FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN
/ Financial Security
/
Editorial List
I received this email last week:
Identity thieves posing as the Internal Revenue Service are
sending spam emails promising government economic stimulus
packages. It prompts the user to download the attachment and
fill in their personal information for the IRS to send their
check.
Always use best security practices when reviewing your email
and do not open any email attachments from unknown senders.
Click here for more information.
Since I didn’t know the
organization, I copied their web address and
placed it within a search engine rather than
clicking on the direct link. It turned out to be a real organization,
but so many times they are not. It is important to remember a few things:
1) Your financial
institution will not email you to ask to email
them your social security number or bank account
information, they already have those details.
2) As in all things to do
with
caregiving, if you think that something sounds wrong or
inappropriate, it probably is.
3) No fleeing dictator from
east Africa, widow of royalty or overseas trust
attorney (that you do not already know,) is
going to share any part of a multi-million
dollar bonanza with you. They are looking to make a payday, not share one.
4) Once you respond to these emails,
they know that they have a “live one” on the other end and
will undoubtedly sell your email address or try another
scam. This is why email junk files were designed.
For more information:
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt127.shtm
Share your personal story about identity theft
or online scam
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
