ARTICLES

Protect Your Identity Week / National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

by Mark Pribish, Vice President-ID Practice Leader, Merchants Information Solutions, Inc.

You have probably heard about or participated in some type of industry group or cause that supports a “national theme of the month” promotion.  I am highlighting two such cases, the 3rd Annual National Protect Your Identity Week October 17th-23rd, and National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October.

Protect Your Identity Week (PYIW) is organized by The Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB) and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).  This cause is supported by the fact that the number of identity fraud victims in the United States increased 12 percent to 11.1 million adults in 2009, while the total annual fraud amount increased by 12.5 percent to $54 billion. 

Small business owners are encouraged to participate in this 3rd annual event by taking advantage of educational workshops and shredding events.

Sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, participation in the 7th Annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month can support your cyber education and training and help you with Internet security, along with learning to better protect your personal and financial assets.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, “the cyber threat has become one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face.  America’s competitiveness and economic prosperity in the 21st century will depend on effective cybersecurity.  Every Internet user has a role to play in securing cyberspace and ensuring the safety of ourselves, our families, and our communities online.”

The Department of Homeland Security has provided some cyber security best practices and tips including the following:

  • Know who you're dealing with online.
  • Keep your web browsers and operating system updated.
  • Back up important files.
  • Protect your children online.
  • Use security software tools as your first line of defense.
  • Use strong passwords or strong authentication technology to help protect your personal information.
  • Learn what to do if something goes wrong.

Watch out for the following example:

FDIC Debt Collection Scam
Receiving a phone call from a debt collector can be a harrowing experience.  Collection agents often sound threatening and always promise harsh actions if you do not pay your debt in full, or at least make some reasonable payment.

Now imagine getting a similar phone call from a federal agency.  Threats from federal agents sound much worse: job loss and possible arrest!  Don’t be too worried; this is not really a federal agent.  It’s a scam artist.

How it Works:  You may receive a phone call from someone claiming to represent the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC.)  The person on the other end of the line tells you that they have obtained your sensitive personally identifiable information and claim that you owe some kind of debt.  They also tell you that if you do not pay immediately, you may be arrested or lose your job.  They will also ask you to make a payment over the phone in order to avoid either penalty.

Your Defense:  The FDIC has absolutely nothing to do with debt collection and will rarely, if ever, contact consumers.  To try to determine whether the caller is an authentic representative of the organization they claim to be calling for, you should consider the following:

  • Make the caller identify for whom they are collecting.
  • Do you owe any money to, or even have an account with that organization?
  • Do you even have any outstanding debt?
  • Are you behind on your payments?

If your answers to the above questions is no, hang up the phone.  Don’t give them the time of day.

If a caller claims to have your Social Security Number or other personally identifiable information, you may already be a victim of identity theft.  Run a credit report on yourself to determine if you have any new accounts that you did not approve.  Place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus to block any new account requests.  This will also alert you when someone attempts to use your credit information for fraudulent purposes and may lead to the capture of the identity thief.

If a legitimate collection agency is trying to collect money from you, they should send a notice via postal mail and start making phone calls only when notices go unanswered. Never allow anyone to bully you into making a payment over the phone.  If you are not comfortable with the conversation and suspect foul play, ask that they contact you in writing regarding the matter.

About the Author
One of the leading ID Theft Risk Management experts in the U.S. today, Mark Pribish is Vice President-ID Practice Leader for Merchants Information Solutions, Inc.

Merchants Information Solutions, Inc. is a nationally recognized provider of Identity Theft Protection and Recovery solutions and Background  Checks and Screening solutions for pre-employment and tenant screening.

For more information, please contact:
Chris Guetzkow
Partners Resource Group
612.238.0340
chrisg@idsafesource.com

 

Editors Note: Skjold ▪ Barthel welcomes article submissions from friends and clients. Publication does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement of viewpoints, products or services.