My #1 Complaint – My Clients Don’t Protect Themselves from Fraud and Cyber Crim

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My 1 Complaint My Clients Dont Protect
Themselves from Fraud and Cyber Crime
Anthony Semadeni
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My 1 Complaint My Clients Dont Protect
Themselves from Fraud and Cyber Crime
Everyday of the year is Christmas for the
criminal in todays cyber--world. With
technology making fraud and scams look more
legitimate, its upon everyones shoulders to
protect themselves from both online and offline
business offers. Heres my shortest
bullet--point list of things to know in order
for you to be proactive in protecting not only
your financial assets, but your online reputation
as well. Internet Fraud Scam artists in the
U.S. and around the world defraud millions of
people each year by using the Internet to trick
victims into sending money or giving out personal
information.
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My 1 Complaint My Clients Dont Protect
Themselves from Fraud and Cyber Crime
Types of Internet Fraud Internet crime schemes
target victims using various methods. Internet
auction fraud -- This scheme involves the
misrepresentation of a product advertised for
sale on an Internet auction site or
non--delivery of merchandise. Credit card fraud
-- Through the unauthorized use of a
credit/debit card, or card number, scammers
fraudulently obtain money or property. Investment
fraud -- This is an offer using false claims to
solicit investments or loans, or providing for
the purchase, use, or trade of forged or
counterfeit securities.
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My 1 Complaint My Clients Dont Protect
Themselves from Fraud and Cyber Crime
Nigerian letter or 419 fraud -- Named for the
violation of Section 419 of the Nigerian Criminal
Code, it combines the threat of impersonation
fraud with a variation of an advance fee scheme
in which a letter, e--mail, or fax is received
by the victim. Tips for Avoiding Internet
Fraud Preventative measures will assist you in
being informed prior to entering into
transactions over the Internet. Know your seller
-- If you dont know who youre buying from
online, do some research.
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My 1 Complaint My Clients Dont Protect
Themselves from Fraud and Cyber Crime
Protect your personal information -- Dont
provide it in response to an e-mail, a pop--up,
or a website youve linked to from an e--mail or
web page. The Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) has additional tips to protect yourself and
your family from the various types of Internet
fraud. Report Internet Fraud If you believe
youve been a victim of Internet fraud or cyber
crime, report it You can report a cyber scam or
threat by filing a complaint with the Internet
Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
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My 1 Complaint My Clients Dont Protect
Themselves from Fraud and Cyber Crime
Financial Fraud Scam artists use different types
of fraud to try to trick people out of their
money. Two common types of fraud are banking
scams and investment scams. Banking
Scams Popular banking scams include fake check
scams, where a scam artist creates counterfeit
checks that look legitimate, with watermarks,
routing numbers, and the names of real financial
institutions. They then try to deposit them in
banks, use them as part of other frauds against
consumers, or use them to pay companies for
products or services.
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My 1 Complaint My Clients Dont Protect
Themselves from Fraud and Cyber Crime
unsolicited check fraud, where a scammer may send
you a check that you didnt have a legitimate
reason to receive. Unfortunately, if you cash it,
you may be authorizing the purchase of items you
didnt ask for, signing up for a loan, or
something else you didnt ask for. The Federal
Trade Commission offers tips to help you avoid
being a victim of these scams, and recommends
what to do if you have been a victim. Investment
Scams Investment scams prey on your hope to earn
interest or a return on investment on the amount
of money that you invest. The Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) offers overviews of
many common investment frauds, and tips to avoid
being a victim.
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My 1 Complaint My Clients Dont Protect
Themselves from Fraud and Cyber Crime
If you are the victim of an investment fraud, you
can file a complaint with the SEC or with
your states securities administrator. Charity
Scams Not all organizations that claim to be
charities or help people are reputable. Some scam
artists set up fake organizations, taking
advantage of the publics generosity immediately
after a tragedy or major disaster. Some tips to
help you detect common charity scam
tactics Check out the charity before you give
with the attorney general or the Better Business
Bureau.
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My 1 Complaint My Clients Dont Protect
Themselves from Fraud and Cyber Crime
Dont be pressured to give to an
organization. Dont assume that you can get a
tax deduction for donating to an organization.
Use the IRSs database of 501(c)3
organizations to find out if it has this
status. Verify the name. Fake charities often
choose names that are similar to well established
charities or use keywords that elicit sympathy,
such as children, cancer, or disaster
relief. Dont send cash. Pay with a check or
credit card. If you suspect charity fraud,
report it to the Federal Trade Commission.
Although the Do Not Call Registry doesnt apply
to charities, you can ask an organization not to
contact you again.
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My 1 Complaint My Clients Dont Protect
Themselves from Fraud and Cyber Crime
About the Author Anthony L Semadeni has been
consulting with business owners over the past
decade, helping them understand the complexities
of business marketing and brand awareness in the
Internet age. Through his company, Business
Checkup, he helps protect owner and business
brand reputations. For more information, please
visit http//www.onlinereputationmanagement.info o
r call 719--309--4499. Tony can be found
at  http//www.tonysemadeni.com
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