Consumer Tips

Using Facebook, Twitter and social media

What is Social Networking?

Social Networking is a growing tool used for connecting and interacting with people. Most social networks are Internet-based and use a variety of ways to communicate with people such as email and instant messaging. There is an increase in the number of people who are using the tool and with its popularity there is a potential for fraudsters to take advantage of vulnerable personal information. Some of the problems associated with social networking attacks can include:

Spreading Viruses
Stealing identity
Stealing personal information (name, credit card numbers, SIN)

Identity theft, for example, can allow fraudsters to use your name and personal information to make unauthorized purchases, access to your bank account and obtaining loans under your name.

To prevent these scam artists, the Better Business Bureau offers tips for safe social networking.

Know The Five P's of Safe Social

Networking Tips:

Privacy
Limit the amount of personal information shown on your profile; such as full name, date of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, spouse or other names and birth dates. Those personal information is extremely dangerous in the hands of identity thieves as it can be used to perpetrate various forms of identity theft.

Privacy Settings
Every social networking site has a directory by default which people can easily find you. To protect yourself from that, you have to adjust your privacy setting which every social networking site should have. Adjust it, so...

You are comfortable with it

Only friends can see your profile

Only friends can search and find you

Your profile will not appear on any public search engine ex. Google

Permanent Marking
Assume everything you write to friends and on the Internet will be permanent. Write as if you are speaking in real life. Treat social networking like a criminal record; you want to keep it clean and unwritten on. You don't want your friends to have a bad image of you on the internet.

Protect yourself

What many users do is they accept all friend requests they get, but often not realizing they are opening themselves to dangers of identity theft or related crime. Some tips to protect yourself are...

When you receive a friend request from someone you know, verify with an email or phone call; therefore you know if it is an imposter or not

Be aware of people you don't recognize, feel free to send them a message before adding them. If they don't reply, investigate or just ignore the request

Report anyone that is violating the Terms of Use

Block anyone that sends you abusive or uncomfortable messages

Passwords

Do not give anyone your password. Avoid any references to any information you may post on your profile such as birthday, pet names, favorite things and etc.

Also, include numbers and even symbols like comma in your password; it will make the password harder to crack.

If You become a Victim

Contact the fraud departments of each of the two major credit bureaus and request that a Fraud Alert be placed in your file. Order a copy of your credit report at the same time to check for any
inconsistencies.

Equifax toll-free 1.800.465.7166 www.equifax.ca

TransUnion toll-free 1.866.525.0262 www.tuc.ca

Recovering from identity theft can be a long and complicated process. It is wise to keep a record of all communications, send all letters by certified mail and keep copies.

Also, file a report with your local Police.
Although they are often unable to help recover any items, a report may be necessary to help convince creditors that someone else is using your personal information.

For more information on identity theft go to:

Council of Better Business Bureaus www.bbbonline.org

BC Crime Prevention Association
604.291.9959
www.bccpa.org

PhoneBusters
toll-free 1.888.495.8501
www.phonebusters.com

Canadian Marketing Association
416.391.2362
www.the-cma.org

Vancouver Police Dept.
Crime Prevention
www.vancouver.ca/police/crimeprevention