GRAVETTE — As consumers become more comfortable with the Internet to conduct business, thieves are adapting, using Web- and computer-based methods to steal financial information, according to Robbie McKinnon, Pike County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Here are terms describing electronic consumer scamming:
Phishing - Pronounced “fishing”, this form of scamming involves official-looking e-mails sent to consumers or computer screen pop-ups requesting that the consumer confirm or update account information.The e-mail can also include a toll-free number to lure consumers to call to verify that the fake e-mail is real. The Federal Trade Commission recommends forwarding spam that is phishing for information to [email protected] and to the company, bank or organization impersonated in the phishing e-mail. Most organizations have information on their Web sites about where to report problems.
Vishing - Vishing is a technique in which thescammer uses voice over IP telephone service to entice a consumer to call an 800 number that requests the consumer-s credit card number or other account information to be validated.
Spyware - A program that allows the installer to track actions performed on the computer, such as recording what is on the computer screen at any time for playback.
Keystroke loggers - Spyware that allows the installer to track what keys are being hit to input information into a computer. The spyware allows for discovery of passwords, Social Security numbers and other key ID or account information.
Despite the sophistication of the electronic theft methods, the Federal Trade Commission, in a 2007 report, said the most prevalent method of fraudulently obtaining a Social Security number was through home intrusion by friends, family members or in-home employees.
-Column provided by University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Extension Service
News, Pages 7 on 03/03/2010