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It's been a busy week for me, between work, home, two sick children and the upcoming summer break from school for my older children. But what made it even more busy was the need for more vigilance as my Facebook, Twitter and email accounts came under attack of phishing schemes and scams. Find out how my week went and scams you should know about if you use these social networking sites.

Here on Identitytheftsecrets.com we have talked before about the safety of social networking sites and provided some tips on using your social networking sites safely.

(
Is it Really MySpace ; Don't Play Games with Your Identity , and
What You Can Get Besides a Job by Posting Your Resume On Line )

This was my week once again, to be under attack from a variety of sources, including my Facebook account.
My week starts out like many others. On Sunday I stop by Facebook to find a message from a friend. The message said simply, tinyurl(dot)com/insert combination of numbers and letters here. Knowing this friend is a busy mother of 4 children, I thought she may have simply sent a link but, being the suspicious sort (look at the site I write for how could I not be?) I opened a separate window and hand typed in the URL address shown.

Tinyurl.com is a site that many people use to shorten a long URL (internet address) into a short one. You can use them on blogs, in email, and in newsletters (or on Twitter since you only get 140 characters) to post a site address.
There are good reasons to use Tinyurl, but they also help to hide a phishing scam that much better.

The page that appears from her suggested link is a Facebook sign in page, like that which you get when you type your password in wrong. But before I decide to include my email address and password, I think, "You know the color and placement is just a little off, and why should I type in my sign in information again to access a page that I am already in?" Looking even more closely I realize that the page is just not "quite right." Close but not exactly the same. I send a message to all the people who got this link invitation and state I suspect it to be a phishing scam and guess what, it was! The person whose account it came from later sent out a message that she didn't send it. It was reported to Facebook, but it makes you wonder how many people got their addresses and passwords hi-jacked before it was noticed that it was a scam. I know of at least three who sent a message out saying, "I did this it didn't work." It's unfortunate, and I recommended the notify Facebook and change their password immediately.

A similar instance happened a few weeks ago to my nephew's Facebook account. Luckily being online almost all the time he noticed his phantom message and sent another out saying his account was hijacked and to ignore any messages from him.

Next I am reading a recent article about Twitter, one of the newest crazes out there for social networking. In this article Tweeters (those who use Twitter) should beware of an email harvesting scam taking place on Twitter. Apparently many people actually do post their email in a message or on their "homepage" and after doing the search myself I was easily able to harvest many email addresses. Good thing I am not a scam artist, identity theft or phishing scam.

My week rolls on, and I receive several spam messages in my private email. I am actually very disappointed that these messages got through the MSN spam filter. Up until today I thought they were doing a very good job of catching scams and hoaxes. But several spam emails in one day were able to get through the filter. One asked me to help someone in China. Another pretended to be a charity needing donations. A third was another lottery scam, a version of the Nigerian Lottery scam. Now this is my personal email address, used only for friends and family, not business or even junk mail use. But yet, somehow the address has gotten out. Report, delete, report, delete. Time wasted but at least I knew what they were.

How can you protect yourself from these scams? As one friend on Facebook told me today, "I wish I had paid more attention to your articles, you knew right away it was a scam." She will be reading more often I am sure. Knowledge is essential, and when you next see an article in the news about these scams take a minute to learn about it. Hopefully our reporting from both personal and professional experience will keep you informed also of the latest and not so great Internet, social networking and email scams, hoaxes and phishing schemes.

Other tips: use a unique password for your social networking, email and other Internet sites, set up a fake email address for "junk mail" and be sure to exercise caution before simply clicking a link inside any message to you.

CourtRecords.org is used and endorsed by private investigators. You can do your own private investigation today right at your own computer.

You need information and you'd like it today. No, you don't want the expense or hassle of hiring a private investigator or spending a day searching through courthouse records. I'll bet you'd like your search to be confidential too. Most people do.

In some ways the internet has made it easier to access information on people but you need to know that you're getting information on the right person. You also want to know that the information is reliable and complete. Half the story isn't enough when you're trying to protect your children, your aging parents or your business.

CourtRecords.org can help and they can help today. In just minutes you can access a database of both private and public records and print out the reports you need. No one even has to know you searched.

People have many reasons for needing to research people who've showed up in their neighborhoods or community groups. CourtRecords.org may be legally used for the following reasons:

*Fraud prevention
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If you've got nagging questions you can get answers today at CourtRecords.org where you can find the following:

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CourtRecords.org does NOT disclose social security numbers but can only verify accuracy.

