| Did you know that identity thieves are now shifting | | | | screen name should not provide or allude to personal |
| the focus of their attacks to instant messaging | | | | information about yourself. For instance, use a screen |
| because it is seen as a largely unprotected channel of | | | | name such as FootballFan instead of SmithSally. |
| communication? Instant messaging operates on | | | | 3. Create a barrier against unwanted instant |
| various peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and spawns an | | | | messaging. Do not freely list your screen name or |
| irresistible temptation for identity thieves to | | | | e-mail address in social forums. |
| maliciously steal your identity. | | | | 4. Never ever provide sensitive information such as |
| People who use instant messaging as a constant | | | | your credit card numbers or passwords in an IM |
| form of communication may tend to share files and | | | | conversation. |
| personal information without discretion. In addition, | | | | 5. Block unwanted messages. Most IM programs allow |
| anti-virus software does not incorporate protection | | | | you to build a contact list (aka as a "buddy list"), |
| for instant messaging services which makes it that | | | | which is similar to the address book in your e-mail |
| much more enticing for identity thieves to use this | | | | program. |
| forum to commit identity theft. As a result, like | | | | 6. Don't send personal information through instant |
| sharks in a feeding frenzy, these fraudsters will | | | | messages - such as the location of where you work |
| instant message you to lure you into divulging | | | | at or where you live to people you don't know well. |
| personal information or send you a Trojan virus or | | | | If a fraudster is on the other end, these pieces of |
| worm that will gather your personal and account | | | | information are enough for a fraudster to commit |
| information. | | | | identity theft against you. |
| Here are some tips to safe guarding your identity | | | | 7. If you use a public computer, do not log on |
| when you instant message: | | | | automatically. If you do, an identity thief can |
| 1. Never open pictures, download files, or click links in | | | | potentially us the computer after you and have |
| instant messages from people you don't know. | | | | access to your screen name and log-on. |
| 2. Be cautious when creating a screen name. Your | | | | |