Help stop/slow down online password & identity theft.

ohbaby

By now most of are aware of the password/username theft schemes targeting ebay, paypal, citibank, etc. users. However, I am asked almost weekly by friends or coworkers if they have been had and what to do after they have been scammed. People are still falling for these schemes and they are getting better all the time. I must get some kind of scam email daily!

About a month ago I heard on the radio a fellow from some government agency advising to fill in all such fake website data requests with FAKE information which could be real. Use made up names, addresses, CC ##, etc. This will flood the scammers with too much info and they won't be able to tell the real data from the fake.

This may not stop them but sure can slow them down until they find another scheme.

TWQG

I would recommend against clicking on any links within an email.

Theop

The problem with filling in fake data is that when you click on a link in an email, you are confirming your valid email address which will just get you more spam.

Also, by clicking on a link, you are transmitting your IP address to the web server you are getting the page from. This could further make you a target.

I recommend just taking the time it would take filling out fake information and looking at your coins.

Gonfunko

I usually use fake information for real forms anyway. It always cracks me up when I say I was born in 1196 and it lets me register! Partly I do this because of that evil law that states that if you're under 13 you can't do anything on the Internet, so I always have to backdate a few years, but I just prefer to stay semi-anonymous. While clicking on links can be dangerous, it shouldn't be if you have a good anti-virus program, and although it does confirm your email is active, I block anyone who spams me anyway. IP address can be a problem no matter what though, but I think most of the scammers aren't after them anyway and don't really care.

KlectorKid

Anti-viruse software doesnt stop everything. Hackers get better and better everyday. Some of those fake e-bay pages contain viruses that watch your key strokes. You might put in made up data into the fake page but later that day when you log onto ebay or paypal they will have the real stuff. Or your computer could also be used to help them send more spam. I wouldnt recommend clicking on any links in spam e-mail.

relayer

It is very easy for a web page to install a trojan program that will record your keystrokes and send them off.

Plenty of accounts and passwords to collect that way without your knowledge, but you do need to pay a visit to their site first to get it installed.