Some tips for spam email etc

Never click on links in spam

Unless you have subscribed to an email service within Australia such as a newsletter never send an unsubscribe or reply.

Never reply to anyone requesting your bank details unless you know them personally or they are or a registered business within Australia with an ABN.

Never send your password!!!

Never keep your bank details (user number + password) on your computer. Never leave associated passwords lying around your house or office. Change passwords often with alpha-numerical sequences.  eg: Xirtatlas1973

Your credit card is as good as cash if left somewhere obtainable by other people including your children.

Card fraud is higher in the physical world than over the net.  When your credit card details are sent over the net via "secure" (https://) connection to make a purchase it is encrypted at 128 bit.  128 bit is only crackable by a few supercomputers in the world.  It then goes the equivilent of numerous post offices to the destination as encrypted packets a bit like putting through a shredder and sending each piece in individual envelopes to the recipient with a special key to open each individual letter.  Better still Australian registered businesses with an ABN provide much better protection.

A common thing is for people to ring up and want to order with their card via the phone because they feel it is safer than the internet.  "Phone" credit card transactions are one of the highest forms of attempted card fraud by criminals.

Any email that is sent that promises money, a direct line with Bill Gates or 10 friends for good luck can be typically analysed here.  Look for Australian customised versions from other continents.  Even heart string partitions can be very bogus.

http://www.snopes.com