Someone’s Watching Me

Do you remember the Rockwell and Michael Jackson song from the 1980’s? For some strange reason, we’ve heard the song a handful of times within the last week. Ironically, one member of our team has also been dealing with credit card information being stolen, likely by a digital pickpocket.

Cyber crime is a criminal act done to commit fraud by stealing personal information, resources, or money by using technology. Did you know that smart phones can be used to steal information from you?  Any time you see someone with their phone out near you, the potential is there that they are trying to hack into either your cell phone or scan the credit cards in your wallet. Unfortunately, there is no way to be able to figure out who is a criminal versus someone who is merely looking at a text. Here’s what you can you do to protect yourself:

* Make sure you have reliable spyware installed on both your computer and cellular telephone;
* Choose strong passwords, change them often, and make them all different;
* Be cautious when using public Wifi or your own hotspot;
* Close your browsers and turn them off when you aren’t using them;
* Use a RFID protected wallet;
* Do not give out bank account or wiring information unless you confirm who is requesting it and the end destination;
* Review credit card and bank statements on a regular basis;
* If in doubt, block the person requesting to connect on social media or double check to see if you are already connected on that platform; and
* Be very cautious if someone makes an unsolicited telephone call you asking for identifying information, even if they introduce themselves as a representative from your credit card company, mortgage lender, bank, or similar.

Essentially, take the time to think before you act and trust your gut.

As always, please let us know if you have questions about this or anything other legal matters that you may have.

 

Helpful Links

Department of Homeland Security:
https://www.dhs.gov/topic/combating-cyber-crime

Old Republic National Title:
https://www.oldrepublictitle.com/panational/newsletter/Cybercrime2.htm

Information of digital pick pocketing:
http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/digital-pickpockets

You know you want to listen to the song….:
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=somebody%27s+watching+me+song#id=1&vid=2d3209714264f5fd355174f9205181ad&action=click