Your Safety Archives | The SpectraLight Photography Blog

Warning: Your identity is about to be stolen

More than 10 million Americans are victimized by identity theft every year, according to a study conducted by the Identity Theft Resource Center in 2003 and 2004. A statistical analysis on identify theft, The Aftermath Study was created by the group to further determine ways to combat the crime.

According to the study, the post-identity theft recovery time can last as few as three hours and up to 5,840 hours depending on the severity of the identity crime, which varies from a missing credit card to social security card fraud.

To learn about a few simple precautions to avoid being an identity theft victim, read a short article at parade.com. Very simple and easy suggestions that could save you thousands of hours and dollars getting your life back in order.

Warning: Your identity is about to be stolen Read More »

“Innocent” apps could cause death

Leave a Comment

GPS-enabled smart phone apps could lead to true love… or maybe even death.

There are at least three different apps that help users find potential “love-interests” based on how close they are to the user at any given moment.

Users simply log into the app, create a brief profile, upload a photo of themselves and they're good to go.

Then whenever they want to connect with someone new – whether at a concert, the grocery store or even church – simply load the app and check-out who is nearby. Once someone of interest is found, simply send a text message with an invitation to meet. …

“Innocent” apps could cause deathRead More »

“Innocent” apps could cause death Read More »

Craig’s List scammers are out to get you

Leave a Comment

: Fake check and genuine FedEx envelope that it arrived in. Double click a photo to see it larger.

Consider this scenario: You've just received an e-mail from someone ready to pay full price for an item you have for sale on Craig's List. The potential buyer is happy to wait until the check clears before you send the item. Two days later, you get an e-mail from the buyer saying they “accidentally” sent the check for an amount higher than the price of your item. All you have to do is wire the difference back to them ASAP (BEFORE the check clears).

I was selling a clarinet and experienced the above exchange of e-mails. To make it seem legitimate, the check came via FedEx and was written out of a business account. The amount was $2000.00 more than the price of the clarinet!

Knowing all this added up to nothing but bad news, I contacted WEWS NewsChannel5 to investigate. Read their report at http://bit.ly/bTfGP2

Have you had a bad experience selling something online? Please share it by commenting on this post.

Craig’s List scammers are out to get you Read More »

Your bank’s ATM – cause of identity theft?

Leave a Comment

An identity thief was nabbed in North Ridgeville – a small community about 25 minutes west of Cleveland.

Using a device called a “skimmer,” he acquired the information from the magnetic stripe on each bank customer's card and then used a remote camera to record the PIN as it was entered.

To learn how this is done, how to recognize a “skimmer” attached to an ATM and how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, read the informative article at: http://www.snopes.com/fraud/atm/atmcamera.asp

Do you have any tips to avoid identity theft? Please leave your comment – below.

Your bank’s ATM – cause of identity theft? Read More »

Don’t Fall Victim To Twitter Crime

Leave a Comment

“Please Rob Me” is an interesting site that picks up tweets for those who publicly post their whereabouts. Head over to their site for examples of Twitter users who give their exact location at any time so you can head over to their empty house: http://pleaserobme.com/

So what do YOU think? Please click the “No Comments” link and add your thoughts or questions! If there are already comments, please add yours.

Win Starbucks or Best Buy gift cards with our fun trivia contests when you become a Facebook “Fan”: http://www.facebook.com/SpectraLight

About us: SpectraLight Photography & Design is located in North Ridgeville, OH – just 10 minutes west of Great Northern Mall and 20 – 25 minutes west of downtown Cleveland. Discover more about our photography services: http://www.spectralight.com/photserv.html

Don’t Fall Victim To Twitter Crime Read More »

Your Safety

Warning: Your identity is about to be stolen

“Innocent” apps could cause death

Craig’s List scammers are out to get you

Your bank’s ATM – cause of identity theft?

Don’t Fall Victim To Twitter Crime

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :-)