AP9 PrivacyMatters Offers Consumers Tips to Defend against the Threats of Phishing Email Scams
AP9 PrivacyMatters Offers Members Discounted Rates on Computer Safeguards, Credit Monitoring and Other Personal Protections
Stamford, CT (PRWEB) May 25, 2005 -- In light of reports that the recent rash
of thefts of personal and financial records has led the way to an advanced form
of “phishing,” members of AP9
PrivacyMatters, a leading security and privacy membership program offered by
Adaptive Marketing LLC, are making a point of accessing their benefits for
increased identity security and peace of mind.
AP9 PrivacyMatters
benefits, accessible around the clock via DealPass.com, provide consumers with
safeguards to defend themselves against threats to their personal information.
One such threat, “phishing,” uses legitimate-looking emails to ask recipients to
“update,” “confirm” or “validate” their records. When a recipient clicks on an
emailed link, a browser page pops up that mimics the website of a specific bank
or other institution. When the recipient enters personal information into the
site, the ID thief has access to the recipient’s accounts and information. The
recent slew of personal data thefts has allowed phishers to use accurate account
information from individuals to “request” even more personal information, such
as Social Security numbers, ATM PINs, credit card CVD codes and more.
AP9 PrivacyMatters offers the following tips to help you guard
against phishing scams:
- Don’t reply to or click a link in an email (or
pop-up message) that asks for personal or financial information. Legitimate
companies don’t ask for this information via email.
- Don’t email personal or
financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal
information. If you need to provide personal or financial information on a
website, make sure the site is secure; look for a lock icon on the browser’s
status bar or a website URL that begins “https:” (the “s” stands for “secure”).
Beware, though: phishers can forge security icons.
- Check credit card and
bank account statements immediately for unauthorized charges. If your statement
is over two days late, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your
billing address and account balances.
- Install state-of-the-art anti-virus
software. Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or
track your Internet activities without your knowledge. Firewalls and anti-virus
software can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files.
-
Be cautious about opening or downloading anything from emails you receive,
regardless of who sent them.
AP9 PrivacyMatters members can log on to
their members-only website at DealPass for immediate access to a wide range of benefits,
including anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, designed to protect their
personal information, credit ratings, assets, property and more.
About
AP9 PrivacyMatters
AP9 Privacy Matters is a leading security and privacy
membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC. Headquartered in Stamford,
Conn., Adaptive Marketing is a category leader in both membership and loyalty
programs, bringing value direct to consumers through an array of benefits in
healthcare, discounts, security, personal property and personals. Members may
access their benefits at DealPass.com, an online portal for Adaptive Marketing
membership programs. With broad online and offline distribution capabilities,
Adaptive Marketing offers its corporate client partners effective tools to
enhance market presence, strengthen customer affinity and generate additional
value through programs, such as AP9 Privacy Matters.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb243891.htm