Frauds, Scams and Slams: Internet Fraud

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Frauds, Scams and Slams Internet Fraud

• Prepared by
• Janice M. Park PH.D.
• Gerontology Specialist
• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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How Big Is The Internet Fraud Issue?

• 37.5 million inquiries in 6 months
• Most common complaints
• Internet auctions
• Undelivered merchandise
• Credit card fraud

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One of the Newest Internet Frauds

• Computer Generated Charges

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Tips for Shopping on the Web

• Secure sites
• Companies you know and trust
• Check out the company
• Is the company licensed
• Say No to unsolicited ads

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Maintain Privacy on the Web

• Safeguard passwords
• Personal Information
• Opt-Out-Option
• Caution about downloading programs

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Sample Opt-Out Form Letter
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How Much Can Internet Companies Learn While You
Surf?

• Personal tastes
• Gender
• Telephone numbers
• Habits
• Interests
• Purchase history
• Sites you have searched

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Activity What Does the Internet Know About You?

• Search by name
• Telephone number
• Address
• Part of Social Security Number

SS - --xxxx
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Ways Personal Information Gets on Web

• File-Sharing Network
• Downloading certain information -- music
• Snoop software

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How to Protect Personal Information

• Say No
• Use computer not connected to Internet
• Store personal information on disk
• Antivirus software
• Never open unknown e-mail
• Password

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What Can You Do if You Find Unwanted Information
on the Web?

• Contact the site
• Search engine services

ALTAVISTA
GOOGLE
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How to Protect Your PC From Intruders

• File share control
• Port blocking service
• Quarantine e-mail attachments
• Cookie blocker
• Content blockers

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What To Do If You Become an Internet Fraud Victim

• Contact
• FBI Clearinghouse
• National Fraud Information center
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
• Federal Trade Commission

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Information That You Should Know

• Antivirus protection

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• You Can Take Action Against Online Sharing of
  Personal Information.

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Is Big Brother Watching?