How to Stop Account Hijacking
Two million Americans lost $2.4 billion, or an average of $1,200 each, to account hijacking crimes in 2004, according to Gartner, Inc., a research firm. Victims of account hijacking not only lose the stolen money, but also must deal with the frustration of cleaning up their credit and monitoring their future credit activity to make sure the fraudsters do not strike again. Learn some security techniques to stop account hijackers from raiding your accounts.
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Instructions
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Give fake answers to your security questions. Intrepid fraudsters use Internet searches to dig up your mother's maiden name, the street where you grew up and other facts that lie buried in public records. They can use this information to guess your first school and your high school mascot. You do not have to use the real-life answers when you establish your security questions. When a bank asks your mother's maiden name, tell them your grandmother's maiden name. Substitute the word "first" in the questions for the word "last," and "favorite" for "least favorite." Once you have a system, you will easily remember the answers but confound hijackers.
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Install internet security programs on your computer. Firewalls and virus and malware scanners help protect you from hackers who use your own computer against you. Hackers use Trojan horse programs and keystroke loggers to track each word you type on your computer's keyboard, which exposes your passwords and security answers. Keep your firewall and virus software updated and run virus updates and system scans as recommended by the software provider to minimize your exposure to fraudsters who hijack your accounts through your computer.
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Avoid questionable websites. Look for the letters "https" at the beginning of web addresses in your browser before you give websites your credit card information. This means that your credit card information is encrypted as it transmits to the website. Do not give personal information or credit card information to websites you do not know and trust.
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Ignore e-mails from people and businesses you do not know. These e-mails could contain a virus that downloads to your computer. If your bank or credit card company e-mails you and asks you to verify personal information, call the bank before you click the link. "Phishers" use fake e-mails and websites to trick you into turning over your information by pretending to be your bank. Use a phone number you already have for the bank or look up the number in the phone book rather than trust a phone number provided in an e-mail.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact your bank or financial institution immediately if you suspect your account is compromised.
Never write down your passwords or the answers to your security questions.
References
Resources
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