Protecting Our Identity

Most major banks now offer their own credit cards. Washington Mutual(Wamu) is a national brick and mortar and online bank. Banks have many different types of credit cards, which makes sense after taking over or merging with several other banks that had numerous types of credit cards themselves. Like most banks offering their own series of credit cards, Wamu has a wide variety for consumers to choose from.

With so many option to choose from, we have made it easy for you to get a card custom fitted for you.

This bank actually has its own branch that deals just specifically with credit cards and nothing else. Most major banks have a dedicated credit card division that is subsidiaries of the main company. The theory behind this is that by running the company this way there will be more direct service and better response to the customers’ needs and desires.

There are many different levels of cards. There are basic credit cards, the gold card, the platinum card, rewards card, and a wide variety of business credit cards, as well, so you can keep business separate from personal expenses. There is a plan in the near future to eliminate the gold cards and make all opening cards platinum level. This might make it harder for individuals with terrible credit to start out with a card, but it also means the most base line of Washington Mutual credit cards will have a higher level of bonuses.

One of the best features of the Wamu platinum credit cards is that they all start out with a 0% APR for a limited introduction time, and they also all have natural protection in case someone makes an unauthorized charge on your card. That way if you ever suffer from identity theft or errant charges, you will not be held responsible. There are many credit card companies that force you to pay extra for that kind of payment protection, as either a flat fee or a percentage of the outstanding balance.

Online servicing sites allow users to check their balances and payment information any time of the day. One free credit score is kept track of every month, so in addition to being able to pay online and see everything about your credit card in a glance, you can also keep track of your over all credit health by keeping track of your credit score.

Aside from the basic platinum cards, there are also the “real rewards” credit cards, which offer a point for every dollar spent, which can then be used for a wide variety of services from restaurant coupons to gift certificates to frequent flyer miles. This wide variety of uses for these points is a plus, and everyone likes to get a little extra bonus for using their cards.

There are a lot of credit card companies out there, but the added bonuses of a great online page, as well as natural anti-theft protection helps Wamu credit cards to stand out a little bit stronger over the rest of the competition. If they continue to improve services, then they’re sure to remain a favorite credit card among borrowers everywhere.



By: Thomas Boston

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In addition to protecting your credit rating, it is also important to protect the physical credit card itself. Having the card in your possession is not enough, as people can write down the number on the card and use it to make fraudulent purchases. Identity theft has become a problem that costs consumers and companies billions of dollars each year.

Even if fraud, banks and credit card company have never directly affected you will pass down the costs of fraud to consumers. An example of this is the foreign currency transaction fees that you will have to pay when you use your credit card in foreign countries. When you look at it like this, credit card fraud has an effect on virtually everyone. There are a number of things you can do to make sure your card and the numbers on it are protected at all times.

Never provide your credit card number over the phone to someone you didn’t initiate the call with. You should make sure you know whom you are talking to before you give them your credit card number. Even if the person says they are affiliated with a well known company, if you didn’t call them, don’t give them your credit card number until you’re sure. If you mistakenly give them your information, immediately call your credit card company and cancel the card.

You also want to avoid using websites that you’re not familiar with. Since the rise of the internet, fraud has become rampant, and many people have become the victims of identity theft. When you make a purchase at a website, make sure they have security statements. In addition to this, look for a small yellow lock that is closed. It will be located on the bottom right side of the screen. If possible, only carry one credit card at a time. People who carry around multiple cards are likely to lose them. Once you lose your card, the chances of you becoming a victim of fraud dramatically increase.

Always look at your monthly credit card statement to make sure there are no unauthorized charges. If you see something suspicious, immediately call the credit card company. Whenever you close an account, immediately cut up the cards before discarding them. When you get a charge receipt from the store, make sure you shred it prior to throwing it away. Doing these things will help you avoid becoming the victim of fraud.



By: Joseph Kenny

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If you haven’t heard of Norton Security Software, then chances are good your computer is not as secure as it needs to be. Norton is one of the leading manufacturers of software that protects your computer from viruses, spyware, malware, adware, and other annoyances that attempt to access and do damage to your computer system. By installing Norton anti-virus and some of their other products on your computer, you will be protected from almost all threats lurking on the Internet.

The use of security software does not, of course, mean you can afford to be careless with common sense steps of action we all must take. For example, there is no software that can counter a person leaving an important password taped to a computer monitor. But whatever protection is needed on the computer itself, Norton software is up to the task.

