Category Chapter 6

Aug 23 2014

Russian Hackers Might Have Your Information

You first heard the reports in August 2014: reports that Russian hackers have stolen more than a billion unique username and password combinations, and more than 500 million email addresses, grabbed from thousands of websites.

How do you know if your information was part of this hack?  You really don’t, but don’t take any chances.  Change the passwords you use for sensitive sites like your bank and email account–really any site that has important financial or health information.  Make sure each password is different so someone who knows one of your passwords won’t suddenly have access to all your important accounts.

Can you make sure this doesn’t happen to you again?  Unfortunately, you can’t.  But take all precautionary steps and lessen the odds scammers will get a hold of your information.

For additional information, go to

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/russian-hackers-might-have-your-info-now-what

 

 

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original article to discuss

  • Ask students if anyone they know has had sensitive information hacked.
  • Have students present proposals on how to protect themselves from hackers.

Discussion Questions

  1. Is creating new passwords enough to keep your information safe?
  2. Is there anything else you can do to protect your sensitive information?
Aug 9 2014

Is Your Credit Card Denied By Mistake?

When your credit card issuer suspects fraudulent activity on your credit card, it triggers a red flag to deny the charge.  Generally, it is a great protection.  But if you are making the purchase and not a thief, it can be frustrating.  Some purchase patterns that could cause your purchase to be denied include:

  • A purchase for a small dollar amount, followed by a large purchase. Credit card thieves sometimes make a small dollar “test purchase” followed by big ticket items, so this raises a red flag.
  • Multiple purchases back-to-back in a short span of time.
  • Making purchases in a new city, in a different part of town, or in stores where you do not normally shop.

Though inconvenient, these protections are to keep you from being a victim of fraud.  Take these steps to prevent or deal with a credit card purchase being denied by mistake:

  • Inform your credit card company if you will be using your card out of town (especially internationally).
  • Update your billing address if you move, so that the company recognizes the new pattern of purchases as a new normal.
  • Make sure the company has your cell phone number so that it can contact you faster to verify or authorize a purchase.
  • Contact your credit company immediately if your purchase is denied.

For more information go to http://www.usa.gov/topics/consumer/consumer-action-handbook.pdf

Teaching Suggestions

  • Ask students if their credit card was ever denied in error.
  • If the transaction was denied, how did they resolve the problem.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are a few reasons that your credit card purchase might be denied?
  2. What can you do to avoid such an embarrassment at the check-out counter?
Jul 16 2014

Text Message Spam

Spam text messages are not only annoying but also illegal. Many con artists use text messages to obtain your personal information by offering a free gift card or vacation. As a result, you become very vulnerable to identity theft.

To avoid becoming a victim of text message spam, register your number on the Do Not Call List.  Also, never click on links in spam messages, which often carry malware or send you to fake websites.

Never reply to these text messages or give out your personal information.  Report the text spam to your cell phone carrier by forwarding the message to 7726 (SPAM).

You can report unwanted commercial text messages and other complaints related to consumer fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1

For additional information on text message spam, go to:

http://blog.usa.gov/post/89152807112/protect-yourself-from-text-message-spam

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0350-text-message-spam

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students conduct research to obtain information on various types of scam and frauds.
  • Have students create an in-class presentation or a video communicating actions to take to avoid becoming a victim of consumer fraud.

Discussion Questions 

  1. Why do some people easily become victims of text message spam and other consumer frauds?
  2. Describe various types of frauds and scams.
  3. What actions can be taken to avoid becoming a victim of consumer fraud?

 

Jul 12 2014

Learning about High-Cost Financial Services

Brian Page, a teacher in Reading Ohio, wants his students to understand the drawbacks of check-cashing services, pawnshops, rent-to-own stores, payday loans, and other shadow banking services.  As a result, he scheduled a field trip for his students to visit these sources of high-cost financial services in their community, which are used by many unbanked consumers.

