Prevention Works

Don’t Let Smishing Get to You!

When you get a text message that looks like it’s legitimately from your bank, credit card company or another entity you do business with, it’s a normal reaction to want to reply. But if the message asks for ANY personal information, DO NOT REPLY.

The message could simply request a text reply or include a number to call, misinforming you, for example, that your account information was compromised and your debit card canceled. Please don’t be fooled by these card scammers, who have taken to a new medium — text messaging — to steal your information and sell it on the black market. It’s called smishing, and many banks nationwide have experienced these new scams affecting thousands of individuals. These scams have already caused tens of millions of dollars in losses.  

You, however, are not powerless against these criminals. You can help stop them.
But we all have to work together. Protecting the public at large, as well as its customers, is the primary reason MidSouth Bank teamed up last year with the National Crime Prevention Council and McGruff the Crime Dog to launch the Shine A Light On Fraud (#ShineALightOnFraud) initiative.

Both entities are working hard throughout the year to protect the public, starting with the following tips, which also apply to email and phone scams:

1. Keep in mind that a reputable business will NEVER call, text or email you for personal information. A red flag should immediately go up if any business requests personal or bank information (debit or credit card number, expiration date, security code or PIN) via an unsolicited phone call or automated message such as a text.
   
   
2. Do not respond to these types of requests. That means you should never reply to the text message, call the number provided within the text message or go to a web address sent by text message.
   
   
3. Delete the message and call your bank (or whoever the smishing is impersonating) to report it. If you think the text might be legitimate, or if you inadvertently responded to text messages or called the fraudulent phone number, call your bank or the business immediately to report the text message using the telephone number on your statement or invoice. DO NOT use the number provided in the text message.
   
   
4. Monitor your accounts online regularly to confirm all charges and transactions are correct.
   
   
5. Educate your family and friends.

For more information and timely advice on how to protect yourself from fraud, read our weekly #ShineALightOnFraud tips by following MidSouth Bank on Facebook and Twitter.

Summer Safety Tips - Don't Be a Victim of Summertime Crime

As summertime reaches its peak so does household property crime. The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), and McGruff the Crime Dog^® are here to provide you and your loved ones with important safety tips to make your summer safe and enjoyable.

“Summer is the perfect time for a family break, but criminals don’t take a summer break,” said NCPC’s CEO, Ann M. Harkins. “You can avoid becoming a victim to lurking property predators by staying alert and following a few basic prevention measures.”

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, – “Household property crimes exhibited a pattern of seasonal fluctuations from 1993 to 2010. The most common pattern for household property crimes was that victimization occurred at higher rates during the summer than during other seasons.” 

Home Safety Tips

• Be aware of what’s happening in the neighborhood: Download the McGruff Mobile app (available on iTunes or Google Play) to stay up-to-date regarding home and vehicle burglaries near your home. Receive and share information on the virtual neighborhood watch about suspicious activity in your neighborhood and receive alerts when you are away.
• Lock your doors, including the garage door. Unlocked doors are open invitations to intruders.
• Ask a trusted family member, friend, or neighbor to keep a watchful eye on your home or have your mail held at the local post office until your return. 
• Put lights on timers to give the impression that someone is home.
• Don’t post on social media that you are leaving town, and wait post photos after you return from your trip.

Vacation Tips

• Lock your room and remember not to give out your room number or invite strangers into your hotel room.
• Be friendly but be vigilant. Watch for and report any suspicious behavior.
• Plan your route – stay within well-traveled routes and walk in groups.  There’s safety in numbers.
• Keep your belongings secure - Purses should be securely closed, backpacks are zipped, and wallets are kept in your front pocket. When dining in restaurants do not hang your purse or backpack on the back of your chair.

Tips for Parents

• Be proactive – make a backup plan in case the group gets separated during a family outing and have a scheduled meeting place and time.
• If your child or teen will be alone a significant amount of time, have him/her check in with you if they plan to leave the house and when they arrive back home.
• Monitor Internet and social media activity to establish children and teens are visiting appropriate sites and following guidelines. 

