Today my Mother got an email in her regular email account that he password at hotmail would be disconnected and if she wanted to keep the account she should "update" her information by clicking "here" (a bogus link that looked like she was logging into hotmail).
Not knowing a lot about the internet, my mother clicked on the link and it asked her for her account password, date of birth and other private information. She filled it out.
Not even 2 hours later I get an email from her account asking for $3,000 because she is at a bus station and needs money because she was robbed. Knowing my mother, I realize she would never be at a bus station and because the English was so broken I knew it was a hacker.
I tried to go to her hotmail account to disable it but the hacker has changed the password and accessed her private emails with other account information which could lead to identity theft. I have instructed her as to how to avoid some of these things and how to update her information.
Most of you probably know this but just a word to the wise.... NEVER - EVER.... I mean EVER click on a "link" from an email even if they say something like you owe money, or your electricity will be shut down, or whatever. Go to the ACTUAL WEBSITE that you do business with and click on the link from a secure website that you know and trust.
People are robbing people and stealing their identities over the internet!
Here are some more helpful tips:
1. change your passwords often
2. change them to uncommon things that do not relate to age, family, people you know
3. don't keep a list of your passwords in your email account
4. don't keep personal information in your email account
5. choose wisely what you put on your profile
6. don't talk about personal trips you are taking, when you will be away, or dates that robbers would remember
7. don't talk to people you don't know
Have a safe and "hack free" Holiday.
Lori Robertson-Stoudt
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