FraudAvengers September Newsletter!

This Month's Focus - Mobile Phone Security

Dependence

We have become a society with a compulsive need to have a mobile phone always within reach, ever increasing our dependence on them for banking, shopping, social media, news, and entertainment. Almost 70% of us have experienced losing our phones, yet only 26% of us are concerned the loss will expose personal or financial related information.¹  



100% of us need to understand that if our device becomes lost or stolen the information stored could put us at risk for identity theft and other forms of financial fraud.

¹Mobile Mindset Study: Lookout Mobile Security (June 2012)

Mobile Security Concerns Continue to Increase

Consumer awareness as it relates to mobile security is improving. According to a recent TRUSTe survey, 85% of respondents will not download an app if they don’t “trust it.” However, 31% of app explorers are still willing to share personal information in exchange for free apps.²

Mobile malware is an increasing threat to consumers. According to NetQin, during the first-half of 2012, nearly 13 million phones were infected with malware. Infections are increasing at an alarming rate, with June 2012 seeing a record high of 3.7 million phone infections. Android leads with the largest market share of mobile phone users (46.9%) but also leads with the most malware. From April to June 2012 Android malware increased by 300%³. Security research firm Kaspersky Labs found nearly 15,000 new malicious programs written specifically for the Android platform, with almost half those programs out to steal our personal and financial data.

²2012 Online and Mobile Privacy Perceptions Report: TRUSTe (July 2012)
³Malware Report: Kindsight Security Labs (Q2 2012)

Secure your Mobile Phone 

Implement these simple steps to help protect your information:

• Keep your mobile phone's operating system up-to-date.
• Backup your mobile device regularly.
• Don’t use modified or hacked software.
• Keep your Bluetooth off if you’re not using it. Savvy fraudsters can pair their devices to yours to access information.
• Avoid making financial transactions using a “hotspot” or public wireless network.
• Password protect your phone to lock it when it’s not in use
• Enable remote tracking to allow you to lock or erase data remotely if your device is lost or stolen.
• Consider mobile security software, if available for your platform.
• Only download apps from reputable companies.  Check user comments and ratings to help identify when an app is unsafe, and make sure you're comfortable with access permissions granted.
• Avoid "malvertising" or advertising links that take users to a fake marketplace filled with malicious apps.

Disposing of your Old Mobile Device

Common forensic tools used by scam artists can be used to expose social security numbers, credit card numbers, and other personal details. Before you part ways with your old phone, consult your owner’s manual to:

• Reset your phone to Factory Settings.
• Remove your SIM card.
• Make sure all applications, voicemails, contacts, emails, photos and notes have been removed.

Take Action - Your Voice Counts!

Help us educate others on how they can protect themselves and identify current fraud and scams.  You can: 

• Forward this newsletter to family and friends
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• Bookmark FraudAvengers.org

Smartphone Usage Facts⁴ 

1. 80% of the world population own mobile phones
2. 91.4 million smartphones in the US alone
3. 9 out of 10 smartphone users use their phones daily
4. The most popular smartphone activity is texting, followed by internet browsing and playing games

^{4 Smartphone Usage Statistics 2012: AnsonAlex.com (January 2012)}

Signs to Watch For :

• Unknown charges on your bill, such as international calls you didn't make.
• Your battery drains rapidly.
• Your device shows it has received or sent strange text messages.
• You have apps that don't open or work properly.

Learn More FraudAvengers.org

• Check Fraud
• Card Fraud
• Computer and Online Security
• Elder Fraud
• Insurance Fraud
• Investment Fraud
• Identity Theft
• Medical ID Theft
• Mobile Security
• Personal Fraud Protection
• Social Media

If You Think You Are Being Scammed

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