As the Internet has become more popular, people have come to depend on it to pay bills, research information, and entertain themselves. Unfortunately, criminals and con artists also depend on the Internet to defraud others.
It’s important to protect yourself from security fraud online because the consequences can be devastating. If a criminal steals your personal information, he or she can take out lines of credit in your name or use your bank account to make purchases. This can wreak havoc with your finances and credit. In some cases, you may find yourself in legal trouble because thieves will most likely use your information to defraud others, sell stolen property, or otherwise engage in illegal activity. Also, if you need to make research on this topic but you don’t have enough time, you always can use college essay writing help and professional writers will do it for you. If you become ensnared as a suspected perpetrator in any fraudulent activity, it would be in your best interest to seek legal guidance immediately.
Theft charges are common in other many. Additionally, those charged with security fraud have to pay the heftiest fines and also battle to clear their name. Therefore, having legal representation will better your chances of getting out of the mess. Hence, it is important to be intentional with your Internet usage. As the saying goes, “It is better to be safe than sorry.”
Frequent computer use puts you at greater risk of security fraud. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to protect yourself from identity theft.
1. Keep Your Anti-Virus Software Up-to-Date
Your anti-virus software is one of the most important weapons in your arsenal against security fraud. Many Internet fraudsters use viruses or malicious programs to steal passwords, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information from your computer.
Update your anti-virus software regularly to maximize your protection against theft and fraud. Not only will viruses destroy your computer but also send themselves to your friends’ emails without your permission.
2. Don’t Open Suspicious Attachments
Be very careful if you receive an attachment via email, even if it’s from someone you know. Many fraudsters send viruses via email.
Before downloading and opening an attachment, run your virus checker to ensure the attachment is virus-free. If an email comes from a stranger with an attachment, you may want to delete it unread.
Be especially wary of emails stating they are from the IRS or other government organizations. These entities will never ask you for personal information over email. Con artists often try to fool you into thinking they are from these agencies to scare you into opening attachments or giving them personal information.
3. Verify Emails from Friends
Some popular scams involve misrepresenting a friend to steal money or your identity. For example, you may receive an email or instant message stating “I’ve been robbed and I need some money to get home from Europe.” If you receive such a message, resist the urge to run to your friend’s rescue. Contact your friend by telephone to verify the story. Most of the time, these stories are a result of scammers hacking your friend’s account, and in turn, they send messages to everyone in that friend’s address book as an attempt to steal money.
4. Practice Safe Internet Surfing
The best defense against Internet fraud is to practice safe browsing. Use these guidelines to keep yourself and your kids safe:
- Avoid sites that promise free downloads of music or movies. These sites are engaging in illegal activity and may contain viruses disguised as video or music files.
- Don’t put your banking information into any site with which you are not doing business. Use Paypal or another merchant service when buying items online to disguise your payment information.
- Check URLs before clicking on a search engine result or link posted on Facebook. Avoid links on social media that claim to go to “shocking” videos. They usually go to surveys or viruses.
Yes, frequent computer usage can put you at greater risk of fraud, but if you use these tips to take action, you can protect yourself, whether you are a victim of computer crimes or accused of crimes that you have not committed. If you are up against fraud or theft charges in Minnesota, consider speaking to a theft fraud attorney such as Kevin DeVore, an experienced criminal defense representation to people all over Minnesota and the Midwest.