Quite simply, Norton has security solutions for your computer that work. Whether you have just one home computer or a multitude you use for business, you can protect your system(s) from some of the worst Internet predators. Norton’s newest anti-virus software is one of the leading protection programs because it not only detects the viruses and spyware, but it eliminates them once detected. Before such malware can even hit your computer, Norton finds locates and blocks it so that your computer is never in any danger. Norton anti-virus software works with your email messages as well, so you never need to be concerned about attachments you receive from strangers or even friends.

If the threat of identity theft keeps you awake at night, you may also want to arm your computer with the Norton Internet Security program. It detects and eliminates spyware as well as encrypts some of your most critical passwords so that no one can hack into your computer and steal your identity. It is a complete system for any computer, and provides the best protection against possible hijack attempts.

If all you need is a firewall, then Norton offers that software as well. Considered to be the most effective of all firewalls, it regulates and monitors all your Internet traffic, both incoming and outgoing. That means any intruders that are meandering their way toward your computer to steal valuable information are rejected. By essentially making your computer anonymous, you will not have to worry about scammers that have found you and stolen your personal information. Also, what is more important is that this software locates and repairs any security breaches you may have on your computer. You simply download updates and necessary patches as Norton makes them available.

If you not only connect through the Internet on a home compute, but via a PDA as well, Norton offers products for that device. It works just like the home computer software option but is installed in your PDA. Norton updates the software when the PDA syncs onto your computer, so that you get all the necessary and current protection available.

With Norton software on your computer, you no longer need to fret that your computer could be hijacked and your data stolen or destroyed. Instead, you can surf the Internet securely knowing you are no longer vulnerable to so many everyday attacks.



By: Darrin Johnson

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1. Sign all your credit cards on the signature strip immediately as you get them.

2. The pin numbers — they are the key to your credit card, if you can’t memorize them, write them on a paper and keep them at a safe place. Don’t write them in every nook and corner of your office, workplace or home. If anyone gets the pin of your credit card things will get serious for you.

3. Don’t carry a wallet full of credit cards with you. The last thing you would like is dropping a credit card from your wallet, simply because it was too unmanageable.

4. It is a good habit to keep the credit cards separately from any identity proof like drivers license in your wallet. The reason is that if someones gets your wallet he shouldn’t get complete clue about your identity.

5. People often leave their credit card unattended, where they become easy prey for fraudsters. It is always advised to keep them safely.

6. During any credit card transaction, don’t let the credit card stay away from your attention. Get it back as soon as the transaction is completed. Keep a check on what the counter clerk is doing with your credit card. The reciepts of any credit card transactions should be kept safely and if they are not useful it is good to destroy them.

7. During online transaction using credit cards make sure that the website is SSL protected and shows the secure transaction signs.



By: cynthiastewart

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Personal computers are widespread and shared computers are a popular means for internet access. These “public” computers exist in libraries, colleges, coffee house cyber cafes, and other places. They are popular because they offer quick, convenient access to the world wide web. Unfortunately, they are also very popular with identity thieves because they present an easy means to access the personal information of others. Just recently, a young twenty- two year old former Drexel University student pleaded guilty to identity theft and she openly admitted stealing more than $116,000 worth of money through various schemes.

Credit cards, banks, and even online sites that are not used to transact business still contain personal data that needs to be protected and this problem is compounded further with shared computers. Are there ways to protect against this type of theft when using a shared computer? Let’s take a look:

Protecting Your Identity:

Shared computers are common in many places, like libraries, schools, hotels, coffee house cyber cafes, etc. Remembering these simple precautions can help keep your personal information your own:

Never select the “Remember My ID” box:

Many web sites offer the option to remember your personal id on that particular computer. This offers added convenience, but this option should never be selected on a shared computer. If an ID is remembered, it will be stored on the shared computer and will likely remain logged into the web site, offering a thief easy access your personal data.

Never Save Passwords:

Similar to the option to “remember my id”, many web sites offer to save your password. This option is usually presented when you logon and it is intended as a convenience measure. With shared computers, however, passwords should never be saved. If an identity thief logs onto a site with a saved password, there is no doubt what will happen next. The thief will already have your password and will logon immediately to seek your personal information.

