Identity Theft Prevention Tips from a Convicted Felon

September 26, 2011

I’d never really thought about living in an unethical country before, until I heard Frank Abagnale speak.  Frank is the subject of the film “Catch Me if You Can,” who went from being the FBI’s most wanted forger, stealing millions of dollars and flying all over the world posing as a Pan Am Pilot, to a well respected 35 year veteran FBI agent, and expert on forgery, embezzlement and secure documents.  He declared, “We live in an unethical country” during the keynote address at the Financial Planning Association’s annual conference in San Diego last week. Continue reading “Identity Theft Prevention Tips from a Convicted Felon”

Educating Employees on Avoiding Identity Theft and Other Fraud

May 10, 2011

An email in my business inbox this morning promises that I have been randomly selected to win 350,000 euros and all I have to do is provide my full name, age, and address.  As tempting as it is, I delete the message, but how many other employees might be tricked into responding?  These phishing emails are becoming more common, and much more sophisticated.  It used to be an Arabian Prince who was banished from his kingdom needed your help to recover his millions, and in return he would share some of his wealth if you just let him use your bank account to channel his money.  Continue reading “Educating Employees on Avoiding Identity Theft and Other Fraud”

4 Steps to Take if You are the Victim of Identity Theft

November 24, 2010

“Hello, Mr. Ward?  This is your credit card company.  We just wanted to know if you have purchased gas in Terra Haute, Indiana, recently.”

Does this sound familiar?  Every year thousands of debit and credit card numbers are stolen and sold over the internet.  Sometimes your card issuer is able to catch the unauthorized use early, as was the case in my particular instance.  Other times you start receiving strange things in the mail.  One recent caller began receiving merchandise he never ordered.  There are a few steps you should take when you suspect that your card number has been compromised: Continue reading “4 Steps to Take if You are the Victim of Identity Theft”