OIJ: more than 40 computer fraud complaints in last month – how to protect yourself

January 9^th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com)  The Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) said it has received more than 40 computer fraud complaints between December and so far this month.

 

As a result of the increase in complaints, OIJ wants to remind the public to take preventive measures when conducting online banking transactions.

 

One of the ways that fraudsters are tricking bank customers is through phony web site links that are now appearing in search engines, like Google.

 

Many people, rather than typing their bank’s web address directly into the address bar of their browser, simply type in a search term in their browser, such as “Banco Nacional,” which directs them to the results of that search.  Many people then click the first link that appears.

 

OIJ has detected, however, that fraudulent web sites now occupy those ‘first position’ search results in many cases.  Unsuspecting users follow the link, to a phony web site that looks identical to their bank’s own web site, where they proceed to enter their username, password, and other credentials, which are then captured by the fraudsters and later used to steal money from the account.

 

Here are some steps you should take to avoid becoming a victim:

 

• Do not access your bank’s web site using any sort of search engine or search tool.
• Ignore any emails that appear to be from your bank which supposedly contain a link back to the bank’s web site, asking you to login to your account for any reason.
• Only access your bank’s web site by typing the full URL directly into your browser’s address bar.

 

 

New! Liked this story? Keep the conversation going on our new discussion forums!

Come join the Inside Costa Rica community on our brand new discussion forums! Meet new friends, discuss the news of the day, and much more.

Click here to go to our community forums now!