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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The Two Faces of Technology
 Technology enhances our lives in ways people couldn't have dreamed of a hundred years ago. What would many of us do without cell phones to communicate, MP3 players to listen to or GPS navigation devices to point us in the right direction? But like the classic tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, there are two sides to every story. Although there is no menacing monster lurking in the shadows, fraudsters trying to lure victims with their scams can be just as frightening. Here are a few popular scams associated with your favorite gadgets.
The Dark Side of Technology
- Text message scams. This scam works by sending a friendly message from a phone number the intended victim doesn't recognize. When the victim texts back, he or she is charged a high fee for messages received and sent out.
- Internet scams, such as phishing or pharming, are common online. In one scam, a fraudster e-mails you posing as a bank, charity organization or government agency. The e-mail sent to your inbox looks official and asks you to verify personal information, such as your Social Security number, online passwords or credit card details. Pharming is when a virus is downloaded onto your computer. This virus allows a scammer to take control of your Web browser. Each time you try to access a reputable company online, such as your financial institution, you'll be taken to a fake site without realizing it. All the scammer has to do is wait until you enter your personal information on this site.
- Online auction fraud. Popular online auction sites such as eBay® are not immune from fraud either. Scammers will try to pose as these sites in order to get personal information from you.
Partners in Safety
Never divulge your personal information over the phone or online unless you initiated the call and you know it's a reputable company. At Chaco CU, we are dedicated to keeping your information safe. Sign up for E-statements today to access your account information quickly and securely.
To find out more about scams, visit the National Consumers League at www.fraud.org.
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