Don’t Forget to Sign Out Completely:

Signing out is as important as not selecting the options to remember your personal ID and password. You should always remember to sign out of all web sites. If you remain signed in, your account will be openly accessible to identity thieves. It’s like placing your logon id and password on a silver platter and turning over to an identity thief.

Begin the Habit of Changing Passwords Frequently:

Changing passwords is a good idea whether a computer is shared or not, but it is especially important on a shared computer for two important reasons: spyware and malware. If a shared computer becomes infected by spyware or malware, these programs will quickly obtain your password and logon id combination because spyware and malware record every key stroke made on the infected computer. To avoid this problem, change passwords frequently using a non- shared pc.

Erase the Contents of the Browser’s Cache:

Personal computers contain copies of all the web sites visited. This cache needs to be cleared, if possible, after using a shared computer. Some libraries, colleges, and other places do not permit individual access to this area, but it doesn’t hurt to check upon logging off, just to see if it is possible.

Don’t Sign Into a Shared Computer and Walk Away:

This sounds simple enough, but the temptation to logon to a shared computer at a library, school, hotel, or cyber café and walk away for a quick break or other purpose is always present. Giving into this temptation might satisfy a hunger pang or the urge for a drink, but while away from the computer, an identity thief could quickly walk over to the abandoned pc and access whatever personal information is exposed in front of him/her. To be completely safe, get into the habit of logging off immediately before taking a break when you use a shared computer. Even a short break of a few minutes is enough time for a determined thief to obtain personal information.

Avoid Transactions That Involve Secure Financial Data

Shared computers should always be avoided when logging into web sites that contain any type of personal financial data. This includes sites used for banking, purchases, and other sites that contain secured data stored in the site. Web sites like blogs do not usually contain the sensitive information that an identity thief wants and are thus less important. However, a site like a bank, brokerage service, or online store contains extensive amounts of personal information including access to financial data. You don’t ever want to compromise something as important as your money.

Shared computers are popular and they can be found in libraries, schools, hotels, and other places. They offer convenience, and this is the primary reason for their popularity. However, with this added convenience comes the added chance for identity theft. A single shared computer can easily be accessed by hundreds of people each day, making it critical that individuals take the necessary precautions to prevent theft of personal information. Taking some simple steps like the ones listed above can help prevent identity theft before it begins. These steps won’t prevent one- hundred percent of the instances of identity theft, but they will greatly reduce the chances for falling victim to this type of online crime.



By: Lisa Carey

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Due to the rise of identity theft incidents being reported yearly, many organizations are implementing their own identity theft programs to provide citizens education to fight this spiteful crime. Since becoming a victim of identity theft can be a life-changing experience, both emotionally and financially, learning to prevent the occurrence of this crime through identity theft programs can help you and your families live a normal and happy life without someone else meddling with your personal information.

Although the government has been working day and night to fight identity theft, busting these criminals could take several years, or sometimes, they can even live their own lives without being caught. For this reason, different public and private financial institutions with identity theft programs, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s “AvoID Theft: Deter, Detect, Defend”, are educating people to avoid identity theft while giving assistance to those who have victimized.

FTC’s National Identity Theft Program

Since the United States has the highest rate of identity theft compared to other countries, the FTC has been working fulltime to distribute online and print informational materials to ensure all consumers are aware of this crime. With over 20 million copies of the information booklet distributed, the FTC identity theft program is reaching one household at a time to reduce the occurrence of identity theft in the country.

Private organization that help consumers fight identity theft are also using the FTC identity theft program to empower citizens in protecting themselves against the damages caused by this crime. The “Deter, Detect and Defend” Program educates people and links to other organizations in both private and public sectors including law enforcement agencies, consumer groups, federal agencies and other trade associations to give consumers options on where to ask for help.

The FTC identity theft program releases an informational kit for all organizations fighting identity theft that include a how-to booklet with instructions on educating consumers to aid organizations facilitate outreach programs. It also includes a brochure that these organizations can easily reproduce to give out to people who attend seminars and education sessions. To capture the level of damage identity theft can cause a person’s life, a 10-minute video of victims is also included in the program to explain to people how to fight this crime.

Using the FTC identity theft program can help other organizations hold seminars and distribute educational materials about fighting identity theft. Since education is the only key to avoiding this crime, consumers can now be aware on how to identify these problems and take immediate actions if ever they become a victim of identity theft.



