that checks your credit knows your information was
stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
(I, Greg, have seen this on credit reports more often than you
might think. I don't know if the agencies have standard language,
but it usually reads, in summary: "Fraudulent credit applications
using my correct personal information have been submitted in
name. If you are reading this and an application is being submitted,
do not approve it until you verify with me personally that it is a
legitimate application. I can be reached days at (phone #) or
evenings at (phone #)." Since new applications for credit are
rarely approved without first checking your on file credit bureau
report, this step can significantly reduce the possibility of
fraudulent accounts being opened. I believe that there is a federal
law that says that the victim of credit fraud is only liable up to a
maximum of $50, (for existing creditors, there may be a requirement
that you have already notified them of the theft, I'm not certain)
but in spite of that possible monetary limitation, it is still a big
inconvenience to get your credit report cleared and straightened
out and to get legitimate credit requests for yourself approved. As
is indicated below, speed is of the essence, as an experienced
thief will often act on the stolen cards and/or information very
quickly. They know that there is a good chance of a report
which will limit what they can do or get, so they have to act
quickly. This is not always the case, especially when the
information/cards are just lost rather than stolen, but why
take the chance?
By the time I was advised to do this - almost 2 weeks after the theft
all the damage had been done (there are records of all the credit
checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about
before placing the alert). Since then, no additional damage has been
done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone
turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks.
The numbers are:
Equifax 1-800 525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW) 1-800-301-7195
TransUnion 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at
1-800-269-0271
BUSTED
THE COMET CURSOR along with many other such FANCY software programs, is SPY Software. once you have been on a site that uses fancy cursors, they are in your registry and they track your surfing. they can then sell that information and know more about YOU!here are more:
Adware, Alexa 1.0-5.0, Aureate v1.0,2.0 + 3.0, Comet Cursor v1.0 and v2.0, Cydoor, Doubleclick, DSSAgent, EverAd, EzUla, Expedioware, Flyswat, Gator, Hotbar 1+2, OnFlow, NewDotNet, TimeSink v1.0,v2.0 and v5.0, Web3000, Webhancer and more...
to read more about SPY software, Spy Programs, and to learn how to detect it, remove it & more, see the link below!
Spy Programs
NOTICE: Microsoft has announced they will not include Smart Tags in the initial release of Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6. They have not, however, said that they are abandoning Smart Tags - just that they can't have it ready in time for the release in October (even though the feature is already present in Office XP which started shipping in June). Smart Tags are still scheduled to be included in a later release, however, so including the META tag now couldn't hurt.
With the introduction of Internet Explorer 6, Microsoft is attempting to command stronger control over the entire Web. The tool they're using to begin the process of lording their version of the Web over people like you is a seemingly innocuous little feature called "Smart Tags."
The idea is rather simple; now instead of Web site authors and developers deciding which words and phrases will become hyperlinks visitors can click on to get more information or visit other pages, Microsoft will start inserting links into pages where there were never intended to be links in the first place. Microsoft is going to decide where your links go.
Smart Links, which are also part of Office XP, are turned off by default, but that doesn't mean they'll stay off.
However, Web site authors can include a META tag on their pages (and it will have to appear on every page if you want every page protected from Redmond interference) to prevent Smart Tags from appearing.
To protect your pages, cut and paste the following tag into the head of each Web page on your site(s):
<meta name="MSSmartTagsPreventParsing" content="TRUE">
spread the word on disabling Smart Tags - send people back here to find out more about Microsoft's plans.
Microsoft's Smart Tags page.
More opposition to Smart Tags:
webmasters - CNET.com/CatchUp
- scan your PC for any out-of-date software
- check your software for vulnerabilities
- detect adware and other third-party components (and auto-remove them)
- from software updates to security fixes
- CatchUp automatically finds what you
need to keep your PC up-to-date