At LoanMax, they observed people getting loans with their auto titles serving as collateral.  One missed payment could lead to repossession of the vehicle. Next, at CheckSmart, students learned about payday lending and tax refund anticipation loans.

At CashAmerica people were making loan payments on money borrowed, which used jewelry, electronics, and sports memorabilia as collateral. Finally, the visit to the Rent-A-Center store demonstrated the exorbitant costs of furniture, appliances, and electronics when using a rent-to-own payment program.

For additional information on teaching about high-cost financial services, go to:

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students talk with someone who has used one of these high-cost financial services. Obtain information about their experiences.
  • If appropriate, have students visit a high-cost financial service provider to obtain information about their services and fees.
  • Have students create a video presentation with suggestions on how to avoid using costly sources of financial services.

Discussion Questions 

  1. Why are an increasing number of people using high-cost financial services such as pawnshop loans, payday loans, and rent-to-own programs?
  2. What alternatives might used by consumers instead of these high-cost financial services?
  3. What actions might a person take to avoid these high-cost financial services?
Jun 25 2014

Buyer Beware: Grey Charges

You just opened your credit card statement. “What’s this charge?” may be your first thought when you see a small charge on your credit card statement that you can’t figure out. This is known as a “grey charge” and there are several types of grey charges you should be familiar with:

  • Unintended subscriptions. You thought you made a onetime purchase, but it was really a subscription.
  • Zombie fees. Membership fees that you had cancelled, but charges still appear on your statement.
  • Free trial to a paid subscription. When a free trial is over, the seller converts it to a paid subscription.
  • Negative option. You bought one product, but did not realize that you were buying others at the same time.

What can you do to protect yourself from grey charges?

  • Before you buy, read the terms of service. Disclosures about fees may be hidden, so read the entire document.
  • Mark your calendar as a reminder to cancel free trials by a set date.
  • Read your credit card statements carefully. Pay attention to the names of companies and charges for small amounts.
  • Contact the seller to have the grey charges removed.
  • Dispute the charges with your credit card company.

For additional information on grey charges go to: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students check their credit card statements to discover any grey charges.
  • Have students make a short presentation with a summary of actions that might be taken to avoid grey charges.

Discussion Questions

1. What are several reasons to check your credit card statements?

2. What can you do if grey charges appear on your credit card statement?

 

Jun 21 2014

What Eight Numbers Do Identity Thieves Want?

This article explains why identity thieves want eight different numbers and also provides some helpful tips for avoiding identity theft. The eight numbers include:

1. Phone numbers
2. Specific dates (birth, college attendance, employment, etc.) and Zip Codes
3. PIN Codes
4. Social Security Numbers
5. Bank Account Numbers
6. IP Address
7. Driver’s License and Passport Numbers
8. Health Insurance Account Numbers

For more information go to

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/8-numbers-identity-thieves-want-103033107.html

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original article to

  • Stress that identity theft is on the rise. According to the article, data breaches are now the third certainty in life and sooner or later, you will become a victim.
  • Ask students who have had their identity stolen what steps were necessary to solve the problems associated with identity theft.

Discussion Questions

1. What have you done to protect the eight numbers that thieves want and need to steal your identity?

2. Today many companies offer services designed to help protect your identity. These companies charge from $100 to $200 a year or more. Would you consider using one of these services?

Jun 4 2014

Bogus $10,000 Credit Line

In May 2014, the Federal Trade Commission mailed checks totaling over $3.7 million to over 26,000 consumers whose bank accounts were debited without their consent by EDebitPay LLC.  The company deceptively offered a $10,000 credit line that was really a membership to a website where consumers could buy goods.

In 2011, a federal district court ordered the company to pay more than $3.7 million after finding that the defendants were in contempt of court for violating a 2008 court order by selling a bogus “$10,000 credit line”, and a “no cost” prepaid debit card with hidden fees, to consumers who were unemployed or had poor credit.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them.