At CourtRecords.org all transactions are ONE-TIME only. You can choose Premium - Unlimited Criminal Searches for 1 Month for only $39.95. A Basic - One Time Criminal Report is $19.95 or you can add Unlimited People Search and Reports for $9.95. The 100% guarantee and No-Hit No-Charge Policy guarantees that if your query offers no results, you will not be charged.

CourtRecords.org is the most reliable and comprehensive records search site. CourtRecords.org:

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New people are entering our lives all the time including coaches, counselors, new neighbors, on line friends, on line dating service matches, potential business associates and so on. When you need to know more and you want to know now, CourtRecords.org is the fastest and easiest answer to all of your questions.

So what are you waiting for? CourtRecords.org is used and endorsed by private investigators. You can do your own private investigation today right at your own computer. You can have all the records you need for peace of mind or protection in your hands in minutes. CourtRecords.org is the one stop shop for court records and more.

It sounds like some kind of high-tech cyber stuff right out of Ocean's Eleven except it's very real. Tracking, eavesdropping, viewing text messages are all possible with versions of cell phone spy ware that make identity theft as well as cyber stalking possible.

It sounds like some kind of high-tech cyber stuff right out of Ocean's Eleven except it's very real. Tracking, eavesdropping, viewing text messages are all possible with versions of cell phone spy ware that make identity theft as well as cyber stalking possible.

According to Rick Mislan, former military intelligence officer and current cyber forensics teacher at Purdue University's Department of Computer and Information technology, "It's real, and it is pretty scary." Mislan says, "I think a lot of people think their cell phone calls are very secure but our privacy isn't always what we think it is."

It happened to Heather and Courtney Kuykendall who told NBC's Today Show that stalkers were "listening to us and recording us," and "we know that because they will record us and play it back as a voicemail." The Kuykendalls are featured on a YouTube video of a channel 13 WTHR investigative report by Bob Segall. The Kuykendalls, from Tacoma, Washington, were not only spied on and tracked but Courtney, a teenager, was harassed and threatened by an unknown caller for four months. Even after the family changed cell phones the calls continued. Once the FBI was brought in, the cyber stalking stopped but the stalker was never identified.

How does cell phone tapping work?

Cell phone spyware is marketed on the web by sites offering the latest spy technology and tempting customers with idea of catching a cheating spouse, listening in on a boss or coworker or even spying on a babysitter. Web sites claim that you can spy without anyone ever knowing. Most of these services are offered from Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom and vendors charge anywhere from $60.00 to $3,000.

Are cell phone tapping programs legal?

No. Using these programs without permission is illegal. That doesn't mean it isn't happening and a lot more often than most of us ever knew.

"These are gross violations of the federal and state laws," said Joe Farren, a spokesperson for CITA-The Wireless Association, an industry organization representing the nation's major cell phone manufacturers. Farren adds, "It's very clear, without their express permission, you can't listen in to someone's phone calls, you cannot read their text messages, you can't track their movements. You can't do any of those things and there are numerous laws being broken."

Reporter Tests Out the Cell Spyware

Reporter Bob Segall use a cell phone spyware program on a producer's cell phone, with her permission. He admitted that downloading the spyware took several attempts and some patience but once it was up it worked just as the vendor as promised. This demonstration reveals what can happen when your cell phone is tapped:

Segall could her hear her phone conversations that she was having her home on his own cell phone from outside of her house. He also received constant satellite updates on her location and he could read all of her text messages. Unbelievably Segall could hear her conversation from four miles away when her cell phone was in the room, even though the cell phone was not turned on.

Can You Tell if Your Cell Phone has been Tapped?

You may very well never know but here are signs to look for:

- If your cell phone battery is warm even when your phone has not been in use.
- If your cell phone lights up at unexpected times, especially if the phone is not even in use.
- If you hear unexpected beeps or clicks during phone conversations.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

-Keep a close eye on your cell phone (don't leave it in an unlocked gym locker) so that no one has an opportunity to download information such as spyware
-Install and use a security password on your phone
-Take the battery out of the phone when not in use
-Only use new, prepaid cell phones for especially sensitive information

Be aware that high-end cell phones that allow for internet or online access are the most vulnerable.

Think that no one would be interested in boring phone cell phone conversations? Consider these questions. Have you ever called your bank and given your social security or credit card or debit card numbers over the phone? Have you ever called a catalog company and placed an order using your debit or credit card? Have you ever called your doctor's office and been asked for your date of birth? These cell phone spyware programs make identity theft, as well as a host of crimes easy to commit and difficult and to trace.

http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=9346833

If you can't trust your government who can you trust? Find out about this settlement and if you or someone you know is entitled to any part of it.

This story was first brought to you in "Veteran's What You Should Know About Identity Theft." Find out how it was resolved.

