Showing posts with label facebook scams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label facebook scams. Show all posts
October 22, 2013
Private Investigators Warn on Lack of Online Privacy
















Online privacy has probably been a myth since the start of the internet.  Maybe one of the things we have to understand is that from the moment we decide to share information online, we´re accepting its public. We agree that it can be shared and seen by anyone. Just think about who has control of what you publish online. It has never been the user. Even the U.S. government can't seem to keep their highly classified information private.  And the more you share online (or in public), the greater at risk you are for scams, fraud and identity theft.  This is the reason why professional private investigators are warning people and trying to educate the public on the risks of declining privacy, and your risk from sharing.

Social networks and other websites have privacy policies, and terms and conditions that claim they are safe and reliable, and that they respect and protect your information, etc.  But, websites are hacked, policies change, information is stolen or copied, and in one way or another, anything you share online can end up in the hands of criminals.  Think Google Maps and Street View is neat?  So do criminals.  Many robbery, assault, rape and even homicide cases now reveal that criminals often uses the internet in preliminary research to learn where you live, where you work, and how to get there.

If you publish or share your private information on the internet, such as your date of birth, address, place of employment, vacation schedule, and more, you are a the perfect victim, and it's only a matter of time before a criminal will take advantage of all those pictures and information you're sharing on Facebook, Match.com or Twitter.  What starts online can cause real world problems, and sharing too much information and the lack of privacy leads to serious crimes such as identity theft, romance scam, dating fraud, and much more serious in person, physical crimes.  Many thought they were safe on Facebook, until recently the recent Facebook changes to decrease privacy for its millions of users.

The bottom line is that most websites want you to share, because your information is valuable.  That's right.  The more a website knows about you, the more they can sell your data to advertisers.

When it comes to hackers, or the National Security Agency, or who knows what other international agency, the truth is there are no secrets.  If you share something online, assume you are sharing it with the world, and it's important you know the risk.  If you want to be safe, remember the less about you online, the safer you are.  Search for Google for your name to see what is out there about you for your worst enemy to see.  If you're alarmed by how much you can find, it's time to fight back!

There are a lot of tips and best practices available on the Stay Safe Online website.   Privacy experts say when you're doing business with website on the internet, look for trust seals, such as McAfee, the Better Business Bureau, Truste and Verisign.  It's no guarantee that your information will be safe, but it's a good sign the website is taking steps to show that they are serious about protecting your privacy.
Services like Facebook´s GPS feature let us share with our friends the places where we go. So we check in when we arrive at work, check in when we pick up our kids at school, check in when we get home. Anyone with a basic computer knowledge can find out what we do, if we´re home or not, the places we frequent and the kind of lives we live.  Think about your own safety, the safety of your family, and lower your risk for dating scams, identity theft, robbery and many other types of serious crime.


S. Birch
© 2013 S. Birch

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February 11, 2011
Gay Online Dating Scams - How to Avoid Them

  • 2/11/2011
  • 1
Scammers Increasingly Target Gay Dating Sites













Online dating websites are booming, and gay internet dating websites are also growing rapidly. Mainstream match-making sites like eHarmony and Match.com offer gay online dating, and other sites are entirely devoted to helping gays and lesbians find their perfect match. Many gays are also finding their partner or friend on social networking sites like Facebook. The bottom line is that many homosexuals are now pairing up online, and scammers have taken notice. Criminals have been targeting online dating website members for some time, and have recently expanded their target to include gay and lesbian dating sites and members.

International private investigators and law enforcement agencies such as the FBI report that complaints and reports of internet dating scams are on the rise, and have become a serious problem. These scams are a real risk for online dating members and users of social networking sites. With millions of users worldwide, criminals are now using these platforms as their hunting ground, posing to be Mr. or Ms. Perfect on gay and lesbian sites. Match.com's response to a recent NBC News story was that the website tries to educate its members, but screening all the members for fraud is currently not possible. In the dating scam video, the victim contacts Wymoo® International and has the individiual verified, only to learn that the person was a fraud, and that everything he had said was a lie. Experts emphasize getting a background check early in order to minimize the risk.

Law enforcement officials warn that scams and advance fee fraud are becoming increasingly complex. Criminals are now using convincing methods, and slowly building trust with their victims. One they gain your trust, they go for your money or personal data. If they can gather enough information, criminals can often steal your identity. Online dating members often unknowingly reveal all the information crooks need, such as your address, date of birth, full name, etc. Private investigators advise never to reveal your personal data to anyone over the internet. If you feel the relationship has potential, consult a professional private investigator to have the person verified. If he or she lives or works in a foreign country, there is an increased risk, so be sure to contact a professional international background check firm for assistance. The sooner the individual is verified, the better.

1) Be skeptical of anyone who falls in love over night.
2) Requests for financial assistance is a red flag.
3) Be skeptical of model like photos and "too good to be true."
4) Never share your DOB, address or credit card data.
5) If there is real potential , get a background check.

The trend in online dating and dating scams is expected to continue, and with the increased risk, the demand for dating background checks should also remain high. A true background check should verify if the person is who he or she claims to be, and is much more than checking criminal records. The discreet service usually includes verifying education and employment, address verification, ID or passport verification, travel records, civil and public records, fraud screening, etc. Consult a professional background check firm to verify, and play it safe.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2011 S. Birch



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February 3, 2011
Facebook Scams - How to Avoid Them

Scams on Facebook a Growing Threat , Experts Warn









There are over 600 Million users on Facebook worldwide. It's true, Facebook helps connect people around the world, and makes it easy to update your friends on just about everything. From completely meaningless information to important events, users are now publishing their private information online via Facebook, and in many cases, for the whole world to see. It's clear that many users aren't aware of the associated risk, and many people are quickly learning the hard way. Experts advise caution.

For users of Facebook connecting with other people online, especially in cases where the individual is not known personally, it can be extremely difficult to know for certain who you are dealing with. Sharing your private information with your close friends online (and worse, people you don't know) can be a fast way to become a victim of scam or fraud. In most cases, an professional international background check is the only way to truly verify a person who resides in a foreign country. Real international background checks usually include education and employment verification, ID and passport verification, document verification, public and civil records, address check, marriage records, fraud screening, and travel profile. Criminals are becoming experts at appearing to be a harmless and perfect friend, or online romance. The true objective is to steal your money or identity.

Experts warn that publishing your private information on Facebook is a very bad idea. Check your privacy settings and be certain that you have no personal information visible, such as date of birth, address, phone number, etc. Avoid publishing information on Facebook informing others when you are going out for the night, where you are going, or when you are going on vacation. Criminals use this information to their advantage, and this is often an invitation for someone to rob your home while you're out. In some cases, victims have been attacked, raped and even murdered after publishing their daily activities on Facebook. Showing your birth date and full name to the world is a great way to get your identity stolen, especially if the criminal is able to also get your address. Guard your personal information and post wisely. Check your privacy settings to be sure that no one you don't know can access or view personal information.

If you've met someone via Facebook and the relationship is progressing, be skeptical and cautious about giving personal details about yourself. You can get to know someone very well without sharing your personal data, address and date of birth, etc. If the individual resides, works or is traveling in a foreign country, contact an international private investigator and have the person verified. With online dating scams, internet fraud, identity theft and Facebook scams on the rise, it's best to be safe.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2011 S. Birch
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