UNISYS: Ten ways to 'Beat the Cheats' this Christmas

"While Christmas is normally a time for goodwill among men it is also a time when fraudsters prey on consumers and businesses that let their guard down," said Neil Fisher, vice president of global security solutions at Unisys. The cardinal rule is don't be too trusting. Check everything and don't expect the system to always protect you. Above all, take responsibility for your own security. So when you plug your new Christmas gadget into the Internet, make sure you've already enabled the firewall, otherwise you'll be hit by something malicious within minutes, which will cripple your computer and make you an easy target for identity theft. But the sky isn't falling either; you can beat the cheats by proactively following a few simple precautions."

The dangers of online fraud continue to grow. CIFAS, the UK's fraud prevention service, reports that the number of victims of ID fraud rose by a third in 2009 compared to the previous year. In October, the Unisys Security Index, a bi-annual study into consumer security concerns across nine countries, revealed that over 80 per cent of people in the UKare nervous about the misuse of their bank card details and 83 per cent worry about unauthorised access to their personal information.

Ian Readhead, Director of Information for the Association of Chief Police Officers, warns:

"With the Christmas season approaching and the reality that members of our local communities will be spending more than usual for presents online, the risk of ID theft is greatly enhanced. If you discover yourself drawn to a deal that is just 'too good to be true', it probably is. The advice is to keep vigilant, check the source, verify personal or company details and be aware that criminals will try and seek out the vulnerable and complacent."

Toby Stevens, Director of the Enterprise Privacy Group Limited, also supports this view: "The internet has ushered in new threats. Personal information is now currency. It's easy to exploit and from a criminals' point of view, is low risk; the chances of getting caught are almost negligible. In the Christmas shopping rush, be careful not to forget to protect your personal information and credit card details online, or to review statements to check for fraud."

Ten Ways to Beat the Cheats this Christmas

1. Online Shopping Threats

Online shopping, or purchasing goods over the phone, is a great way to buy gifts but can also lead to problems for those who don't shop with caution. According to Financial Fraud Action UK, phone, internet and mail order fraud cost Britons GBP134 million in the first half of 2009.

Always shop on safe sites, look for the padlock icon at the bottom of the screen and if you have second thoughts about using a site or retailer, follow your instincts and avoid it. Where possible, use a credit card rather than a debit card as banks can often offer consumers a higher level of protection when a credit card is used. If buying through sites such as Amazon or eBay, take the time to read the seller feedback. Poor ratings or no ratings at all usually mean that the seller is definitely not someone you should be doing business with. Be sure to check your bank statements regularly for any unexpected 'purchases'.

2. Seasonal Spyware

Whether searching the Internet for a free "dancing Santa download" or checking your inbox for those Christmas or New Year themed e-cards or we all love to receive, be sure to click with caution. The number of malicious e-cards circulating is expected to rise this year so never open an email or attachment from an unknown sender and don't download 'exe' files as these often contain adware, malware, unwanted downloads and spyware. If you can't resist opening a file, drag it into your 'junk' email folder first as this allows you to check all the links to see if they are legitimate. If a site looks suspicious, don't click on it. If you do get caught out, be sure to run a virus scan to clean up your machine afterwards.

3. 'Not So Social' Networking

Social network sites such as Facebook, Bebo and Twitter can be a great way to keep in touch with friends and family over the holiday season, but for those looking to carry out fraud or ID theft - they're the perfect place to gather information on an individual. According to GetSafeOnline, one in four people using social networking sites have posted confidential or personal information such as phone number, address or email on their online profile. So be wary of games or quizzes where you input your details (name of first pet, mother's maiden name etc) to work out your quirky name (e.g. Santa's elf or exotic dancer name), as these are often devices to harvest personal details which can be sold on to the highest bidder. While these applications may sit on reputable sites such as Facebook, they're not owned by Facebook, which means they're not accountable to the host site and there is control over what data they collect and how they store it.

4. Beware ATM Skimmers

Always be aware of your environment when using an ATM, particularly when the streets are busy with last minute Christmas shoppers or late-night party revellers. According to the European ATM Security Team, ATM card trapping scams are up a staggering 640% so now more than ever people need to be vigilant. If you think someone is too close behind you or looking over your shoulder, find a different ATM machine. Thieves are becoming more and more sophisticated so also check the actual structure of the machine to make sure that it is solid and sturdy. Skimming scams involve the front of the ATM being fitted with a false panel which contains a small webcam or digital camera which can capture your details. If the ATM machine appears to be behaving oddly or does not work the first time, go to a different machine - don't try it again!