The Incident:

On May 3, 2006 computer equipment was stolen from the Virginia home of an employee of the Department of Veteran's Affairs. The Federal Bureau of Investigation recovered the computer equipment on June 28, 2006.

The Risk:

The information on the stolen Department of Veteran's Affairs employee's computer included personal information for veteran's, spouses of veteran's and military employees including:
-Names
-Social security numbers
-Dates of birth
-Disability ratings for some individuals

Reportedly there were no health records or financial records included.

The Rub:

When the FBI recovered the stolen computer, the review of the computer equipment showed that the data had not been assessed. Of course this assurance would not be enough for some individuals who were rightly concerned about the risk of identity theft.

The Court Findings:

The Defendants in this case include the United States Department of Veteran's Affairs, the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary and the involved employee of the Department of Veteran's Affairs.

The court did not find for the Defendants or the Plaintiffs in the case. Instead both agreed to a settlement to resolve the case and provide payments to those directly affected. Legal notices advise that the settlement does not mean that any law was broken and the Defendants deny call claims of wrongdoing in this case..

Well, don't we all feel better knowing that it is really O.K. for government employees to take home our personal information on a computer and then not even protect the computer from theft?

Who's Entitled?

A $20 million settlement fund has been established for anny veteran, spouse of a veteran or military employee who had actual damages between May 3, 2006 and February 11, 2009 that were directly related to the computer theft.

Actual damages may include:

-Out of pocket expenses incurred as a direct result of the theft
-Money used to protect or monitor financial information
-Physical symptoms of severe emotional stress
-Purchases of credit monitoring to prevent identity theft

The minimum payment for each valid claim is $75.00 and the maximum payment will be up to $1,500.00 per member as long as fees remain. If there are remaining funds after all fees and claims have been paid, the monies will be donated to the Fisher House Foundation and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

Claim forms must be accessed at www.VeteransClass..com or 1-888-288-9625 and filed by November 27, 2009.

Of course even if you are qualified to be part of this settlement but you do not wish to agree to the terms of this settlement you must exclude yourself no later than June 29, 2009 and the court will hold a hearing on this case on July 28, 2009.

Readers we'd love to know what you think about this story!

A government employee takes home your personal information, it is stolen and the government agency claims no wrongdoing. How do you feel about these situations and being put at risk for identity theft? What would you have done? Would you accept this class action settlement or no? We'd love to hear your reaction.

We first brought you Former Wells Fargo Employee Arrested: An identity theft ring leader or Victim -- a few weeks ago. Find out what has happened since then to this grandmother and former Vice President for Wells Fargo.

When we first reported on "Former Wells Fargo Employee Arrested: An identity theft ring leader or Victim" it was uncertain how her case was going to turn out. What she really an identity theft victim? Or an accomplished scam artist stealing from the bank she once used to work for.

In this video you can hear from her as well as Wells Fargo and the Police Department that arrested her. What has happened? After 2 years of legal battles and over $50,000.00 in expenses trying to clear her name, charges against Margo Somerville have been dropped. That's the good news. The bad news is that the District Attorney's office dismissed the charges based on a "lack of evidence." See for yourself what evidence they had against her and if it convinces you.

Margot Somerville did everything right. She didn't carry her Social Security Number with her. She reported her cards stolen, as well as her purse. But this still happened to her - a respected member of her community, a former bank president and grandmother. Not only do we need better protection from identity theft, but we need a better understanding of the harm that identity theft does to its victims by law enforcement officials and law makers.

This is not the first case, what about "Identity Theft Lands Pregnant Woman In Jail: An Identity Theft Tragedy" and "But Officer, I'm A Victim of Identity Theft"

Share with us your stories. Have you experienced being a victim and the accused? What do you think can be done to protect victims of identity theft crime?

Need to do a background check? Need it now? InstantBackgroundReport.com is the answer.

Few us today live our lives on the same street or have the same job for decades. Statistically you may move, change jobs and or even change churches at least four times in your adult life. Sure, change can be good. But there are some disadvantages as well to living in such a transient society. While meeting new people can be fun and exciting, it can also be scary.. We're not as likely as our grandparents were to know all of our neighbors going back three generations. It's completely normal to have some questions about the people entering your neighborhood, your little league, your youth group or your aging parents care circle.

But what can you do about your suspicions? You don't exactly want to be known as a noisy neighbor or a troublemaker. You also don't have tons of extra cash for hiring a private eye and you certainly don't have time for searching courthouse records.