For additional information on fraudulent business practices, go to

http://www.ftc.gov

Discussion Questions

1.  How do you discover that someone has debited your bank accounts?

2.  What steps can you take to prevent such fraudulent business practices?

Teaching Suggestions

*  Ask students what actions might they take to ensure that their credit cards and other financial information are secure.

*  Ask students to compile a list of resources a person can use to report such fraudulent business practices, and check out a company’s reputation before signing a contract.

May 15 2014

Protect Your Personal Information and Money

Recent reports about thieves gaining access to sensitive personal information that can be used to commit fraud or steal money, sometimes involving major security breaches at large retailers such as Target stores.  While federal laws and industry practices generally limit losses for unauthorized transactions involving bank accounts, debit and credit cards, it pays to be proactive.

Be careful when you use social networking sites.  Scammers use social networking sites to gather details about individuals, such as their place or date of birth, a pet’s name, their mother’s maiden name, and other information that can help them figure out passwords–or how to reset them.  Even small amount of information can help them steal your identity, such as by answering security questions that control access to accounts.  According to Michael Benardo, Chief of the FDIC’s Cyber Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, “Don’t share your ‘page’ or access with anyone you don’t know and trust.  Criminals may pretend to be your ‘friend’  or relative to convince you to send money or divulge personal information.”

For additional information and tips on avoiding fraud at social media sites, go to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at

http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091001.aspx and http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnfall13/socialmedia.html

Discussion Questions

1.  What can you do to guard against scams involving fraudulent requests to wire money or send a prepaid card?

2.  Why should you be suspicious about unsolicited emails or text messages asking you to click on a link or open an attachment?

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog and the websites to

*  Discuss the importance of regularly reviewing your transactions in your credit card and bank statements.

*  Carefully choose user IDs and passwords for your computers, mobile devices, and online accounts.

*  Periodically review your credit reports to make sure someone else has not obtained a credit card or a loan in your name.

May 11 2014

Billing Errors on Your Credit Card Statement

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Response Center reports that billing disputes and error resolution problems and processes are the most common types of complaints it received in 2012 and 2013 related to credit cards.  And, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, many consumers are confused and frustrated by the process of challenging inaccuracies on their monthly statements.

Checking your statements periodically also can help you monitor your spending.  You may want to sign up for alerts on your mobile phone or through your email that inform you when your credit card has hit a specific balance amount or you are close to your credit limit.  Other alerts can remind you about an upcoming bill.

If you notice a billing error, such as an unauthorized charge on your statement, contact the card issuer as soon as possible.

 For additional information and guidance, see consumer information from the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0219-fair-credit-billing.

 

Discussion Questions

1.  What might be some reasons for consumers to be confused and frustrated by the process of challenging inaccuracies on their monthly statements?

2.  What are advantages of checking your monthly credit card statements?

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the FTC website to

  • Have students make a short presentation with a summary of actions that might be taken to report billing errors to the credit card issuer and other federal consumer protection agencies.
  • Draft a sample letter to dispute a billing error.
  • Review the Fair Credit Billing Act to learn about protecting  their rights if  a billing error occurs.
May 4 2014

Choosing a Credit Card? Ensure that Your Credit Report is Accurate

Correcting inaccuracies in your credit report may help you improve your credit history and credit score, which credit card issuers consider when deciding whether to offer you a card and how they will determine your interest rate and credit limit. You also can find out if an identity thief has opened credit cards or other accounts in your name.

By federal law, you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report every twelve months from each of the three major nationwide consumer reporting agencies (also called “credit bureaus”)—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Each company issues its own report, and because some lender do not provide information to all three of them, it’s useful to request your report from each one in order to get a comprehensive view of you credit history.

For additional information, go to

http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com; http://www.equifax.com; http://www.experian.com; http://www.transunion.com

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to check your credit reports every year?

2. Why should you request a credit report from each one of the three credit bureaus?

 

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog and the above websites to discuss

* What should students do if they find inaccuracies in their credit reports?

* Have students draft a letter to the credit bureau to correct the errors in their credit report.