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06.13.03 12:43 AM
beware online financial transactions
I really don't want to say too much at this time since fraudulent transactions are currently pending investigation. But an online financial service that I used was somehow hacked into, either by my following a link in an email that was a fraud or someone hacking into my online account. These people were able to get a lot of my banking and other financial information and further conducted fraudlent activity other than where they initially made their hack.
It's funny, b/c when ecommerce first came along, as well as all these online financial services, I was mad wary of using them. Eventually I gave in. It made things quick and easy. And for bill paying, it definitely cuts down on writing checks and purchasing stamps. This does not mean I would not trust my own bank's secure service and make transactions there, I probably still will. But all I have to say to you folks is I am out of a significant amount of money right now b/c of this and terribly stressed out about it. What if I can't recoup my funds? I'm not trying to scare you, but all I am saying is that you make sure you are using a secure service. That any time you send money over the Internet you see a lock somewhere in the browser's status area or elswhere on the site as you are connecting to make the transaction. Make sure the URL begins with an https instead of simply http. And it's even better if a new window opens in which you make the transaction, so that you're certain it is secure. I have learned a lot from this experience, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone else.
I know I'm not saying a lot here about what actually happened to me, but I don't want to be too harsh on any of these institutions...b/c they are here to serve us and they are trying to do their best. Besides being a journalist, and especially since the activities are under investigation, I know a little something about libel and defamation on the Internet. In other words I shouldn't be too hasty about what I say and spit some foul-mouthed expletives against anyone. And I really shouldn't use anyone's name here.
PS: to any of you having problems using my comments, I am having it looked into right now. I know some folks post and it doesn't go up. I get the email notifications, but don't see a lot of the posts. When I have time, I put them in myself since I have it all in the email notifications, but I can't always do that. So do know, that if you post and everyone doesn't get to see it in what J. feels is too small of a comment box, at least I know what you've said. BTW, J. I made it a little bit larger.
posted by lynne | link to this |
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Comments
I'm so sad to hear about this Lynne. This makes me mad as hell. I understand that you are under legal complications
. . . but on the real, you need to put this so-called "online financial service" on BLAST. If I were the top editor of <i>VIBE</i>, niggas heads would be ringin' 'cause they are about to see an investigative report on alleged mishaps by "online financial services" in the No. 1 urban magazine on the newsstands. This is some bullshit.
I'll be putting niggas on BLAST! This shit should have never ever happen to customers who bank online. Banks or "online financial services" need to be more aware of hacking and illegal activities when it comes to this Internet shit. They need to be on top of their game Ð banks and other services are vulnerable to hackers and crooks. They have to be 100 times hacker proof then the average website.
** I'm mad heated right now . . . **
Is this online financial service FDIC insured? What was their response to you and other customers whose financial stability might have been ruined by this invasion? Is this a big-name online financial service? Can you give us one real big tip that you learned from this experience? Like, what's the one thing that people don't know about wiring money through the Internet?
I know a lot of people who religiously shop online and bank online. I'm like cot damn! Fuck that, I'm walking to bank. Shit, I don't have a car and it takes me an hour by foot to get to my bank. But I'm like fuck it . . . this is my money I'm going to watch the teller do my transactions. Fuck convenience.
But I feel ya, Lynne. Banking online, shopping online . . . it is so easy and it is so fast. And it should be safe.
But, as far as me banking online, shopping online, "PayPal" crap online Ð I don't do it. Never like sending money over the Internet. There are just too many muthafuckas out there who sit at the computer all day trying to hack into shit, especially, into banks and online merchant sites.
This shit is making me mad hot. I was about to buy some shit online Ð expensive hot shit, too Ð but fuck that.
Are you okay? Do we have to jump off a charity show or something to help you out? You know, a LynneAID blog benefit . . . or somethin' like that?
This shit is crazy!
posted by "Mad Heated" Trent | June 14, 2003 7:44 AM #
Lynne,
Please let us know more when you can. And you're smart not to put too much out there.
Peace Sis!
posted by ronn | June 14, 2003 7:37 PM #
Funny....either I'm an extremely happy person or Zen has really worked me over. I was heated about this whole issue, and I did lose a significant amount of money, but I'm not sweating it. I did what I had to do to take care of this...and I'll wait to see the results.
Let's just say the service hasn't responded in the way I'd like, but they have protocols. Another incident didn't happen directly with the service, but with my own bank and I believe it was a result of what happened to me with the service that I'm not naming.
All I can do is wait and see what happens. As I said in the post, I've learned an awful lot through this experience. An awful lot. And I will use my bank's "secure" system for paying my bills online. I really did lose a bit of money...but yo, I got my health, I got my life and as it is that's too short for me to sweat this. I put the inquiries and investigations into motion and now all I gotta do is wait.
posted by lynne | June 16, 2003 2:49 AM #
It's good to see that you are okay about it. You definitely have a positive spirit.
But me, personally, I'll be going off da chain! Heads will be rollin'. Belie dat! -- straight journo thug on a nicca. (Hee Hee)
Anyway, keep your head up and keep us inform on anything that you can pass on to us -- without getting into any legal troubles.
I'm not too fond with with paying bills online. But I know a lot of people who do.
Just protect yourself, mommie. Yeah, I know money isn't everything . . . but . . . ah, let me move on.
You have a very strong positive spirit.
It's admirable . . .
Keep doing your thing and don't stop.
Peace
posted by Trent | June 16, 2003 5:44 PM #
I am SO sorry to hear about your misfortune...as a another little tip...Contact the 3 bureaus to put fraud alerts on your credit reports. The personal information you used to open the online account could potentially be compromised and used to sabotage your personal credit. I am not trying to scare you but just giving you a heads up. Stay strong, try to stay patient and get ready to fill out a bunch of paperwork.
Be blessed!
posted by Tiffany | June 17, 2003 5:20 PM #
Thanks Tiffany. Actually I am cool in that area, I use this creditnotify co. and fortunately for me...I didn't give away all of my info...just a little. I have reports filed on three specific transactions. But definitely thanks for looking out, b/c someone did try to go that route...and fortunately I used a card that was maxed and didn't have much to begin with. The main problem was them getting info relating to my bank, and I've closed my account already. Both my bank and the financial service I used have investigations pending.
posted by lynne | June 18, 2003 1:45 AM #
praying that the Creator return all that has been stolen from you... with interest!
be encouraged, sista lynne. you good people and your good works will be rewarded.
posted by nakachi | June 18, 2003 7:42 AM #