Car Safety Tips

• Always lock your doors and roll up your windows when you leave your car.
• Do not leave valuables in the car.  If you must leave prized possessions in your vehicle keep them out of sight or hidden in the trunk.
• Before you get into your car, check the backseat and around the car.  Lock your doors once inside the car.

These prevention tips are simple steps to avoiding summertime crime. If you would like more information, please visit www.ncpc.org. To get the free McGruff Mobile App, download for free on iTunes or Google Play.

McGruff Turns 35! Join Him on Instagram and Celebrate

McGruff the Crime Dog®, the National Crime Prevention Council’s iconic symbol of safety and crime prevention, is turning 35 this year and he is marking the occasion with a month-long social media celebration.

McGruff will make his first appearance on Instagram for his birthday, today, July 1, 2015. (follow @McGruff_NCPC) 

Celebrate with NCPC and be involved in McGruff’s efforts to “Take A Bite Out Of Crime®”. You can post photos with McGruff, share memories, or simply send him a birthday shout out using the hashtag #McGruff35. You can also participate on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn all month long.  

Instructions:

A photo of McGruff can be downloaded here. Print it, cut it out, and upload photos of you and McGruff to Instagram using the hashtag #McGruff35. Take him with you as you celebrate summer and remember to practice good safety habits.

About McGruff:

In 1980, a dog in a rumpled trench coat said, "You don't know me yet. But you will." Since then, McGruff the Crime Dog has taught millions of people that law enforcement can't fight crime alone. Crime prevention is everybody's business and everyone can help "Take A Bite Out Of Crime." Through television commercials, comic books, live appearances, and more, McGruff has encouraged Americans to take reasonable steps to prevent crime.

Current issues include preventing elder abuse, bullying/cyberbullying, intellectual property theft/counterfeits, mortgage fraud, financial fraud, and preventing 18-24 year olds from becoming first-time victims of crime. Other issues include safe firearms storage, preventing gang violence, and promoting crime prevention tactics for homes, neighborhoods, and individuals.

Friend us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn to stay connected as the National Crime Prevent Council shares easy-to-use crime prevention tips that protect what matters most— you, your family, and your community.

Join us in July, using the hashtag #McGruff35.

7 Tips to Protect Yourself from Cybercrime

Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans has been the victim of cybercrime? As technology continues to move forward, making our lives easier and more connected, cyber criminals are developing more sophisticated techniques to exploit technology for their benefit.

No country, industry, community, or individual is immune to cyber risks, and no one government agency, company, or individual can thwart the risks alone. We all have a role to play in stopping cybercrime.

In honor of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, (NCSAM) here are 7 measures you can take to protect yourself from online criminals.

1. Create Strong Passwords – Create passwords with eight characters or more and that use a combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols.
2. Keep Private Information Private – Keep social security numbers, account numbers, and passwords private, as well as specific information about yourself, such as your full name and date of birth.
3. Lock Your Computer – Lock your computer and smartphones when not in use.
4. Protect Your Computer – Be cautious about opening attachments or clicking on links in emails and remember that free apps (games, ringtones, screen savers) can hide viruses or spam.
5. Own Your Online Presence – Always use privacy settings on social networking websites.
6. Do Business with Reputable Vendors – Before providing any personal or financial information, make sure that you are interacting with a reputable, established vendor.
7. Report Suspicious Activity – Report online fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.

Join us and the Department of Homeland Security’s Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign on Thursday for a Twitter Chat on Preventing and Recovering from Cybercrime

• Time: Thursday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. EST
• Host: @STOPTHNKCONNECT
• Details: Use #ChatSTC and #NSCAM to participate

To learn more about National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2014, visit www.dhs.gov/national-cyber-security-awareness-month-2014. For more cybersecurity tips, visit the Homeland Security Investigation’s Cyber Crimes Center at www.ice.gov/cyber-crimes or the Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign website at www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect.

