Online Sites Offer Connections That May Not Be Sweetheart Deals

I wanted to share a great article with our readers. Stacy has written for our blog in the past and is writing this on behalf of www.pplmediaroom.com.

Thanks,

Michael MCCoy

By Stacy Whelchel

Online sites offer connections Happy Valentines Day! In recognition of this day celebrating sweethearts, we are subject to not only numerous ads promoting the “perfect” gift for loved ones, but also online websites which offer services designed to find that special someone. However, profiles posted on single or dating sites are not always who or what they claim to be, says the Better Business Bureau.

The Bureau reported that oversea scammers are preying on consumers who seek connections through online venues. Thousands of victims have been tricked each year at a cost of millions of dollars.

The con artists use websites where they create fake profiles and use kind words to gain victims’ trust. The targets might even receive flowers and gifts, most likely bought using stolen credit cards. Unfortunately, since these criminals are overseas, it is more difficult to investigate and prosecute, according to the BBB.

The BBB says to avoid online relationships with those who:

* Only communicate through email, instant message and cell phone
* Are charming, understanding, flattering, sensitive, have a caring personality
* Have a career or life circumstances that takes him or her overseas
* Is quick to develop a relationship and talk about love
* Have a young child, typically a boy or girl between the ages of 5 to 12
* Have a sudden emergency, often involving a child's health
* Have a reason he or she cannot get money and need your financial help
* If you help them, they ask for more money

Caution is always advised when sharing any type of confidential data, especially with those sight unseen. If identity theft is a threat because of breached information, Pre-Paid Legal’s Identity Theft ShieldSM and its team of restoration experts will be there for you.

Is Your Future Clouded?

By Aleshia Altizer

Do you use web-based email like Gmail, enjoy online banking/bill paying, or use an online file storage device? If so, you’re already taking advantage of cloud computing. There are differing definitions, but basically, “cloud” is another word for the internet; and cloud computing is where data or software is stored, accessed or shared via the cloud. In other words, instead of having physical access to a computer or hard drive, data can be stored remotely on computer servers and accessed through providers. This enables users to access their data from anywhere and from any net-enabled device. An article from MSN cites a report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project that found 69% of online Americans use at least one cloud service. A Forbes article cites a statistic from Cisco that 1 trillion devices are expected to be connected to the cloud by 2013. Just imagine how much information could eventually be stored in the cloud! This could also open a whole new realm of privacy concerns; and Forbes.com points out that there aren’t standards for security in the cloud, yet.

Cloud computing has big possibilities for companies, as well. A New York Times article explains that cloud providers hope companies will stop building and managing their own data centers, and instead use the provider’s computer capacity. According to the article, though many companies are still cautious about entrusting data to the cloud, many including NASA have begun to utilize cloud technology to some degree.

This is the digital age and we’re charting a whole new frontier: With it comes increasing concerns over privacy, cybercrime, and identity theft. In light of all this, it’s important to have an identity theft service in place along with access to legal counsel so you can understand and stay on top of new and existing laws and know how they apply to you. It’s clear in times like these the need for legal and identity theft services is only growing.

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Aleshia Altizer is a Corporate Writer at Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. Pre-Paid Legal's signature products, including the Life Events Legal Plan and Identity Theft Shield, serve more than 1.5 million families in North America.

FTC Extends Enforcement Deadline for Identity Theft Red Flags Rule

FTC Reports -

At the request of Members of Congress, the Federal Trade Commission is delaying enforcement of the “Red Flags” Rule until June 1, 2010, for financial institutions and creditors subject to enforcement by the FTC.

On October 30, 2009, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the FTC may not apply the Red Flags Rule to attorneys. Today’s announcement that the Commission will delay enforcement of the Rule until June 1, 2010, does not affect the separate timeline of that proceeding and any possible appeals. Nor does it affect other federal agencies’ ongoing enforcement for financial institutions and creditors subject to their oversight.

See FTC Entire Statement at: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/redflags.shtm

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