Cybercrime

Fraud, embezzlement, harassment, identity theft, and stalking are all crimes that can be committed via the Internet. Since there is an abundance of information about people available online, it does not take a seasoned criminal long to use this information to their advantage. Even with only basic information, the bandit can engage in “social engineering” where he contacts co-workers, friends, and family members to learn more about an individual. In a very short time period, the criminal has access to all the necessary information he or she needs to commit a crime.

Be very careful when giving out personal information. Make sure your passwords have no relation to you and are a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, so that they are difficult for criminals to crack. Frequently change you password. Never give it out to others or write it down. Also, be sure to use different passwords for separate accounts.

Women may not want to use a name which identifies them as a female. Instead, it is best to stick to gender-neutral usernames.

See what information already exists about you on the web by searching for your name. Request that entries about you with too much information be deleted. For example, a P.O. Box can be substituted for a physical address.

Make sure the environment is secure before giving out credit card numbers. Most secure web pages will begin with “https” instead of “http”. Merchants generally should not ask for a Social Security number or mother’s maiden name. If they do, that very well could be a scam.

Contact Us

If you have been a victim of cybercrime, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Waukesha personal injury lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier at 800-242-2874 to learn more about your legal options and the laws surrounding cybercrime.