1. ACH/Wire transfer attacking small/medium businesses: Fraudsters are targeting the ACH (automated clearing house) network for clearance of electronic funds to send illegitimate corporate wire transfers. In 2010, they are expected to focus more on small- and medium-sized businesses as larger businesses increase security.
2. Attacks via Vendor-managed servers: Businesses that outsource their transactional network servers must ensure those vendors maintain acceptable security levels.
3. ATM skimming: Because skimming machines look identical to legitimate ATM/card reader devices, this is a difficult fraud method to detect and prevent.
4. First party fraud: Criminals gradually establish good credit using an alias with a card issuer or business and then “bust out,” running up enormous debt and abandoning the credit account. This is also difficult to detect and prevent.
5. Phishing: Email “phishing” attacks that illegally solicit victims’ personal information with official-looking requests are becoming more sophisticated, and increased 600% during 2009 according to the Anti Phishing Working Group.
6. Check fraud: Fraudsters have easy access to paper, printers and scanners to create phony checks. In addition, hackers can obtain detailed personal banking information from online check viewing services.
7. Internal fraud: Employees are increasingly a source of corporate fraud, as are contractors, business partners and suppliers.
8. Mobile phones: Mobile phone fraud is not yet a major problem but inevitably will rise as mobile phones increase in popularity and functionality. Web-enabled mobile phones are vulnerable to the same types of worms and viruses as PCs.
9. Online application fraud: Similar to first party fraud, this involves criminals manipulating multiple online applications using multiple identities from multiple access points.
10. Prepaid cards: Prepaid cards are a popular item for criminals to buy with stolen credit cards, and also customers often steal them from stores and then have them activated to obtain free spending power.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
ONLINE DATING SCAMS ON THE RISE-BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE IN ORDER
Online dating websites are booming and consumers now have hundreds of match-making and internet dating sites to choose from. In addition to popular websites such as Match.com and eHarmony, millions are connected to social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Experts warn that persons met via the Internet should be verified to minimize the risk for scams.
International background check services are available and recommended for any relationship which is begun over the Internet, and when the person involved is not known personally. Without the assistance of a professional investigator or background check company, it can be nearly impossible to verify if someone is who he or she claims to be when the subject resides in a foreign country. Private investigators recently have reported strong demand in background checks as the risk for scams and fraud increase, and more people are now connecting online.
A dating background check is simply a background check or verification process which involves a subject who was met over the Internet, and where the relationship is romantic in nature. If a relationship is progressing and there is a chance for a serious relationship, industry observers emphasize getting a background check early, since many consumers contact private investigators after the damage is done, and the fraud or scam complete.
Of course most people on the Internet on social networking sites and online dating websites are good people and honest. Criminals have unfortunately taken advantage of this situation, as nearly all such websites don't provide any verification process for their subscribers. As a result, many scammers are now targeting such websites and targeting the consumers online. The criminals pose as Mr. or Ms. Perfect and work to gain the victim's trust and heart - and later their money. Scammers are increasingly sophisticated in their techniques and distinguising the good from the bad is no an easy task, and a professional background is advised.
Major red flags include working overseas, sudden emergencies or illness, requests for money, and so on. Investigators warn however that the combinations are endless. In conclusion, online dating is a risk-reward game, and the risk continues to rise.
International background check services are available and recommended for any relationship which is begun over the Internet, and when the person involved is not known personally. Without the assistance of a professional investigator or background check company, it can be nearly impossible to verify if someone is who he or she claims to be when the subject resides in a foreign country. Private investigators recently have reported strong demand in background checks as the risk for scams and fraud increase, and more people are now connecting online.
A dating background check is simply a background check or verification process which involves a subject who was met over the Internet, and where the relationship is romantic in nature. If a relationship is progressing and there is a chance for a serious relationship, industry observers emphasize getting a background check early, since many consumers contact private investigators after the damage is done, and the fraud or scam complete.
Of course most people on the Internet on social networking sites and online dating websites are good people and honest. Criminals have unfortunately taken advantage of this situation, as nearly all such websites don't provide any verification process for their subscribers. As a result, many scammers are now targeting such websites and targeting the consumers online. The criminals pose as Mr. or Ms. Perfect and work to gain the victim's trust and heart - and later their money. Scammers are increasingly sophisticated in their techniques and distinguising the good from the bad is no an easy task, and a professional background is advised.
Major red flags include working overseas, sudden emergencies or illness, requests for money, and so on. Investigators warn however that the combinations are endless. In conclusion, online dating is a risk-reward game, and the risk continues to rise.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Police say 20-year-old Christopher Gomez (pictured left) and a group of friends traveled to Orlando to party downtown and celebrate a birthday. But when they returned to the Downtown Marriott on Livingston Street, Gomez got into a fight with 19-year-old James Brandon Combee Jr., another member of the group.
Gomez (pictured right) was shot to death, and investigators say Combee ran away from the scene. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
OPD is asking anyone with information about the murder to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Tipsters could be eligible for a $5,000 reward.
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