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What is the difference between http and https?
Don't know how many of you are aware of this difference, but it is worth sending to any who do not. The main difference between http:// and https:// is it's all about keeping you secure. HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol.

The S (big surprise) stands for "Secure." If you visit a website or web page, and look at the address in the web browser, it will likely begin with the following: http://. This means that the website is talking to your browser using the regular "unsecured" language. In other words, it is possible for someone to "eavesdrop" on your computer's conversation with the website. If you fill out a form on the website, someone might see the information you send to that site. This is why you never ever enter your credit card number in an http website! But if the web address begins with https://, that basically means your computer is talking to the website in a secure code that no one can eavesdrop on.

If a website ever asks you to enter your credit card  information, you should automatically look to see if the  web address begins with https://. If it doesn't, you should NEVER enter sensitive information such as a credit card number, SS #, etc.

New Cybercrime Trends Developing

While cybercriminals focus on making a fast buck with email, texting, and phone frauds designed to capture consumers' account numbers, other cybercrime trends are worth noting. Several new ones are featured in the Internet Crime Complaint Center's (IC3) August 2012 scam alert. They include:

  • Fake political survey. A multi-choice "political survey" is taking advantage of consumers during the election year, according to IC3, which is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center. The scam involves telephone calls to consumers. After answering the survey, they’re told they’ve won a free cruise to the Bahamas. The caller, after providing a website address to "prove legitimacy," requests the "winner's" email address for notification purposes and credit card information to cover port fees. The website has limited information, with photos, testimonials, and "Caribbean Line" banner.
  • Online phonebook. IC3 received several complaints about a phonebook website, where anyone could post other individuals' information. Some were verbally bullied—seeing uncensored comments and false accusations posted about them. Personal information available on the site included full name, unlisted cell phone numbers, email addresses, direct links to private Facebook accounts, photos, and more. The website allowed users to anonymously call anyone on the site directly from the Web, as well as to track them with a global positioning system.
  • Free credit service website. A website claiming to offer free credit services such as credit scores and credit monitoring generated more than 2,000 complaints to IC3. Customers reported being charged a monthly service fee. The agreement terms advise that the "free" report lasts only for a limited time. At the end of the term, the website, using financial information the customer provided, charged a monthly membership service fee ranging from $19.95 to $29.95. The Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) has given the website an F rating because 1,037 complaints were filed against the business, eight were not resolved, 17 were deemed serious, and advertising issues were involved, according to IC3.

How to Be More Clever Than an Identity Thief

U.S. Department of Justice data show that identity theft is the fastest-growing crime in America, and studies show that the 18- to 29-year-old age bracket accounts for 30% of all identity-theft complaints.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information, like your name, Social Security number (SSN), or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes and to get credit in your name.
Identity thieves are clever and can obtain a victim's personal information in many ways:

  • Dumpster Diving—Going through trash to find bills and papers with personal information on it;
  • Phishing—Posing as financial institutions or companies like eBay or PayPal and sending spam or pop-up messages to get consumers to reveal personal information;
  • Property theft—Stealing wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; preapproved credit offers; and new checks or tax information;
  • Smishing—Phishing with text messaging on smart phones. Victims are instructed to visit a fake Web site.
  • Spyware—Tricking victims into downloading illicit software when they open an attachment. Spyware records keystrokes to get credit card numbers and passwords.

No one can totally eliminate the risk of identity theft. Think of your SSN, financial account numbers, and passwords as the Holy Grail—sacred and powerful. You can reduce your chances of becoming a victim:

  • Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet unless you need it that day.
  • Avoid using public computers to access financial accounts, and use intricate passwords.
  • Limit personal information online.
  • Shred any paperwork that contains nonpublic information.
  • If you access financial accounts or shop online, make sure the Web site is secure. Secure sites have an "s" after the http—https://.
  • Check your credit report regularly at annualcreditreport.com and monitor your transactions. Reconcile your accounts regularly.
  • Keep an inventory of everything in your wallet and your PDA.

For more identity theft prevention tips, call or stop in to Hopewell Federal Credit Union today. And if you ever become a victim of identity theft, remember that we're here to help.

Victim of ID Theft? Make 4 Phone Calls ... Fast

Call ...
(1) Credit bureau fraud unit (call one):
TransUnion; 800-680-7289
Equifax; 888-766-0008
Experian; 888-397-3742

(2) Creditors
Close affected accounts.
Fill out and mail the ID theft affidavit (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf).

(3) Local law enforcement
File a police report and get copies. Start where ID theft took place.

(4) FTC hotline
877-IDTheft (877-438-4338).

For more information, visit http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft