Avoiding scams, fraud, stolen identity, theft, etc.

[QuarterMillionMan]

FBI warns against 2-factor text authentications.

FBI warns against using two-factor text authentication

I've been changing to either email authentications or using Google authenticator.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I put security freezes on all 3 of my credit bureau accounts. However, I learned there is a 4th but not well-known credit bureau which I just freezed and got in the mail my PIN to unlock it.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Good advice, in addition, I forwarded the scam email to Chase's customer service email. This is the scammers email, noreply@qemailserver.com, dead give away that it's not from Chase.

[disneysteve]

I got this email to click on the link but no way. BTW, my name is not Jeremy.

First step is always to check the sender's email address. I guarantee it was not from chase.com.

Second step is to go directly to their site, not using the link in the email, and see if there is actually anything wrong. That's assuming that you even actually have a Chase account. I get notices like this periodically from companies I don't even do business with.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I got this email to click on the link but no way. BTW, my name is not Jeremy.

[srblanco7]

Just got done dealing with some identity theft issues, it's pretty scary stuff.
We froze our credit, replaced all cards, put new passwords on everything, notified anyplace we had money, etc.

We had the same happen several years ago. And we seem to get at least an annual notice that we were involved in some merchant's data breach. We have credit freezes in place. Also, 2FA on all of our accounts. We also use a separate email address for all of our banking/investment accounts. And, we get a text notification whenever a credit card transaction is made.

Any other best practices people implement?

[disneysteve]

My 85 yr old mom sometimes ask me what she should do about let's say McAfee saying something is wrong with her account or something like that. Then I would ask her if she has McAfee but she'd say no. I'd tell her to delete the email or don't converse with anyone over the phone about scams like that. A few times she had ask me about scams. She has been lucky so far but I fear she'll fall for a scam eventually.

It happens with my mom ALL THE TIME. It’s maddening how they target the seniors but they’re gullible, they’re very trusting, and they’re cognitively impaired. It’s a recipe for disaster.

[QuarterMillionMan]

My 85 yr old mom sometimes ask me what she should do about let's say McAfee saying something is wrong with her account or something like that. Then I would ask her if she has McAfee but she'd say no. I'd tell her to delete the email or don't converse with anyone over the phone about scams like that. A few times she had ask me about scams. She has been lucky so far but I fear she'll fall for a scam eventually.

[disneysteve]

That would definitely be a red flag for me. I have not even been in a Lowe's in close to 20 years.

That's always the best. Periodically my wife will tell me she got some email about her Amazon account, except the Amazon account is in my name and in no way associated with her email. Stuff like that happens all the time - messages about a problem with my account from a company that I don't do any business with.

[crazyliblady]

Annoying getting emails like this;

That would definitely be a red flag for me. I have not even been in a Lowe's in close to 20 years.

[disneysteve]

Annoying getting emails like this;

Yep. A ton of them. Most get caught by the spam filter but some get through so I just flag them as spam. I’m sure it makes no difference though since each one comes from a different address.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Annoying getting emails like this;

[kork13]

Well that was easy.

..... Which is saying something for any federal agency.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Well that was easy.

[disneysteve]

Oh one other point!

I recommend everyone go to SSA.gov and set up an account with your name and social security number. At least that way you'll have it locked down so no one else makes an account in your name.

Everyone should do that. That’s where you can get your SS estimate to use in your retirement planning.