Phishing is an attempt by an identity thief to obtain private account numbers or other personal identifying information over the Internet. The thief engineers an official-looking e-mail purporting to be from a financial institution, credit card company, or other entity holding sensitive personal information. These fraudulent e-mails ask the receiving consumers to provide or confirm personal data, such as account numbers, social security numbers, dates of birth, and other sensitive data. NEVER reply to such an e-mail.
Byrnes Kirkwood - Red Bank, New Jersey
Every day, thousands of people are victimized by computer hackers, spam e-mails, and Internet phishing scams. These cyber criminals are responsible for untold suffering and financial loss.
If you have been the victim of identity theft, the experienced attorneys at Byrnes Kirkwood can help. Contact our law office in Red Bank, New Jersey to learn more about how we can help you.
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Have you been the victim of identity theft? Call Byrnes Kirkwood at 732-219-7711. Our partners, Sean F. Byrnes and Christopher Kirkwood, have more than 40 years of combined legal experience.
We are passionate advocates for the victims of identity theft. Contact Byrnes Kirkwood today to speak with an attorney who will fight for you.
Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
In this modern time of electronic transactions and widespread data sharing, every consumer should take precautions to protect his or her private identifying information. In the wrong hands, your important personal information can be used fraudulently and to your detriment. Identity theft can cause financial and personal loss. If you suspect you have been the victim of identity fraud, an attorney from Byrnes Kirkwood, Attorneys at Law in Red Bank, New Jersey, can give you advice about what steps you should take and what legal remedies might be available to you.
Protect Your Valuable Information
Certain personal information is particularly valuable when it comes to fraud. Important private data that is essential to keep private includes:
- Social Security numbers
- Drivers license numbers
- Passport numbers
- Dates of birth
- Account numbers
- Passwords
- PIN numbers
- Taxpayer ID numbers
- Employer ID numbers
Protect Yourself at Home
- Keep important documents in a locked and secure place. Most identity theft is committed by people personally known by the victim, including relatives; friends; neighbors; and household employees, contractors, and service providers.
- Before discarding documents containing personal information, shred them. “Dumpster divers” are notorious for confiscating personal data from curbside trash bins and recycling containers.
- Make your mailbox as secure as possible and avoid leaving incoming or outgoing mail in an insecure box. Make other arrangements for receiving new blank checks than through the mail.
Protect Yourself in Public
- Shield your transactions at ATMs. “Shoulder surfers” typically try to obtain password, PIN, and account information by watching ATM users.
- Keep track of your purse or wallet. Stolen purses and wallets are still the biggest source of personal data for thieves.
- Keep the front of your credit card private and covered as much as possible. Identity thieves can secretly take a picture of the name, number, and expiration date.
- Try not to verbally recite any important information during a public transaction that could be overheard.
Protect Yourself on the Internet
- Only conduct Internet business with reputable companies through secure Web sites.
- Never respond to “phishing” e-mails that request personal data or ask you to confirm it. Delete these e-mails. Identity thieves commonly send e-mails created to look like the correspondence from reputable companies or agencies by using their logos and slogans.
- Do not open attachments or use links in e-mails from unknown or questionable sources. Doing so could unknowingly install “spyware” programs that mine your personal information from your computer.
Protect Yourself on the Telephone
Telephone phishing occurs too. Never give out or confirm account or other personal information unless you are ABSOLUTELY certain you are speaking with the reputable merchant or entity with which the caller claims to be.
Conclusion
There are new schemes for stealing your identity invented all the time. Stay one step ahead of the identity thieves. For more tips, consult the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft//. A lawyer experienced in consumer protection law at Byrnes Kirkwood, Attorneys at Law in Red Bank, New Jersey, can also advise you about avoiding identity theft.
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