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.

Top Things That Computer Users Should Fear in 2010

Can the Internet be a scary place? Yes, and it may be an even more dangerous place this year, according to this MSNBC story.
The daunting story makes predictions including:

1. Anti-virus products will have more difficulty screening out viruses
2. Increased buying of fake anti-virus software
3. Social networking sites will continue to be platforms for impersonation/identity theft
4. Spam numbers will keep climbing
   

Even though this may not be the most uplifting news, it’s important that the Internet always be treated as a powerful communication tool of seemingly endless possibilities - both positive and negative.

Caution is always the key to safe surfing. If something seems suspicious, avoid it and take precautions to safeguard all your confidential information, both online and during in person interactions.

It’s one thing to hope that these predictions don’t come true; it’s quite another to ignore the warnings and not take steps to protect your identity and leave the door wide open for cyber criminals.

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Written by Stacy Whelchel, 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.