 

Social Media and Cyber-Bullying

Recently, Myspace has been emailing previous users in an attempt to increase their logins. In the email, users are sent old photos from their Myspace with the caption, “The good, the rad, and the what were you thinking…” and a link to the Myspace profile where the photos originated. This is a concerted effort by Myspace to reengage past users.

Myspace is trying to increase visits to its site by reminding users of the amount of photos that it still has on its servers years or decades after the profiles were forgotten. This incident is a reminder of the permanency of information that is placed on the internet. Photographs that are long forgotten by the users of Myspace, Facebook, and other social media websites remain on the internet for anyone to see. Below is a check list of safety tips from our good friend, McGruff the Crime Dog® (National Crime Prevention Council) to help remind us of ways to keep our information and personal details safe on the Internet.

• Read the privacy policy posted on the website as most social media websites retain the rights to any photos that users upload.
• Do not post private or sensitive information on social media sites.
• Photos or information about credit cards, bank statements, or other personal information can be used by criminals to charge your account.
• Do not put unnecessary private information on your social media site.
• Remember that any information you upload to the internet may be permanent.
• Be careful about responding to emails with photos you have uploaded, as anyone can obtain them.

Keep your private information private, and be safe!

Myspace story courtesy of Mashable http://mashable.com/2014/06/01/myspace-old-photos/

Keeping Kids Safe Online

The Internet has dramatically changed the way our kids interact with the world. They have access to incredible amounts of information, educational tools and games. On the flipside, they are extremely vulnerable to the countless negative images and websites out there that we need to protect our children from.

The fact that our kids live in a digital world doesn’t have to overwhelm us as parents. The more we know and communicate with our kids and watch out for them, the safer they will be. Below is a check list of safety tips and discussion topics, as well as great software resource from our good friend, McGruff the Crime Dog® (National Crime Prevention Council) to help ease the burden of keeping kids from unnecessary risk.

Online Safety Tips for Parents and Kids:

• Make sure you talk to your kids often about online safety.
• Keep the computer and other devices in a high-traffic area of your home such as the kitchen or living room where you can see what your child is doing.
• Surf the Internet with your children and let them show you what they like to do online, as well as games and apps on their iPods, laptops, iPads and other devices. Review the privacy policies of your child’s favorite sites to be aware of what kind of information is being collected about your child, and how it is being used.
• Remember that Internet technology can be mobile, so make sure to monitor cell phones, gaming devices, and laptops. Take a peek often to see what sites they’ve been surfing.
• Establish limits for which online sites children may visit and for how long (suggestion, less than one hour/day). By not allowing them to have free reign reduces their chances of being exposed to inappropriate content.
• Talk to your kids about the importance of keeping their information private. Tell your children NOT to put photos of themselves on the Internet or to give out their names, addresses, phone numbers, schools (even school mascot), or other personal information online.
• Know who is connecting with your children online and set rules for social networking, instant messaging, e-mailing, online games, and using webcams.
• Most browsers have settings that can block websites or entire domains. Use these controls to pre-select websites children can or cannot visit.
• Teach your child what to do if he/she comes across inappropriate sites or receives emails or invitations from strangers. Teach children what to do if they encounter pornography on a home or public computer, such as at a school or a library. Let them know to go to adult immediately for help.
• Install an internet filter or family safety software. Take a look at McGruff Safeguard from our good friend, McGruff the Crime Dog®. This software allows you to set parental controls and block websites, monitor child’s emails, web browsing history and Facebook posts for older kids. It can be installed on up to 6 different computers and even allows you to set time limits.
  

By teaching our kids how to stay safe online, keeping open communication with them about what they are doing on the internet and keeping a watchful eye, we can better protect them from the dangers of the digital world. Enjoy the great things technology has to offer now that you have the tools to keep your kids safe!

