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The following information gives us something to think about with all our new electronic technology. The end of the article includes recommendations from FIDO at ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) on keeping yourself safe from mobile phone scams and "Smishing" - the new term of phishing via SMS

GPS Navigation Theft

There is a story circulating about someone who had their car broken into while they were at a football game. Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard.

When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen.

The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents.

Some things to consider if you have a GPS

• Remove it from view, including the mounting if possible

• Even if you are removing the GPS from site when you park, local police have reported a huge increase in GPS theft from cars because people are leaving the GPS mounting visible, so thieves target the car knowing there is a high likelihood of there being a GPS device in the car.

• Don't put your home address in it.

• Put a nearby address (like a shop or service station) so you can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would know where you live if your GPS were stolen.

MOBILE PHONES

Mobile Phone Security

Another story doing the rounds holds a moral about our habits of listing names on our mobile phones. A lady had her handbag stolen, containing mobile phone, credit card and purse.

20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says 'I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago.'

When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen phone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.

Moral of the lesson:

• Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list.
• Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mum, etc....
• And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back.
• Also, when you're being text by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you.

Have you been smished?

Information from FIDO at ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission)

SMS scams

You may have heard of phishing - the practice of sending a hoax email to trick you into providing your bank account details. But have you heard of smishing? This is where identity thieves use SMS messages to obtain your personal details.

A recent example involves sending text messages that claim your bank account or credit card has been blocked and asking you (either in the text message or through a subsequent recorded message) to provide these details for confirmation so a new card can be sent.

Top tips to avoid mobile phone scams:

• Don't give out your number to just anyone
• Keep your mobile phone number confidential and share it only with friends and relatives.
• If you put it on your business card, be careful who you give this to.
• Be suspicious of unexpected text messages or calls
• Check the number before replying to text messages or calls. Not only could these be a scam but some numbers such as those starting with '19' could result in higher charges than normal rates if you respond.
• Install anti-virus software Most of the big internet security companies have mobile versions of their software.
• Scrutinise your bill every month Watch out for small payments which scammers may try to sneak past you.
• Don't use it for competition entries or other apparently "free services" If you do choose to do this, make sure you read all of the terms and conditions.