GIFT CARDS- Beware of Tampered Gift Cards

Gift cards have become a great way to give to others without the hassle or embarrassment of giving something that the recipient really cannot use or really doesn’t want. However, fraudsters have a way to steal from you with a gift card that you have purchased. And the only way you know something is wrong is when your beneficiary complains to you that there was no money on the gift card that you gave them.

Here is how the scam works. A crook will either jot down or swipe the account number of the card in the store. Then, over the few days or weeks, the crook can check the number over the phone to see if the card has been activated. When the card is activated the crook quickly goes on a shopping spree.

To discourage this type of activity, vendors have tried to design packaging that makes it difficult to tamper with the card. However, sometimes crooks do lift the information from the card anyway.

Here are some things you can do to reduce your risk of having a gift card amount stolen,

·         Take a card from the middle of the rack. Often card scammers will copy numbers from the front or the edges. After all, they do not want to raise suspicions by being too obvious.

·         Check any packaging for signs of tampering. Some card scammers are very good, so don’t be embarrassed to be picky about the card that you choose. Also, many gift cards have PINs that are masked on the card. Be sure to check the card to see if the masking has been scratched off.

·         Purchase the gift card online directly from the vendor. Avoid online auction sites, since cards from these sources may be counterfeit or obtained fraudulently.

·         Encourage your beneficiary to use the card as soon as possible.

·         If the retailer offers, register the card. This makes it easier to protect the balance.

If you do get scammed, report it to the Federal Trade Commission.



Better Business Bureau:

https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/14400-dont-get-scammed-out-of-a-gift-card-this-season

The Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/buying-gift-cards-for-the-holidays-beware-of-this-new-scam/

Federal Trade Commission Complaint Assistant:

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE– Crime Prevention Newsletter Annual Christmas Issue

This issue of the Sheriff's Office's "Partners in Crime Prevention" has tips to avoid identity theft during the holidays as well as information about fentanyl in Snohomish County.



Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6273

E-SKIMMING– A New Cybercrime Technique

You no doubt have heard of skimming. This is where someone inserts a thin piece of plastic with an electronic circuit into a credit card reader at an ATM, gas pump, or retail card reader. The skimmer collects credit card information from the cards of users of the machines. With that information an identity thief can make purchases for him/herself or sell it to others who can use them for criminal activity. Skimmers can be difficult to detect for card reader users. Police often recommend that consumers check readers for tampering before using the reader.

In late October, the FBI issued a warning to small and medium-sized businesses and government agencies that take credit card payments online about a new skimming technique. Called E-skimming, a cyber criminal inserts malware into the checkout area of the business’ web site through a phishing attack or by exploiting a web site vulnerability.

As customers enter their card information, the malware sits in the background, collects the data then sends it to a server that the hacker has access to (see illustration).

The FBI has recommendations for businesses on how they can prevent e-skimming malware from infecting their computer systems; such as keeping their security software up to date, changing their default login credentials, and educating employees about how to detect phishing emails.

However, for consumers, detecting e-skimming on a web site is not possible. But there are things that you can do to prevent or at least limit any potential damage:

·         Set up a “Card not present” alert on your credit cards. The alert, sent by text or email from your card issuer, is used when your physical card is not present during a transaction. The notice gives you a timely opportunity to contact the issuer if the transaction was not initiated by you.

·         Consider using a low-limit credit card only for online purchases. The low limit helps limit any damage from the hacker stealing the card information. Never use a debit card for online transactions.

·         Consider using a virtual credit card for online purchases. Virtual credit cards, which are tied to your bank’s credit card, act as a buffer between your credit card account and the vendor. When you have an online transaction, you use the virtual credit card account number but your regular credit card will be charged. The number may be used on a one-time basis, or you can use it until you detect or suspect that your number has been exposed in a data breach. In that case, all you have to do is to cancel the virtual credit card but keep your regular credit card account.

·         Consider using a third party, such as PayPal or Venmo, to pay online. Like virtual credit cards, this is a way to protect your credit card information from ID thieves.

·         Be sure to monitor your credit card account closely for any unusual transactions.

