Showing posts with label investigators. Show all posts
Showing posts with label investigators. Show all posts
July 18, 2013
Investigators Offer 10 Tips to Stay Safe on Facebook












Facebook is the largest social network on the internet. It claims to have over 750 million users around the word and for the past six years has served as the platform to stay connected with friends and family, users say. But it is also a big showcase for romance scams and internet criminals who target victims on the social network.  Many internet criminals are finding that social networks like Facebook are more profitable than hunting for victims on online dating sites such as Match.com and eHarmony.  Their goal is to obtain as much information about you as possible, steal your identity and your money, and even use your photos and data for blackmail.

International investigators offer these tips to stay safe on Facebook and social media. 

1. Protect Your Privacy.
People do not need to know where you live, where you work or where you studied.  They definitely don't need to know your address or date of birth.  Criminals LOVE when you share a lot of information on the internet, because you become an easy target! 

2. Know the Risk.
Even the CIA and U.S. government has a hard time protecting their data. Think what you share on Facebook is private?  Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.  Don't take that chance.  Assume that what you share on Facebook is public information, and protect yourself.   

3. Use Photos Wisely.
Most internet criminals steal photos and profiles of real people, making their victims believe they are real.  If your name, photos and address or employer or school is published on the internet, scammers can easily use your profile on another website or through email on the internet.  That's right, your identity could be used to scam other victims.  Keeping your photos private is the most effective way at preventing a stolen profile. 

4. Keep it Private.
Check your account and private settings on Facebook and review them carefully.  Make sure your information is shared with those you trust and know.  Share less, and remove "friends" that you don't know well.  If you have 1,000 friends, chances are you have some crooks already on your friends list!  Limit your exposure and protect your privacy. 

5. Screen Friend Requests.
Be careful about accepting friend requests of people you don’t know. Know the risk, and take a closer look at why the person wants to be your friend, and how he or she found you. The best way to get new friends is through your existing friends and family. 

6. Keep it Clean. 
Keep your content clean, monitor your Facebook and all content related to you.  If there’s a photo or a tag you don’t want to be online, ask your friends and family to remove it. Once a photo or information is in the wrong hands, it is too late to remove. 

7. Get a Background Check.
If you've met someone new on Facebook or a social networking site and want to meet the individual in person, or are considering a relationship with your internet contact, be safe and don't be a victim.  Consider a background check by a reputable investigator. 

8. Close Your Session.
Close your session and log out when you're done checking your Facebook.   Facebook and other third parties love to track your internet activity and sell your information.  Fight back and protect your privacy.   Clear your cookies, check your browser settings, and consider add-ons such as Do Not Track Plus, to keep your internet browsing private. 

9. Watch for Spam.
Facebook is a popular place for spreading viruses by links sent from someone just added to your friends.  These links can hack your account, steal your data or even install a virus on your computer to steal your identity and all your banking passwords. 

10. Manage your Reputation.
What is shared online today, might not be something you want online tomorrow.  Selling and distributing your data is big business, and Facebook earns millions of dollars by collecting and selling information you share with them.  Manage your reputation, and make sure what goes online today, won't hurt your chances for a job or relationship tomorrow.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2013 S. Birch

Read more
February 18, 2013
Romania Romance Scams Booming, Say Investigators












Romance scams have become a global phenomenon that began in Nigeria but have since spread worldwide, with criminals based in nearly every developed country as well as the developing world.  
If you’re meeting people online, whether it’s an online dating site like Match.com or a social network like Facebook, you’re at risk.  Private investigators and privacy experts say no site is 100% immune from fraud, so it’s up to internet users to stay skeptical.  International investigators say Romania scams are one of the fastest growing countries internet fraud and romance scams. 

As the economy and employment situation remains grim in Europe, internet users are at an increased risk from one industry that is booming – romance scams and dating fraud.  Criminals based in Romania are more active than ever.  Online scammers target internet users on match making sites, online dating sites, and major social networks.  Their goal is to slowly gain your trust,  and law enforcement agencies are receiving more complaints than ever before.  Law enforcement agencies often have jurisdictional problems, and are overwhelmed with requests, so the bottom line is that many scam victims have limited options.  Once the damage is done, it is often too late. Investigators emphasize the important of dating background checks early.

Most of the scams coming from the Baltic Region and Eastern Europe have the same modus operandi, and Romania is no exception.  Someone, usually a woman sends you an unrequested email (spam) to your personal account and says she’s seen your photo or profile on Facebook.  Or, it may be even someone you’ve contacted on cams or adult chatting website.  Scammers also work to scam victims on major social networking site or online dating site.  One way or another, the criminals will contact you or quickly respond to you online, pursuing a serious relationship.  They hope to gain your trust and personal data, and then, of course, your money.

Scammers gain your trust and your feelings. If you think you’re too smart or careful to be a victim, don’t be too sure.  Many experienced scammers in Romania may not even ask you for your money or personal data. Some instead may choose to send you an attachment or file to install a virus on your computer, then accessing your passwords and personal data to steal your identity.

Investigators advise that whenever you begin an internet relationship, or are communicating with someone online you don’t know, you cannot rely on what you read over the internet, and cannot just Google the contact information to find out the truth.  Verifying a person abroad requires a skilled investigator in the country or city where you need them, who is properly trained and has the resources to verify a person, and all their information.  It is the only way to be safe.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2013 S. Birch

Read more
January 23, 2013
Investigators Share Tips to Avoid Identity Theft & Protect Your Privacy

Think Your Internet Usage is Private? Think Again. 















