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Privacy Rights
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Every
worry about identity theft? Worry about young people and the dangers of
the web? Mind if I read your private emails? Or browse through your
medical records? This section takes you into the scary world of privacy and
identity theft. StraightTalk
gives you just that (straightTalk) when it comes to identity theft and privacy
issues.
Phishing is a scam that uses email or pop-up messages including instant messages to steal your personal financial information. In many instances, the message contains a link that goes to a fake website. The messages seem to come from well-known companies. eBay and PayPal are two favorites of the scammers. Banks are another favorite. The fake websites look very much like the real websites.
Want to see how savvy you are about these scams? Take the SonicWALL Phishing IQ Test. How well did you do? It’s not easy to distinguish between a real and a fake message is it?
Here are 3 things to note to avoid being hooked by such scams:
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October 2007
With the phenomenal success of sites such as MySpace.com and Facebook.com, the numbers and variety of social networking websites are exploding on the Internet. Some, such as MySpace and Facebook, attract millions of varied users and others may be targeted at fewer individuals with very specific interests. All share the objective of allowing “members” to communicate, or “network,” with other members, and all require that users share some information about themselves. Social networking sites can be a great place to meet other people with your interests. They can be a fun place to meet and interact with friends. The many positives of these sites, however, come with some real dangers—if you don’t use them wisely. This report provides tips for safely using social networking sites.
What are Social Networking Sites?
Social networking sites are online communities where people from all over the world can meet and share common interests. There are hundreds of these sites, some more well known or larger than others. Joining a site is usually free; and after you join, you typically set up a personalized profile or provide other information (such as a personal blog) that other members can see. Members then communicate using tools provided by the site — instant messaging, chat rooms, blogs, and email. On many sites members can post pictures and videos. Some sites allow other members to post comments on your profile or blog.
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January 2007
 Throughout 2007, the number of people shopping online and the number of purchases online is expected to continue to grow rapidly. Whether you buy online frequently or just occasionally, online shopping isn't risk or hassle free, however. As you start the New Year, here are some good pointers and tips for shopping safely on the Internet.
How should you pay for your purchase?
Always make payment for your purchase through the shopping cart or payment service setup by the website. If any seller wants you to make other arrangements to send the payment don't complete the transaction.
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 November 2006
Are you tired of finding your mailbox loaded with unsolicited credit card, mortgage, and home equity loan offers? Are you tired of your phone ringing with offers from telemarketers? Are you tired of junk mail? Would you also like to do something to take your name out of circulation for various solicitations? Then read on. This month's report provides more information about some of the topics about privacy and personal security I touched on during my recent visit to Corning CU.
Did you know that in about an hour, you can reduce the amount of junk mail and unsolicited offers in all forms that you receive? That's about the amount of time it will take you to opt-out.
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 September 2006
Do you know where your financial and important documents are? If you had to leave your home quickly, could you easily find them? If something happened to you, could someone else find all of your important papers? If you answered yes to all of these questions, congratulations, you are well organized. For the rest of us, this review profiles how to put your important records in order.
Which documents are important?
Documents that prove identity, ownership, insurance coverage, and other various legal documents are important and should be kept in a protected but accessible location. These documents include, but aren't limited to, the following:
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 August 2006
The Internet is a rich treasure trove of information and entertainment. Unfortunately, it's equally rich in traps for the unwary. Threats to your privacy (and your personal information) are just waiting for you online. You may have noticed recent news reports of various phishing scams and security breaches at various organizations. Are you doing all you can to protect your privacy and personal information online? In this report, we look at some tips and tools to help you enhance your online privacy and security.
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 March 2006
The convenience of going wireless with your notebook computer is so tempting. Wireless computer connections free you up to work over the Internet all around the house or office or from the local coffeeshop. Many consumers are putting wireless networks in their homes. Wi-Fi hotspots are appearing in many public locations such as cafes, libraries, churches, and airports. You can go online anywhere, it seems. But unless you take the proper security precautions in using Wi-Fi hotspots and in setting up your own wireless network, you are putting your financial and personal information at risk. In this month's report we look at the dangers and the precautions you can take.
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 February 2006
CCU members are very savvy about online banking. Many CCU members take advantage of CCU's Home Banking to manage many aspects of their credit union accounts online. That's terrific.