Summer Safety

Summer is almost here and most children will be out of school enjoying all types of summer activities. Some will go to camps, make a trip to visit relatives, or the entire family will take a trip to a long-planned destination.  Whatever the itinerary, we all need to be diligent to keep ourselves and our children safe and out of harm’s way. Summertime should be filled with enjoyment, adventure, and relaxation whether it is with old friends, new friends, or family. In any situation, we must exercise caution and help children learn how to keep themselves safe.

In case you need reminders, here are a few tips to help you and your children have a safe and happy summer.

Summer camps:  If your child is going to summer camp, be sure to check out the organization or business that is running the camp. If it is not a well-known, national entity, you may want to seek references. The Better Business Bureau or the state’s attorney’s office may have information about the organization or business that could be helpful. You want to be sure that the money you pay for your child’s experience is to a reputable company and that the services offered will in fact be delivered.

Nearly every camp hires individuals to help run programs during the summer. Ask how they screen those that are hired. To what extent are background checks conducted? What type of training does camp staff undergo prior to children arriving? 

In a sleep-away camp, what safety measures exist to keep campers and staff safe from intruders or other emergencies? 

Traveling: If visiting relatives or friends away from home, what are the activities that the child will be engaged in?  Are other children in the area and what are their ages?  One summer, two of my nieces came to visit with me and I enrolled them in the local community recreation center for their age group. The girls were thrilled to be able to walk to the center on their own, but they had to take a specific route that I walked with them. One route would have taken them along the commuter rail tracks, and I knew I wanted them to avoid any temptation or opportunity for doing something their curious minds might lead them to.  So when they followed the other route to the center, I knew they had a much better chance of staying out of harm’s way.

Internet: Talk with your child about Internet activity. If there are limitations at home, those same limitations should be observed when visiting someone else’s home or at camp.  Kids who bully and Internet predators do not take a holiday.

Outings: Wherever kids go they should always use a buddy system.  Each one looks after the other.  Most kids love going to the amusement park or to concerts during the summer.  Talk with the children about staying together. Discuss what they should do if they become separated.  They should plan a place to meet as soon as they arrive. For instance, even as an adult, when I go with friends to a crowded event, we pinpoint a spot where we will meet if we get separated, such as, go back to the last place where we were together or meet at the Security or Information Booth.  Re-connecting with lost buddies might be easier for those with cell phones. 

When I was growing up, we didn’t have the convenience of cell phones, but we did have each other to look after. My brothers and I, along with the other kids in the neighborhood, spent each and every day outside (after our chores were done, of course) and at the local park. We all had strict rules about where we could or could not go, and parents acted collectively in monitoring the safety of all the children in our neighborhood. We never strayed very far from our neighborhood and we always stayed together. The only time there was injury was running bases in softball or spraining a knuckle in tetherball. The only “crime” was our own sports injuries.  

Have a great summer and be safe.

This Valentine’s Day Share the Love, Not Your Information

Like most holidays, Valentine’s Day has extended to the web.  With the click of a button, you can deliver flowers and candy, make reservations at a romantic restaurant, or search for that special someone through an online dating service.

The Internet today has become an invaluable resource in both our personal and professional lives.  However, as technology advances, so do the techniques cybercriminals use to gain access to our computer networks and personal information. If each of us becomes more aware of cybersecurity risks and implements a few simple steps, we can all make a big difference.

Below find tips from the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) on how to protect your personal information online.

• Be careful supplying personal information - Unless you trust a site, don't give your address, passwords, or financial information. Look for indications that the site uses SSL to encrypt your information (such as the ‘s’ in ‘https’).
• Limit cookies - To make sure that other sites are not collecting personal information about you without your knowledge, choose to only allow cookies for the web site you are visiting and block or limit cookies from a third-party. If you are using a public computer, you should make sure that cookies are disabled.
• Do not use your primary email address in online submissions - Submitting your email address could result in spam. If you do not want your primary email account flooded with unwanted messages, consider opening an additional email account for use online.
• Avoid using debit cards for online purchases - Credit cards usually offer some protection against identity theft and may limit the monetary amount you will be responsible for paying.
• Devote one credit card to online purchases - Consider opening a credit card account for use only online. Keep a minimum credit line on the account to limit the amount of charges an attacker can accumulate.

