Phishing–Are You Being Baited?

Provided By KW Blog
Published By Cary Sylvester

One of the unfortunate downsides of the information age are less than desirable organizations that perform malicious acts and put your identity at risk.

Phishing scams are just that – illegal organizations “fishing” for personal information about you in order to commit identity theft. A fraudulent, yet very official looking, email is sent requesting the recipient to verify some bit of information about themselves. This information can be banking account numbers, social security numbers or username/passwords. If collected, this information, is then used for identity theft by compromising your account.

It is important to always remember to treat any username and password as personal information that could be used to commit identity theft, including your email username and passwords!

A few typical indicators the email you received is NOT legitimate:

1.Indicates your account has been compromised

2.The use of odd spacing in the subject line. I.E.: “Your Account: has been Compromised”

3.Indicates your account will be closed soon without confirmation from you

4.Some piece of information needs to be verified – your credit card number, username and password, etc

So, what can you do if you think you have been scammed:

1.Never reply to emails asking for personal information. No legitimate business will ever contact you this way if your account has been compromised. Ever.

2.Only divulge personal information when you initiate the service call.

3.If you wish to verify if the email is legitimate, call or email the company’s customer service center directly. If you are a Keller Williams associate, you would contact KW Support at support@kw.com.

4.If you have responded to an email you now think is a phishing scam, contact the customer service department of the account you believe is now compromised IMMEDIATELY.

5.To report scams in the US:

If you believe you’ve been scammed, file your complaint at http://www.ftc.gov/

If you receive spam that is phishing for information, forward it to spam@uce.gov

6.To report scams in Canada: file a complaint with http://www.recol.ca/

According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, in May 2008 alone, 32,414 phishing Web sites were operational. Remember, be safe on the internet and keep your personal information private! Teach yourself to spot these indicators I listed above and first and foremost, take the time to find out before clicking on anything to provide your information.

KWU’s new SOCIAL NETWORKING CLASS!

Provided By Amber Boyd
Source Donna Watchous

Keller Williams Leadership:

The Spotlight on Social Media Class with Michael Tritthart is arriving in the NTXNMM Region on May 4th, 2010. Please get this out to all your agents so they can get registered through their MCA!

Spotlight on Social Media with Michael Tritthart
May 4, 2010
9:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Westin Park Central Dallas Hotel
12720 Merit Drive (SW Corner of Hwy 75 & 635)
Dallas, TX 75251
Cost: $99.00
RSVP through your Market Center Administrator
Who to attend: All Agents
We have complimentary parking at the parking garage across from the hotel (see parking map below).

General Directions to The Westin Park Central Dallas Hotel

From East

Take I-635 West and exit Coit Road. Turn left onto Coit Road. Continue to the 2nd light and turn right onto Banner. The hotel is located on the right.

From Dallas Ft. Worth International Airport

Take the North Airport Exit to Interstate 635 East. Proceed approximately 17 miles. Take the Coit Road Exit, turn right onto Merit, and the hotel will be on the left.

From North

Take 75 South and exit Midpark Road. Follow the service road until you reach Coit Road. Turn left onto Coit Road and go through the 2nd light. Turn right onto Banner, and the hotel is on the right.

From South

Take 75 North and exit Coit Road. At the third stoplight, turn left onto Banner. Continue 1 block to Merit, turn right, and the hotel will be on the right.