5. Fake Online Payment Sites

There are now many useful escrow services such as PayPal that allow businesses and consumers to securely and conveniently send and receive payments online. However escrow scams are on the increase as fraudsters are setting up fake payment sites to con both buyers and sellers out of money. Legitimate Escrow sites are secure. If you are unsure, check that they have SSL certification, indicated by the locked padlock at the bottom of the screen. Also check that the web address starts as https:// rather than just http:// as this is often an indicator of rogue traders. A real escrow company will also only ask you to transfer money to them directly from your bank, i.e. a traceable transfer. If they ask for another method, refuse. Before you send anything, verify with your bank where the receiving bank is located. If this looks like it is outside the seller's own country, stop the transaction.

6. 'Spirit of Giving'

Christmas is the season for sharing and, as a result, thieves will often make the most of people's generosity over the festive season. Watch out for emails or tweets from charities that ask for donations, particularly if you have never signed up to receive correspondence from them. Be sure to check that door-to-door charity collectors have some form of identification and if in doubt; phone the charity directly to ask if they have sent representatives out to collect donations in your street - genuine charity collectors won't mind standing outside the house while you do this.

7. Gift Grabbers

Don't let an opportunistic thief steal your perfect Christmas. After opening all the presents, make sure you break down the boxes so that the contents is not obvious to passers-by on the street. Thieves are more likely to target homes with home theatre or PC boxes in the trash. The same is true of bills, receipts and financial statements - not only could cheaters tell what you've bought, they could steal your identity. Increasingly, ID fraudsters empty bins to piece together old bank statements, utility bills and receipts. It's also possible to intercept people's post, before it even reaches the intended recipient. This is particularly the case for people living in apartment blocks and using mail boxes. When they go on holiday, post can quickly build up. Any post that is not placed securely in a mailbox can be easily stolen and the information used for someone else's gain. Similarly, don't forget that using social networks to post photos of expensive belongings or dates when you are away from home over the holidays can act as an invitation for would-be thieves searching for their next target.

8. Protect your New Laptop

If you received a new PC or laptop running on MS Vista or Windows 7 for Christmas make sure you have enabled the firewall before connecting to the Internet and are using anti-malware software. Whether you are connected to a wireless network or via a cable, on average, it can take just 9 seconds for your new PC/laptop to receive its first 'ping' attack and less than a minute to receive its first virus.

9. 'Free' Wi-Fi and Wireless Network Hacks

If you are setting up a wireless network at home (or workplace) ensure it is secure. This is because the wi-fi network range will radiate beyond the confines of your house meaning that it would be vulnerable to 'wardriving' (the act of searching for Wi-Fi wireless networks by a person in a moving vehicle, using a portable computer so they can use your unsecured network for free). Moreover, they could sit outside your house and use your wireless network to anonymously download all sorts of illegal material - and it would look like you were to blame. Similarly they could perpetrate an attack that looks as if it is coming from you. Wardrivers are also known to hack into computers to steal personal details. The best known case of "wardriving" is the TK Maxx case where they lost over 45.7 million personal credit and debit card details (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.K._Maxx). The crime went on for four years before it was detected.

It is also worth remembering that if you have ever used an unsecured wireless network belonging to someone else without their permission to "just download my email" it is illegal and punishable by law in the UK.

10. Account Check Cons

Be wary of account checking scams at home or work where a phoney 'representative' of a bank or regular supplier contacts you either by phone or email to ask for account details in order to update their records. Callers will often claim that they need certain data in order to check the security of your account whilst actually obtaining very valuable information to carry out fraud. In the lead-up to Christmas, remind your family, friends and colleagues to err on the side of caution and refuse to give out any personal details either on the phone or online. If you think the call is genuine, ask to call them back directly and check the number is real by visiting their website before you call back. Recently in the UK, fraudsters have been calling members of the public to 'verify stored personal data because of the Data Protection Act'. This is a scam; make sure they tell you what data they hold on you before you verify any details.

*Unisys is a worldwide technology and solutions company.

CONTACT: Katie Turner, Account Executive, Brands2Life
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