1. Pharming & Phishing.   Most everyone has at least heard of 'Phishing'.  Now You have to be on guard for new form of Online fraud called 'Pharming'.  'Phishing' is an Identity-Theft-Scam using fake emails that ask you to update bank account information or credit card information.  Links that accompany the email allow you to send it all right back to the Thieves.  Now there is 'Pharming', where ID Thieves create and use completely fake Web Site very similar to the an actual Web Site used by a Bank or credit card company or service.  And they look pretty real and official.  If a Consumer is not on guard, they log in and give the information right to the Thieves.

Look for 'strange or new' digits or words in the 'address of the supposed site.  When in doubt, call your bank or the Company who's Site has appears Hijacked and ask them about it.  Some Crooks will have hijacked a bank's Website, or use a Front Page looking just like the Official one.  The ask you to log in and give them everything.  They will indeed ask for Your Social Security Number somewhere along the line.  That is a sure Give-Away that should tell you to 'Stop" and call your Bank or Credit Card Company.  Check it out first!

2. Paying At the Pump.   Everyone buys Gas.  Ever swipe your credit or debit card right at the Pump?   You may never do that again once You learn that 'Your Information' is being sent by satellite right to your bank!   And it can be Hijacked by ID Thieves who are now using sophisticated software programs that sends Your data right to them the very moment it is transmitted to your Bank.   Try not to use a Debit Card.   At least Credit Cards can be disputed more easily, while a Debit Card is the same as a check.    Start paying for your gas at the Cash Register again.

3. Skimming Your Credit Card.  Skimming is common in both the U.S. and Overseas.   Normally, Your Credit Card is swiped through a reader or scanner, this sends the information to Your Card Company or Bank.  'Skimming' is swiping the card through a different reader first, to capture the information for an credit card Thief.  How do they do that?  Its real easy, if You allow the 'employee' who has taken your card for payment, 'out of your site'.   Common all throughout the Service Industry; Gas Stations, Restaurants, Auto Repair & Auto Service Companies and anywhere else someone asks for your card when You are not at the Cashiers or at the Cash Register.  This form of fraud is very effective.  Why?  It takes full advantage of your desire for service convenience and it uses your own relaxed apathy against you.  Oh yes, what you are not paying attention too will allow them free reign to steal from you.  Don't allow or let Your Card Out-of-Your Sight!  Plus, always check for additional small devices that are normally not present.

4. Keystroke Catchers.   A small device that looks just like a standard Keyboard Connector that hooks the computer to the keyboard.  Using it will allow its memory to record anything and everything You type into that computer.  It is commonly found in Public Libraries, College Libraries, Computer Labs, and especially Internet Cafes.  In use in the U.S. and Overseas.  Do not use any Computer for Public Use to do your shopping, check on your Bank Accounts, Pay Your Bills, and never type in any credit card data.  It is recording everything, even your passwords.  By the way, did you know that a 'Keystroke Catcher' only costs around $100.00 online?

5. Database theft.   There is little that You can really do on this one.  Numerous Databases already maintain lots of information concerning you, whether you enjoy that thought or not.  Your doctor, dentist, insurance agent & his company, even your auto-mechanic may have something.  You must start limiting their access to your data.  If your phone company has your Social Security Number, attend to them in person and have it expunged from the record.  They have no valid reason to have it.   It is not much, but it is something.

6. Overpayment.  This is a very clever scam.  You sell something through Your Business, Company, or You sell something through an Online Auction.  The Buyer sends in payment.  And it is a Personal Check or Company Check with an 'Overpayment', made out to anywhere from $500.00 to $5000.00 more than the payment should be.  Customer then calls You and claims they sent the wrong check with Your Name on it or Your Companies Name on it.  Then they simply request you to go ahead with the transaction, accepting the 'overpayment' and kindly requesting that you just reimburse them the difference, 'right away', because it is essential they get those funds returned.  Only later, You find out that check is 'Forged' and You are just out the money.  Don't accept 'Overpayments' of any kind.  Do not send out any merchandise until the correct payment is received.  You can just send the 'overpayment' back to the individual, or You can take the overpayment to your Bank, letting them know your suspicions and letting them handle it through their Fraud department.

7. Sending False Billing to the Elderly.   Unfortunately, this does happen and it can be devastating when successful.  For the Elderly who have a good Credit Rating and pay their bills on time, family and/or close friends may need to monitor just what bills are being paid each month and at what time of month these bills arrive.  Some Scam Artists are forwarding fraudulent, but official looking bills around the beginning of each month requiring a payment for services rendered (however, no such services were rendered or received).   All to often, some elderly, thinking they have forgotten or missed a payment, write out a check for the stipulated amount and mail it.  Once the check is cashed, the money is gone.

8. Fraudulent Investigators calling real Card Holders direct to gain Code information.  (reprinted from the Snopes.com website warning about criminal activity, it has been edited to fit format)  You may read entire article here:  http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp  

    This scam is certainly slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.

    Please Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.   This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.    One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "Master Card". 

     The scam works like this:  Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA.    My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling ! to verify.    This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in Arizona?   " When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account.   This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards.   Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?    You say or answer "yes".   

     The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud investigation.    If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security.   You will need to refer to this Control Number.    The caller then gives you a 6 digit number.    "Do you need me to read it again?"    Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works.    The caller then says, " I need to verify You are in possession of your Credit Card".     He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers".     There are 7 numbers:  the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the Security Code or CVV2 Code that verify you are the possessor of the card.    These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card.   The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him.   After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still  have your card. Do you have any other questions?"   After you say "No", the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.    

You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Credit Card Number.    But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question.    Are we glad we did!    The REAL VISA S security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card.    Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account.   VISA is re-issuing us a new number.    What the scammers want is the 3-digit CVV2 Code  number on the back of the card.    Don't give it to them!   Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation.    

The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card!     If you give the scammers Your 3 Digit Code  Number, you think you're receiving a credit.   However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

9.  Any Phone Call from anyone requesting PIN, PASSWORD, or other sensitive Data needed to operate accounts.    Hang Up on this caller.   No one reputable calls by phone requesting such data.  There are scams that have a caller requesting to confirm a PIN or other PASSWORDS.   Sometimes they just ask you to confirm your Social Security Number.  Don't do it.  Hang Up!    You do not have to CONFIRM ANYTHING BY PHONE!

10.  A Man named --- Zeus.   You must be aware of Zeus and the potential of his programs to highjack your computer using spyware.  It is said that Zeus is Russian and very talented despite being unscrupulous.   You must guard against him using your computer.   And Zeus will use your computer if given the chance. 

A.  Zeus sends Spyware to watch your computer, monitoring your system while waiting for you to enter a financial secured area.  

B.   When you do, more Spyware is automatically and secretly uploaded into your computer and it will join with other PC's to move huge sums of money from many Banks to an undisclosed destination overseas.   

C.   Protect your PC from E-Cards from folks you do not know (a favorite vehicle of Zeus).    Don't accept E-Card Invitations coming into your email.    If you don't know the person sending it, do not click the link.   In fact, forget clicking on any unsolicited Links or attachment that come into your Email System.  

That alone will aid in helping protect your systems against Zeus.   Clean your computer daily using a good reputable Spyware Program.   Being strict about NOT CLICKING unsolicited links will go a long way in protecting you against Zeus and other such entities.