Simple tips to protect you from fraud
If you’ve just been offered a generous amount of money over email by an anonymous person half-way across the world or have been asked to furnish your bank acｃount details and passwords, chances are someone’s trying to take you for a ride. As International Fraud Prevention Week starts on Nov. 15, let’s take a look at 30 simple ways you can protect yourself against online fraud.
Online shopping
Always use a trusted merchant while shopping online and make sure your every purchase is secured with encryption, which protects your acｃount information. To ensure that the transaction is secure, check that the web address starts with https://.
Use the block option
If you suspect someone suspicious is trying to contact you, don’t hesitate to block them or add them to your spam list.
Don't share bank details
Never, ever share your bank details with anyone. Your bank will never ask you for your acｃount number, PIN or password over email.
Invest in a good anti-virus
Use good anti-virus and anti-malware software to protect your computer, phones and tablets. Make sure you check regularly for software ｕpdates.
Avoid public computers for bank log ins
Avoid accessing your bank acｃounts from a public or office computer. If you can't avoid it, at least make sure to do it in private and log out from the pages after you're done.
Learn from mistakes
If you’ve ever been tricked online, share your experiences with family members, especially young people and the elderly, who are more likely to be fooled by scams.
Check credit reports annually
It's a good idea to review your credit reports at least once a year to ensure that no one is committing identity fraud under your name, such as applying for a loan, etc. Such activities are not reflected in your monthly card statements.
Checkbook
Don’t carry your checkbook everywhere. Keep it with you only when you need it.
Use multiple passwords
Never keep the same passwords for your various online acｃounts. It's a good idea to have different passwords for your emails, bank log-ins and social media acｃounts. It may seem like an added burden, but it can make a big difference to the security of your profiles.
ATM PIN
Memorize your ATM PIN and never write it anywhere, especially on your card.
Be careful while storing online
While storing information online or on a shared drive can free up precious device memory, never use such methods to store your financial details, such as bank IDs and passwords or personal photographs. You don’t want them to fall into wrong hands.
Manage your credit cards
If you have credit cards that you don’t use anymore, call your bank and get them cancelled. Also, whenever you receive a replacement card, destroy the older one immediately.
Choose your passwords carefully
Never use your date of birth, anniversary or phone numbers while setting up important passwords or pins. That’s the first thing someone will try out when trying to break into your acｃounts.
Public Wi-Fi hotspots may not be what they seem
Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi hotspots: look carefully at the names of Wi-Fi connections, as scammers can imitate trusted names to get you to connect without thinking.
Download apps from reliable source
Always download a banking app from a reliable source, as it requires you to enter a lot of your confidential information.
Delete after reading
Make it a habit to ｄelete all bank-related messages after reading as these carry significant confidential information about your finances.
Social security number
Don’t provide your social security number unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Keep your phones password-protected
Keep a pass-code for your phones or tablets so others can’t access without your permission. And never store your banking details on your mobile phone.
Don't trust anyone easily
Never share your bank details or credit card information with any random salesperson over the phone.
Say no to unknown links and attachments
Beware of any suspicious link that promises to make you rich instantly, reveal classified information or is pornographic in nature, and never open any attachments you don't trust. These may infect your computer with malware.
Examine monthly statements closely
Those monthly mails containing bank and card statements often go straight to the trash bin, but it’s advisable to check them carefully for any transactions you may not have made. Inform your bank immediately if you spot anything suspicious.
Avoid revealing personal details on social media
Avoid putting unnecessary information on your social media acｃounts, such as your mother’s maiden name, phone numbers or pet’s names. These can be picked up by hackers to break into your other acｃounts.
QR codes can be fraudulent, too
Treat QR Codes as you would suspicious links: all they are is a graphical way of sending you to a website.
Treat receipts with respect
Your transaction receipts may reveal a lot more than you think. Keep them safely stacked or dispose of them securely.
Know your billing cycle
Always keep track of your billing and statement cycles and know when you’re due for a payment. Staying up-to-date with all the information will help you spot any suspicious transactions faster.
Keep copies of all your cards and documents
Always keep photocopies of your financial documents and cards in a safe place, in case the originals get lost or stolen. You could use them by the time the replacements arrive.
E-bills make sense
Subscribe for e-bills. It will save you the hassles of storing hard copies which, if handled carelessly, may fall into the wrong hands.
Don't save card details on shopping websites
It may not be convenient to punch in your card details every time you shop online, but really it's a small price to pay considering it can save your card from being misused.
Be quick to report
A loss or theft of credit cards and other important documents should be taken very seriously. Don't wait: inform the required authorities immediately.
SOURCE:
VOCABULARY:
1. fraud - wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
2. QR code -a machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares, typically used for storing URLs or other information for reading by the camera on a smartphone.
3. annually - once a year every year.
4. hotspots - a public place with an available wireless signal for Internet access.
5. checkbook - a book of blank checks with a register for recording checks written.
DISCUSSION:
1. Is fraud a common crime in Korea?
2. How do you protect your banking information?
3. Online shopping is a very much preferred shopping outlet in Korea, how do you ensure your privacy and security when purchasing items online?
4. Do you keep your passwords electronically?
5. Are any information ever safe when stored digitally?
