Before You Depart: Preparing For The Unexpected » 2007

How to avoid scams on the web

Sunday, September 23rd, 2007

There are a lot of stories in the papers these days about people being scammed online. Getting educated and following some simple steps can really help you identify and avoid scams before its too late! Here are some tips from our Security section:

Be wary of fraudulent email.

A fraudulent or spoofed email pretends to be from a site you are a member of in an attempt to get personal information from you. Then they take over your account and can view your information. You should always be careful about who you give your information to.

You have the power to prevent scammers from affecting you.
Spoofed, or “phishing,” emails, and the spoofed websites they direct you to, are deceptive in appearance. However, you will always be able to spot content that reveals they are fake if you know how to look.

Know how to spot a spoofed email.

1. Generic Greetings – Many spoofed emails begin with a general greeting, such as: “Dear YouDeparted Member.” A real email from us will always be addressed to your name.
2. A False sense of urgency – Most spoofed emails try to deceive you with the threat that your account is in jeopardy if you do not update or modify it soon. If you get an email that asks you to renew a subscription or change your information, NEVER click on the link in the e-mail. To make any changes to your account, always login to your account yourself.
3. Fake links – The text in a link may on first glance look valid, but then send you to a spoofed website. Always check where a link goes before you click it. To do this, move your mouse over the link and look at the URL in your browser or email status bar. If you do click a link, make sure that the URL in the address bar of your internet browser is correct before you do anything on that site.

Learn more about how to spot spoofed emails.
Read our guide that lists 10 ways to spot spoofed emails and websites.

We will never ask you the following questions in an email:
Your username, password or secret key
Credit and debit card numbers
Bank account numbers
Driver’s License numbers
Email addresses
Your name

Report spoofed email and websites it to us.
If you get a spoofed email or find a website that pretends to be YouDeparted, forward the entire email or the website address to us at spoofed@youdeparted.com. We take spoofing scams very seriously and will investigate every spoof you report.

More Information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing - A good wikipedia article about spoofed emails and “Phishing” scams

http://www.antiphishing.org/consumer_recs.html - The Anti-Phishing Working Group guide to avoiding scams.

Posted in News | No Comments »

Before You Depart:
Preparing For The Unexpected

Before You Depart

Categories

Archives

Resources

Subscribe through Feedburner

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archive for September, 2007

New Zealand Commits to 90% Renewable Electricity by 2025

How to avoid scams on the web

	About Sign Up! Blog Demo Security Our Service Home Before You Depart: Preparing For The Unexpected
	Before You Depart Advice and tips how to organize your life now so you and your family are prepared if something happens to you. Categories Advice (26) Announcements (3) Blogroll (1) Interesting Stories (1) Links (3) News (31) Other sites (1) Planning Ahead (5) Related Blogs (2) Updates (10) Archives September 2007 (2) August 2007 (1) July 2007 (15) June 2007 (26) May 2007 (6) April 2007 (2) March 2007 (4) February 2007 (1) January 2007 (2) November 2006 (2) Resources YouDeparted.com Subscribe through Feedburner Subscribe through Feedburner Recent Posts New Zealand Commits to 90% Renewable Electricity by 2025 How to avoid scams on the web “Sidejacking” session information over WiFi NOT a problem for YouDeparted members Oscar the cat knows when a patient’s time has come Interesting website on CNN today - My Death Space Recent Comments Idetrorce on Make Accessing Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail accounts of the Deceased much easier Top Soft News » Free account and trials for service that helps your family if you die. on YouDeparted announces a free* account and 14-day trials for premium plans! Breast Cancer Message Boards on Decide Your Own Fate with Advanced Health Care Directives Martha Mihaly on New Zealand Commits to 90% Renewable Electricity by 2025 MouseOver » Blog Archive » Je online voorbereiden op je dood on Make Accessing Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail accounts of the Deceased much easier Archive for September, 2007 New Zealand Commits to 90% Renewable Electricity by 2025 Thursday, September 27th, 2007 Here is a popular post I found on Digg’s Environment section today: “In a speech this week, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke announced New Zealand’s intention to commit to 90% renewable electricity by 2025. The country already uses 70% renewable electricity, primarily hydro- and geothermal power and will continue to increase its use of renewables over the next 20 years.” New Zealand is looking like a pretty good place to live! read more \| digg story News Blogs: Topic - Ornaments Top casino Intimate goods Green Card Information Tunings Suits Balans Cases FDA Approved Pharmacy Sportswear Top auto-moto Replica Rolex Necklace Cars auto-moto Boats Chairs Mobiles Yachts Cigarette Underwear Medical tests Ear rings Rolex Replica Blog Search the Web Building materials Dating �ables Chronometer ya.by Bracelets Ladies handbag Autos furniture Fashions Medicine news Posted in News \| 1 Comment » How to avoid scams on the web Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 There are a lot of stories in the papers these days about people being scammed online. Getting educated and following some simple steps can really help you identify and avoid scams before its too late! Here are some tips from our Security section: Be wary of fraudulent email. A fraudulent or spoofed email pretends to be from a site you are a member of in an attempt to get personal information from you. Then they take over your account and can view your information. You should always be careful about who you give your information to. You have the power to prevent scammers from affecting you. Spoofed, or “phishing,” emails, and the spoofed websites they direct you to, are deceptive in appearance. However, you will always be able to spot content that reveals they are fake if you know how to look. Know how to spot a spoofed email. 1. Generic Greetings – Many spoofed emails begin with a general greeting, such as: “Dear YouDeparted Member.” A real email from us will always be addressed to your name. 2. A False sense of urgency – Most spoofed emails try to deceive you with the threat that your account is in jeopardy if you do not update or modify it soon. If you get an email that asks you to renew a subscription or change your information, NEVER click on the link in the e-mail. To make any changes to your account, always login to your account yourself. 3. Fake links – The text in a link may on first glance look valid, but then send you to a spoofed website. Always check where a link goes before you click it. To do this, move your mouse over the link and look at the URL in your browser or email status bar. If you do click a link, make sure that the URL in the address bar of your internet browser is correct before you do anything on that site. Learn more about how to spot spoofed emails. Read our guide that lists 10 ways to spot spoofed emails and websites. We will never ask you the following questions in an email: Your username, password or secret key Credit and debit card numbers Bank account numbers Driver’s License numbers Email addresses Your name Report spoofed email and websites it to us. If you get a spoofed email or find a website that pretends to be YouDeparted, forward the entire email or the website address to us at spoofed@youdeparted.com. We take spoofing scams very seriously and will investigate every spoof you report. More Information. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing - A good wikipedia article about spoofed emails and “Phishing” scams http://www.antiphishing.org/consumer_recs.html - The Anti-Phishing Working Group guide to avoiding scams. Posted in News \| No Comments »