From Margie Tann iSekurity
Source: Verizon
And as they do with PCs, scammers use malware that you might inadvertently download onto your cell (sometimes by visiting infected websites, other times via downloads of ringtones) to harvest and transmit your personal information, thereby paving the way for forms of Identity Theft.
7 Tips for Protecting Yourself From Cell Phone Scams and Identity Theft:
1. Install anti-virus software. Most of the big Internet security players have mobile versions of their software and most of them offer free trials.
2. Scrutinize your bill every month. In particular, look out for small payments, which the cell phone scam artist tries to sneak past you.
3. Keep your cell phone number confidential when it is linked to your name, sharing it only with friends and relatives. Even think twice before putting it on a business card.
4. Don't use it for competition entries or other apparently "free" services. But, if you must do this, make sure you read every line of the fine print.
5. Consider using "disposable" or prepaid cell phones, which limit your exposure to running up bills.
6. Don't take a cell phone number as proof of someone's identity or, indeed, their honesty. If you can't separately confirm the identity of someone who gives their cell number, don't buy from or sell to them.
7. Be vigilant when you see others using cell phones to take photos. If their behavior seems odd or unacceptable, try to memorize a description of them and contact the police.
Of course, take all possible steps to prevent your phone from being stolen from your purse, your pocket, your desk, or wherever -- because that's the quickest route to hefty phone bills (for which you may be responsible) or cell phone Identity Theft.
And if you're an iPhone user, consider signing up for Apple's MobileMe service, which includes the ability to immediately and remotely erase all the data from your iPhone in the event that it does get stolen.
If you order a new cell phone to be delivered by snail mail or delivery, insist on - and be prepared to pay for - a signature with the carrier on delivery. That way, it won't be left at your front doorstep while you're out.
And as they do with PCs, scammers use malware that you might inadvertently download onto your cell (sometimes by visiting infected websites, other times via downloads of ringtones) to harvest and transmit your personal information, thereby paving the way for forms of Identity Theft.
7 Tips for Protecting Yourself From Cell Phone Scams and Identity Theft:
1. Install anti-virus software. Most of the big Internet security players have mobile versions of their software and most of them offer free trials.
2. Scrutinize your bill every month. In particular, look out for small payments, which the cell phone scam artist tries to sneak past you.
3. Keep your cell phone number confidential when it is linked to your name, sharing it only with friends and relatives. Even think twice before putting it on a business card.
4. Don't use it for competition entries or other apparently "free" services. But, if you must do this, make sure you read every line of the fine print.
5. Consider using "disposable" or prepaid cell phones, which limit your exposure to running up bills.
6. Don't take a cell phone number as proof of someone's identity or, indeed, their honesty. If you can't separately confirm the identity of someone who gives their cell number, don't buy from or sell to them.
7. Be vigilant when you see others using cell phones to take photos. If their behavior seems odd or unacceptable, try to memorize a description of them and contact the police.
Of course, take all possible steps to prevent your phone from being stolen from your purse, your pocket, your desk, or wherever -- because that's the quickest route to hefty phone bills (for which you may be responsible) or cell phone Identity Theft.
And if you're an iPhone user, consider signing up for Apple's MobileMe service, which includes the ability to immediately and remotely erase all the data from your iPhone in the event that it does get stolen.
If you order a new cell phone to be delivered by snail mail or delivery, insist on - and be prepared to pay for - a signature with the carrier on delivery. That way, it won't be left at your front doorstep while you're out.
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