InstantBackgroundReport is the answer. It's instant. It's easy. It's completely private. It's reliable. If you have questions, Instant Background Report is so worth it. They have billions of answers. You just sit at home or at a computer, enter a bit of information and instantly get printable answers.

It's true that some locales offer free access to criminal records on-line but that only works if the person has lived all their life in one area or else you have a life long list of addresses. With Instant Background Report you can start with a first and last name and a state and access records nation wide. A middle initial and approximate age is helpful too but with InstantBackgroundReport.com you'll always get a list of possible matches so you can choose the right match.

Steve knew that his aging mother needed help and company but who could be trust?

Even though it was through her church, this was Tina's daughter's first spend the night. Was there anything she should know?

Mark's son had Down's syndrome. He wanted to be extra careful. Could he trust the people that would be around his son this summer?

All of these people had good questions and InstantBackgroundReport.com had helpful answers. This is among the the fastest background report options of all the ones we've tested. You can find:

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At InstantBackgroundReport all transactions are ONE-TIME only. You can choose Premium - Unlimited Criminal Searches for 1 Month for only $39.95. A Basic - One Time Criminal Report is $19.95 or you can add Unlimited People Search and Reports for $9.95. The 100% guarantee and No-Hit No-Charge Policy guarantees that if your query yields no result, you will not be charged.

A Few Facts about InstantBackgroundReport.com:

• Over 15,000 visitors each month
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* Public records on file: 1,247,528,873
* Database photographs on file: 1,592,733

No courthouse records searches, no hiring private investigators, no embarrassing "noisy" neighbor questions and no frustrating on-line searches that leave you wondering what you've missed. You can replace those nagging questions with answers today from InstantBackgroundReport.com. It's easy and it's private.

Medical identity theft normally occurs so that people can obtain medical care that is needed or prescription drugs but what about these women so desperate for plastic surgery they resort to credit card fraud and identity theft?

While some may shudder at the thought of elective surgery, many would jump on the table at a chance if only someone else would pay for it. In a new twist of identity theft, some women have found a way to make that happen. We've reported before on the increase of medical identity theft that threatens to botch your accurate medical history and ruin your credit but most cases of identity theft have been committed to obtain prescription drugs, needed or at least perceived medical care or money from fraudulent insurance claims. Have you checked your medical history lately? How about your bank account statements? Does either show that you've had or paid for a tummy tuck or other cosmetic surgery that you certainly haven't benefited from?

Patrice Thomas of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida went to extreme measures to give herself an extreme makeover. She was arrested on April 9 and is charged with identity theft and fraud after paying for $14,000 worth of cosmetic surgery using stolen credit.

Last August the defendant applied for a credit card on line using another woman's stolen identity. After receiving the credit card, Thomas obtained a photo i.d. card at a passport shop with the other woman's identity. She used the photo i.d. and first credit card to pay an initial $9,000 towards cosmetic surgery including a tummy tuck procedure at Weston Cosmetic Surgery Center. She then charged the remaining $4,000 on another credit card that prosecutors claim was also fraudulently obtained.

Records show that Dr. Charles Messa removed excess skin and fat from Thomas' abdomen on November 2.

How was the Tummy Tuck Identity Thief caught?

Federal agents discovered four credit cards carrying different names during a search of Thomas' home in an unrelated case. The tummy tuck apparently wasn't her first theft.. Thomas has a prior record for grand theft, drug possession and using false identification.

This tummy tuck fiend is currently tucked away in Miami's Federal Detention Center on $100,000 bond. If convicted Thomas could get up to four years in prison.

Sound familiar? It's actually happened before.

Last year a California woman used another woman's identity to get not only a tummy tuck and liposuction but also a breast lift. The cosmetic surgery was scheduled last February but Londie Bowman only had $12,000 of the $20,000 needed to cover her body makeover. The thirty two year old presented a debit card to pay the balance and when the transaction was declined, she called a bank supervisor who approved the transaction over the phone for a Plastic Surgery Specialist worker. Bowman almost got away with it.

Plastic Surgery Specialists sent a get well recovery bouquet to the patient's Martinez address but it was received by Maija Lamberts who said that her purse, along with her bank cards had been stolen several months earlier.

The identity theft trail may have gone cold there but Bowman called back for a follow up because her navel was itching. Police were waiting when Bowman arrived for check up and she arrested and received a nine-month sentence.

Eva Bennett, the deputy public defender in the case said "I'm shocked that for this kind of nonviolent crime that Ms. Bowman got this kind of time at the district attorney's insistence." Her client could have actually gotten a sentence of up to four years in jail.

We have to wonder if the newly implemented procedures stemming from the Red Flag rules would have sent up red flags in either of these cases to protect the victim's from identity theft.