How Online Thieves are Skimming Your Info

How Online Thieves are "Skimming" Your Info

(FinancialHealth) – Online thieves are some of the most dangerous, as they can get into your smartphone or computer and access all of the personal identifying information you have saved there. The more information they can find, the more opportunity they have to use it to their advantage. There are multiple ways online thieves are skimming your info that you need to be aware of so you can do your best to prevent it.

Social Engineering

Using small amounts of someone’s information to get them to disclose further information is known as social engineering. People do this online through social media sites or email. They may have your full name or address and tell you that a certain account has been targeted. Because they have some of your correct information, you believe they are legitimate and give the additional details they are trying to obtain.

Fake Website

A fake website is an easy way for scammers to get your details. A commerce site is particularly useful to them, as you enter credit card information in hopes of purchasing something you like from their online store. Rather than getting the items you ordered, you get your credit card number stolen and used for extravagant purchases in your name.

Rerouting the URL

Hackers can reroute your URL to one of their choosing. Say you search for a financial site and choose the first option. The URL shows as the financial website’s name, but changes for a split second to something like attacker.com. This site now mimics the actual website and acts as a “middleman” between you and the hacker. Because the site mirrors the real website so well, you would hardly be able to notice it’s a fake. Whether you log in to the site or enter personal information, the thief sees all of it.

With so many skimming schemes out there, you need to do your best to protect your identity and personal information. Check website authenticity and do not disclose information to anyone, whether they seem legitimate or not. A real company would most likely contact you via a letter in the mail or telephone call, never through social media. If something seems fishy, it probably is. Contact the company they claim to be and find out for yourself which instances are genuine. If you are unsure, you can look up the company name and contact info to compare it to what you are being offered on the fake site.

~Here’s to Your Financial Health!

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