By: Ann Marier

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Despite the simple functionality on many levels of a domain name, it is vital to the success of an online business enterprise. At its heart, a domain name essentially is an address that tells a user of the Internet how to find a particular website. In many instances, the owners of trade or service marks use their marks as part of their business domain names. Nonetheless, there are many instances in which someone else may take advantage and start using the trade or service mark as part of another domain name. With this well in mind, it is incumbent upon trade and service mark owners to monitor to make certain that others are not misusing their intellectual property in the registration of other domain names.

No matter how the domain name usage actually is discovered, trade or service mark owners have two basic options for resolving disputes over domain names. First, a person or company can take action under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Policy. The benefits of this process is that it is relatively fast and relative inexpensive. There are drawbacks that include the fact that this process is not available to all domain names, it is not appropriate for license disputes and damages and attorney fees cannot be recovered through this process.

The other alternative available to a person or company who believes it has been wronged or violated in terms of a domain name related issue is the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (”ACPA”). The ACPA was enacted in 1999 and was designed to prevent cybersquatting on the Internet.

Cybersquatting generally is considered the use of domain names that are confusingly similar to trademarks and service marks owned by other business enterprises or individuals.

The ACPA can impose liability on the registrant of such a domain name (or its licensee) if that person or entity has done the following:

(i) has a bad faith intent to profit from the mark; and,

(ii) registers, traffics in, or uses a domain name that is identical or confusingly similar to the mark and the mark (or dilutive if the mark is famous) was distinctive (or famous) at the time of the domain name registration.

The ACPA does establish a set of nine nonexclusive factors that a court may utilize in working to determining whether a person or entity has acted in bad faith, has a bad intent, in regard to a domain name registration. The ACPA states that “Bad faith intent . . . shall not be found in any case in which the court determines that the person believed and had reasonable grounds to believe that the use of the domain name was a fair use or otherwise lawful.”

For example, the actual trade or service mark owner must demonstrate that the challenged domain name is confusingly similar to its own trade or service mark. Only the challenged domain name and the trade or service mark will be compared under the ACPA. According to the ACPA, the proper inquiry is whether the defendant’s domain name is so similar to the plaintiff’s trade or service mark that the two could be confused by a third party.

If the mark owner is successful in the action, the court may order the forfeiture, cancellation or transfer of the domain name. Moreover, the mark owner may recover the defendant’s profits, any damages sustained by the owner of the trademark and its costs of the action.

Pursuant to the statute, the owner of the mark may elect to recover statutory damages, in lieu of actual damages and profits. The court can award statutory damages in an amount between $1,000 and $100,000 per domain name.

Claims that are made under the ACPA and UDRP are two options available to trade and service mark owners who are trying to protect their mark from being used by others in bad faith.



By: Robert Masud

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The rule covers practically any consumer records. Examples include credit reports, court records, employment histories and rental histories to mention only a few.

Identity Theft

Heading complaints from constituents, Congress has been trying to figure out how to deal with growing identity theft problems. In response, the FTC rule requires all personal information to be:

1. Burned(!),

2. Pulverized,

3. Shredded, or

4. Destroyed.

Whether you shred the records or stand in the parking lot with a flamethrower, the rule requires the documents to be destroyed to the extent they cannot be read. Importantly, the rule also applies to electronic files.

As an agency rule, the new regulation does not result in any criminal penalties. Instead, the FTC penalty provisions call for a fine of up to $2,500 per violation. Individuals that have information misused can also seek damages in civil lawsuits.

Effective?

The FTC should be applauded for taking any step to help in the fight against identity theft. The flood of recent public disclosures by companies admitting to lost records is appalling. But does this new rule really help?

No.

The new regulation provides no provisions on how long the records can be held before being destroyed. This effectively neuters the regulation. Any claim of violation is going to be refuted by the defense of, “We destroy records every xxx months.” Even if you disagree with this assessment, consider the destruction of electronic files.

Electronic files are automatically backed up on hard drives. Merely deleting a file does not erase it from a hard drive. To comply with the regulations, are companies supposed to wipe all their hard drives every day or is deleting the records enough? Wiping the drives is incredibly burdensome while deleting files is useless. As you might imagine, the FTC provides no guidance on the issue.

Cutting to the chase, the FTC has issued this rule for one reason – to satisfy Congress. It has little practical impact in protecting your private information and leaves companies with another vague regulatory requirement.



By: SD Lawyer

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