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and we are all called on to ACT or Achieve Cybersecurity Together. For more information, please visit www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect.

Posted by the Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign

Cover Up! Protect Your Privacy on Data Privacy Day

We divulge a lot of personal information online. If not publicly and intentionally via social media and cell apps, we do so inadvertently through online shopping and banking, emailing, and even just by browsing through the latest cute videos or pictures.  And we browse on more than our computers.  Nowadays we can disseminate all our personal information instantly from our phones and tablets.  If you’re not careful, the results can be devastating.

In 2010, 8.6 million households in the U.S. had at least one member age 12 or older who experienced one or more types of identity theft, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.  In October 2012, in South Carolina alone, 3.6 million social security numbers were hacked.   And in recent years we’ve heard too many tragic stories of school-aged children taking their own lives because of cyberbullying that took place online and with cell phones.

To encourage people to take responsibility for protecting their own privacy and data online, the National Cyber Security Alliance and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Stop.Think.Connect. campaign started Data Privacy Day in 2008, which is observed in the U.S and Canada.  January 28, Data Privacy Day, commemorates the 1981 signing of Convention 108 – the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection.

The National Crime Prevention Council is a national partner of the Stop.Think.Connect. campaign, which reminds Americans that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. The national public awareness campaign is aimed at increasing the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online. The NCPC recommends individuals review its Mind What You Do Online booklet from its website, review privacy settings for your computer, cell, and tablet applications, and check out the Stop.Think.Connect. Quick Tips page for incident response and reporting tips.

A few basic tips include

• Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats.
• Unique account, unique password: Separate passwords for every account helps to thwart cybercriminals.
• Protect your money: When banking and shopping, ensure the site is security enabled. Look for web addresses with “https://” or “shttp://”, which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information.
• Back it up: Protect your valuable work, music, photos, and other digital information by making an electronic copy and storing it safely.
• Post only about others as you have them post about you: Post messages that do not include threats; insults; offensive, name-calling; teasing; or language that excludes individuals or groups.

Cyberbullying Prevention Tips Just a Click Away During Cybersafety Awareness Week

There is definitely tons of information available online and is just a click away for so many online users today, specifically for teens and young adults.  CyberSafety Awareness week brings forth a time to reinforce the detriment and serious impact that lurks behind the computer screens for numerous teens that fall victim to cyberbullying.  Cyberbullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teens.  The American Academy of Pediatrics calls cyberbullying the “most common online risk for all teens.”

Today, countless youth are literally fighting to endure the cruel and harsh words that class mates express from their own computers and with the use of online games.

Cyberbullies can be classmates, online acquaintances, and even anonymous users, but most often they actually know their victims.

Whether you’ve been a victim of cyberbullying, know someone who has been cyberbullied, or have even cyberbullied yourself, there are effective steps youth can take to stop cyberbullying and stay cyber-safe.

How Can I Prevent Cyberbullying?

• Refuse to pass along cyberbullying messages
• Tell friends to stop cyberbullying
• Block communication with cyberbullies
• Report cyberbullying to a trusted adult

You can also help prevent cyberbullying by:

• Speaking with other students, as well as teachers and school administrators, to develop rules against cyberbullying
• Raising awareness of the cyberbullying problem in your community by holding an assembly and creating fliers to give to younger kids or parents
• Sharing NCPC’s anti-cyberbullying message with friends

Don’t forget that even though you can’t see a cyberbully or the bully’s victim, cyberbullying can cause long-lasting effects to its victim and unfortunately in some cases, trigger acts of suicide. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online. Delete cyberbullying. Don’t write it. Don’t forward it.

Find the latest information on the NCPC cyberbullying campaign; it’s just a click away http://www.ncpc.org/topics/cyberbullying