Big brother is watching. You are not alone. You are being monitored. Your internet usage, in the privacy of your own home, is not your own personal business as you may believe. Companies, websites, hackers, criminals and even governments are watching your every step.

Privacy advocates and law enforcement agencies have expressed serious concern over the rapid loss of privacy on the internet. Data mining and your own personal data, interests, public records and internet usage is big business, and companies like Google and Facebook are making millions and millions of dollars by collecting, distributing and/or selling your private information. The goal is to know more about you, to sell the data to marketers and in some cases, provide the private information to government agencies without your consent, and without a court order. The loss of privacy is happening at an alarming rate.

Facebook recently went public on the very idea that their huge user database and information on their millions of subscribers is worth a lot of money. That's right, thanks to all your sharing, Facebook stands to make a fortune! And that is just one of example among thousands. Reputable international private investigators say to think twice about what you share on the internet. They say no site is 100% immune from fraud and scams, and what you share online with your contacts, may eventually be seen, sold or published without your knowledge.

Your Internet Profile Can Put You at Risk.
















Law enforcement officials and private investigators are seeing more cases involving crimes that originate online. And we're not talking about just identity theft, and other online scam cases. Police departments across the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia agree that many criminals first research their victims online, using sites like Google Maps to see where you live, see what your house looks like, and even what kind of car you drive. They may use sites like 123People.com, Whitepages.com, Intelius, MyLife.com or countless others to gather your personal data such as your date of birth, address, neighborhood information, names of your siblings, children, spouse, etc. These sites profit from gathering and selling your public records and private data without your consent or knowledge.

Criminals take full advantage of the information they find about you on the internet.

There have been incidents of rapes and homicides involving individuals who met on sites like Facebook, Match.com or eHarmony, and later met in person a sex offender or criminal. They failed to have a background check investigation conducted on their online partner, and later suffered the consequences. In other cases, victims have travelled abroad to meet their online romance, later to be abducted and held for ransom in places as far away as West Africa and the Philippines. Of course, these are extreme examples but they are very real. The bottom line is the internet is a tool increasingly used by everyone, including criminals.

 

How to Stay Safe, Protect Your Privacy 

 

Websites and companies want to track your every move. Not to mention ISP (Internet Service Providers) government agencies and who knows what other agencies and entities are watching. They install and track the cookies on your computer, record your IP address, and essentially have your number or online fingerprint. From that point on, you are recognized whether you like it or not, and your at internet surfing is not as private as you think. 

Experts say you can stay safe by using programs to conceal and protect your identity, and also new websites that are actually designed to protect your privacy, like HotSpot Shield and Tor keep your surfing activity anonymous, so companies and other websites can't track your location, identity or IP address. You can also check your browser settings in Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or Safari to disable cookies, usually found under the Options settings. These steps not only protect your privacy, but keep you safe online and offline. The less criminals can find out about you on the internet, the safer you and your family are, say investigators. Keep your online sharing to a minimum.

The more criminals can find about you online, the more at risk you are for identity theft, phishing scams, hacking, and real world crimes such as robbery, assault, harassment, etc.

Install a good anti-virus program such as AVG or Norton to keep threats at a minimum, and scan your computer for potentially harmful programs installed without your knowledge. Sites like Reputation.com also help consumers keep their online footprint small, and help you remove unwanted information from public view, and take down data from third party websites.

Lastly, reputable private investigators say keep sharing to a minimum, and NEVER publish your date of birth or address or other private data on the internet, no matter what the site. Doing so is asking for trouble. Remember that what you share online may end up in the wrong hands, or be sold down the river, without your knowledge or legal consent.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2013 S. Birch




Read more
October 18, 2012
Military Scams Getting Out of Control, Say Investigators















Romance scams are a thing of the past right?  Surely everyone knows about these by now and no one intelligent could ever be a victim, right? Wrong.  The games and rules have changed.  More people are connecting online than ever before, and not everyone is an experienced internet users.  Senior citizens and new internet users are often the targets, although even the most seasoned and experienced and skeptical internet user can be a victim of military scams online.

Military personnel are generally people we can trust.  They fight for our country and they stand for freedom.  They put their lives in harm’s way for their country.  They are trusted individuals who are moral and honest.  Criminals understand this widely held perception, and they are cashing in on it.  If you ever meet someone from the military on an online dating site or social networking site, extra caution is advised due to the growing fraud risk.  Be safe and skeptical online.

International investigators have seen an alarming rising rate of scammers impersonating as members of the U.S. military claiming to be in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere.  In many cases, a real identity of a real solider will be used, making it very difficult for average citizens to verify.  Often determine what is real and what is a fraud requires the skills and training of a reputable private investigator.  Criminals and online scammer can be so convincing in their dating scams that investigators report even lawyers and members of law enforcement being victims.

Con artists use photographs and profiles of members in the military to convince their victims easily. Public records are often used to gather real identities, so when the victim tries to verify the person’s story, everything appears to check out.  Once trust is established, complications soon follow, and the goal of the criminal will be to either steal your identity or money or both.

According to a report provided by the U.S. Criminal Investigation Command (CIC) warning citizens about military scams, dating scams have cost U.S. citizens over $2 billion USD in 2011.  Military members whose identities have been stolen, report no other harm to themselves other than having their background and photos used to perpetrate these internet crimes to citizens around the world.  The primary victims are women in developed nations, although anyone can be a victim.

The CIC, FBI and professional background international investigators advise extreme caution when being approached by people you don’t know over the internet. In most cases there are red flags and it’s important to listen to your instinct.  In other cases, it will be necessary to contact a reputable investigation company to conduct a dating background check to be safe.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2012 S. Birch
Read more
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)