If you regularly read Remar's Reports, you know that I'm a big fan of managing your personal financial business online. Having online access to all your financial accounts (beyond your checking account) can offer increased convenience, efficiency, and, above all, security. Using e-statements, instead of paper statements, can also offer benefits. Of course, as the "end-use" consumer, you must follow good security practices, just like CCU and other reputable financial institutions do. This review profiles some of the potential benefits of managing most of your financial business online, including using e-statements, and provides tips for doing it safely.
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 September/October 2005
Because your credit history can affect so many aspects of your life—from your ability to get a mortgage or auto loan to the rates you're charged for insurance or whether an employer will hire you or landlord will rent you an apartment—wise consumers keep a close watch on the accuracy of their credit reports. Regular review of your credit report is also one of the best ways to spot certain attempts at identity theft.
In August's Remar's StraightTalk Report, we looked at the importance of your credit report and the pros and cons of using a credit monitoring service. But whether you monitor your credit report yourself or subscribe to a credit monitoring service that alerts you about changes or suspicious activity, you must still know how to read your credit report, interpret the information in it, and take steps to correct errors. Only you can do these things. This report shows you how.
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 August 2004
Ads are everywhere—on the TV, in newspapers and magazines, in your mail, and especially online. We are so used to seeing ads that we tend to pay little attention to them. But the advertisers are always trying to change that—they want to make the ads more relevant. Now as you take advantage of the Information Highway, your use of the Internet offers advertisers new ways to target your interests and personal information, and, they hope, your wallet. In a nutshell, this report tells you how they are doing that online and what you can do about it.
Advertising fuels many websites by providing the revenue that allows them to pay the bills. The more effective the ad, the better the dollars. And the more the ad is tailored to specific individuals, the more effective the ad. So marketing and advertising companies are always refining their ways to gather and use information about you.
Here are several examples of how information is currently being used to target individual consumers for marketing barrages.
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 An Introduction to Electronic Financial Transactions
June 2004
Computers and the Internet allow us to have all of our financial information at our finger tips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We don’t have to wait for business hours to make transactions. Businesses and financial institutions also benefit. Among many possible activities, you can check account balances, receive statements, pay bills, and transfer money.
This brief introduction provides basic information and some tips on using these services.
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 November 2003
When the calendar turns to November, 'tis the season for appeals for charitable gifts. Between November 1 and the end of the year, the typical American home will receive dozens of mail, phone, and even door-to-door solicitations for gifts. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) notes that more than 700,000 federally recognized charities exist. And each year individuals contribute more than 80% of all money raised by charitable causes. Wise donors want to make sure that their charitable gift dollars are used wisely and responsibly. They also want to avoid those scam artists and phony charities that prey on people's generosity.
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 October 2003
The news has been full lately of the latest threats to your computer. The Blaster and Sobig worms have caused havoc with computer systems around the world. Maybe one of these or another has already hit your machine. Frustrating, isn't it? And these problems will likely get worse not better.
Worms and viruses, for instance, are not the only things to be wary of. Other potential dangers include spyware, browser hijackers, background advertising programs, to name just a few. These may come cloaked in file-sharing programs, toolbars, or other files. While many articles and even a few books have been written on this subject, this brief article will give you an overview of what steps you can take to secure your computer and the personal information on it. For more information, check out the resources listed below.
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 July 2003, updated March 2007
How big a problem is identity theft? It's an epidemic. The Javelin Strategy and Research/Better Business Bureau 2006 Identity Fraud Survey Report indicates there were 8.9 million adult victims in the U.S. in 2005 and that the total one year fraud amount was $56.6 billion.
Having one's personal identity stolen can be costly and frustrating. Taking steps to learn about the dangers of ID theft and to prevent becoming a victim makes smart sense. This brief report shares the basics of what you need to know and provides links to other excellent resources.
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 June 2003, updated March 2007
Telemarketing phone calls certainly annoy most consumers. But more important, many of these calls are designed to steal consumers' cash. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that telemarketing scams cost Americans more than $40 billion each year. In their surveys, the National Fraud Information Center found that the average individual loss in 2005 was $2,892, up from $1,174 in 2001. A little information and some commonsense tips can help you protect yourself and your family against these rip-offs.
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Consumer Guides 
Handout for Remar Sutton's Privacy seminars.