Warnings to Consumers to Prevent Identity Theft and Protect Privacy

Consumers are being warned to beware of unscrupulous people engaged in deceptive trade activities during this holiday season. Of particular note are the sale of counterfeit or pirated merchandise and identity theft. Counterfeiters and pirates with basic web design skills can set up online storefronts that look as authentic as those operated by legitimate enterprises. Simple coding, and even cutting and pasting, allows them to display on their websites corporate advertisements, government logos, and seemingly secure payment forms. These websites are highly deceptive to consumers, who believe they are buying legitimate goods. Counterfeiters sell these items on websites that look legitimate, decorating the site with corporate advertisements, when in truth, the items for sale are counterfeit or pirated. These sites also accept credit cards for the goods. Thieves also use bogus websites to capture personal identifying information. This information will be sold and/or used to engage in identity theft crimes. During the holiday season, consumers must be particular alert to scams selling counterfeit goods, said Attorney General Masto. Identity theft also continues to rise and consumers must increase their awareness of this fraudulent practice and protect themselves against these identity thieves. To avoid becoming a victim, take the following steps: * If you shop online, shop only with well-established internet merchants or the websites of local brick and mortar stores. * Never provide any credit card, bank account or other personal information to anyone sending you an unsolicited advertisement selling goods or services either by e-mail or pop-up advertisements. There is a great risk whenever the consumer does business in response to unsolicited e-mails or pop-up advertisements. * Be particularly careful when purchasing items on internet websites. Always use a credit card when making a purchase, so you can challenge any fraudulent sale with your credit card company. Never wire money to the seller in an internet auction purchase. Legitimate sellers never demand that customers wire money. * If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Use your common sense. If you think something is fishy, it very well may be an illegitimate company or someone phishing for personal identifying information. * Never wire money to anyone as part of a purchase or business transaction. Wire money only to relatives and people you know and only in amounts you can afford to lose. Crooks use Western Union and Moneygram transfers, since they are impossible to track down once the transfer has been made. Remember, as consumers you are in the best position to not purchase counterfeit or pirated items, prevent identity theft and protect your privacy, as well as to educate your children to learn to protect themselves.