FBI:

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/portland/news/press-releases/oregon-fbi-tech-tuesday-building-a-digital-defense-agaist-e-skimming

Utah Department of Public Safety:

https://dpsnews.utah.gov/e-skimming/

CNBC:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/29/how-to-protect-your-credit-card-info-from-e-skimmers.html

ZDNet:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/fbi-issues-warning-about-e-skimming-magecart-attacks/

Experian:

https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-a-virtual-credit-card/

CHILD CAR SEATS– Buy a Nationally Certified Seat

Having properly fitting and installed child car seats in your car is important for the safety of your young child. And where you buy your car seat can be important to ensuring that your child has the proper seat.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, in a Facebook post, recently talked about a couple who came into the North Precinct asking for help with a secondhand child car seat. Deputies helping the couple found several problems with the seat; the seat was thought to be 1 year old, however it turned out to be 5 years old; the original padding had been replaced with egg carton foam indicating that the seat was either in an accident or had been dropped hard enough to render it unusable.

In addition to secondhand car seats, law enforcement agencies also warn the public to avoid knockoff car seats. Often found online, knockoffs may seem to offer a cheaper alternative, but they may not be built to the standards required by the federal government.

Some guidelines to use when shopping for a child car seat include:

·         Try to avoid used car seats. If you must buy used, buy one from a friend or other family member.

·         If you are buying online, check out the specifications for the seat.

·         When you buy a seat, register it with the manufacturer so that they can notify you if there is a safety recall.

Look out for:

·         Missing manuals.

·         Missing stickers on the side and bottom of the seat. The stickers should tell you the date of manufacture and the model number that you can use to check if the seat has been recalled.

·         Cracks (however small) in plastic or foam,

·         Parts that don’t work right, like finicky handles or latch connectors that won’t latch.

·         Add-ons to the seat that do not look like they came with the seat (for example fabric doesn’t match- these are often non-regulated products that can affect performance of the seat).

·         Bases that do not match the seat or do not connect correctly.

·         Check the expiration date.

For more information about child car seats check out the following links:



Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.facebook.com/SnoCoSheriff/posts/3264273180313399?__tn__=K-R



NPR Here and Now:

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2019/11/06/knockoff-car-seats-online



U.S. Department of Transportation:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats



Safe Kids Worldwide:

https://www.safekids.org/tip/buying-right-car-seat



 Washington State Child Seat Law:

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.687

FACEBOOK– Beware of Costco Coupon Scam

Costco has posted on its Facebook page that a fake coupon for $75 with Costco markings is going around on Facebook. The offer has the user take a survey with the promise of being able to redeem the coupon for $75. In its post, Costco emphatically states that this is a scam and not from Costco.

The Seattle Times:
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/even-people-who-should-know-better-are-falling-for-this-costco-coupon-scam-on-facebook/

CAR PROWLS– Protecting Yourself

Recently, the North Snohomish county Property Crimes Unit posted a reminder to remove anything from view when you park your vehicle. The reason police recommend this to prevent car prowls is that car prowlers are opportunists.

Most people who steal look for easy, relatively low risk opportunities to take something. That means looking for targets where the theft is less likely to be observed. It also means the thief looks for items that he/she can take easily and quickly. That’s why there are so many security videos floating around social media of car prowlers testing car door handles for unlocked cars. If they can open the door and take an item, that is better than breaking a window. People will notice broken windows.

And, having something in view, such as a purse, tells a car prowler there is something worthwhile to steal in the vehicle. And they will open the door or break the glass to take it. If they do not see anything that could be worth stealing, they will go on to the next vehicle.





North Snohomish County Property Crimes Unit:

https://www.facebook.com/SnoCoSheriff/photos/a.318645198209560/3288408381233212/?type=3&eid=ARD1Otb0ZPJqJpDgqRQI-JzZc1Jmy2EJMWLmKzl21q66aumjL-a-UTRgLtxlEUzBtGPf75Tcr-OrClO_&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAyIptZG6J0Lqi4ZsZ9A7NuRaITfpMK-xZUqyUofY81EzO_r2iGsvRVVM5GARY4dba-lkmjPF06qxIZbD7gKCnhFY2LmwNHDEvmWGjn_SgPysUoBn2VjM1fh0EtnsK6Qx6gQs5y9v99kvKr70xgXbk5bAGSuEnLqbPsY_PjCPPYfywbWV92tjqmGtR3yL5gPQE__xfxISZBtBLKIiPB5G8LNji2JxGRVsj3j8Srd8DlLKnp8ITFxf1phSZdNcYgLQ4SA8-GsgPYZzq3ErwA1pJotqt0jM_hIC3m5ejiYprNRh1xPSigCGQflSQbGa0cTUhGEnLt7hShSSDMtoszJ51WyQ&__tn__=EHH-R