15 Nov 2023
Are you one of those who make an online money transfer to Gambia to their families and are scared of online identity theft? You and your family can engage in a variety of entertaining activities on the internet, including social media sharing and online shopping. However, it's good to be aware of what less honourable characters are getting up to so you can enjoy every second of it.
It's essential to safeguard your online identity from potential threats and cybercriminals if you're a Gambian expat living abroad. Given the rising prevalence of online scams and identity theft, it is crucial to take proactive steps to protect your personal information. This thorough guide aims to give you insightful information and helpful pointers so you can safely move through the digital world.
Identity theft refers to any deception, fraud, or criminal act that results in the loss of personal information, such as usernames, passwords, banking details, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and health identification numbers, which is then used without your consent to commit fraud and other crimes.
According to the FTC1, at least 534 million personal records have been compromised since 2005 due to attacks on the databases of companies, government agencies, institutions, and organisations. All 310 million people in the United States would have had their identities stolen an average of one and a half times if those breaches were distributed equally among them.
Some consumers view identity theft as a bothersome inconvenience, but they can easily fix and regain their identity. Others may find that regaining their identity requires hundreds or even thousands of dollars, takes months to complete, severely harms their reputation, results in them losing job opportunities, and may even result in loan applications for schools, homes, or cars being rejected by potential employers or loan providers who notice the harm to your credit scores.
Some customers have even been detained for crimes committed by someone assuming their identity and have had to demonstrate their innocence.
You can help keep yourself safe online by learning the following advice:
Make sure potential sellers have a secure network and website by doing your research on them. Avoid purchasing from websites without secure socket layer (SSL) encryption enabled. To check if a site is SSL secured, look for the letter "s" at the beginning of the URL (HTTPS:// rather than HTTP://).
For more information on how the personal data you provide will be used, read the site's privacy statement.
When making purchases online, use just one credit card. When receiving statements, be sure to read them carefully to look for any suspicious or fraudulent charges or activity.
Visit the company's main website directly if you receive an email about sales or discounts from a specific retailer.
Regularly check your credit report, phone bills, utility bills, credit card bills, checking and savings account statements, loan account statements, savings account statements, and statements for any government benefits. Make sure you're using the most recent, secure international money transfer methods. Installing the ACE app on your phone will allow you to send money to Gambia online and take advantage of the newest security features.
Even though some phishing scams are simple to spot, other phishing attempts in emails, IM, social networking sites, or websites can look very authentic. Never click on a link that has been sent to you if you want to avoid falling victim to phishing scams. It might be from your bank, or it might not be, for instance, if the email claims to be from your bank, has all the correct logos, and is addressed to you by name. Use a search engine to find the website yourself rather than the one that is provided. By doing this, you can be sure you are on a real website, not a fake imitation.
Other security measures are useless if your phone or computer is infected with malicious software because you've given the bad guys access to all your online activities. Check to see if any operating system updates have been installed.
As you go through your accounts, be on the lookout for any new applications submitted in your name, unauthorised charges or withdrawals, letters from debt collection companies, invoices for accounts you didn't open, and unusual activity involving your Social Security number. Read ahead to learn things about secure money transfers that you may not have known.
Limit the personal information you post online. Social media platforms can be useful for networking, but the data you share is also vulnerable to identity theft. Making sure the most recent security features are installed can help. Do not keep personal data, account information, or personal identification numbers on your computer. Install antivirus and a firewall. This can help shield you from encountering malicious online attacks.
The simplest way to send money to your family and friends is through ACE Money Transfer if you're looking for a cheap and secure way to send money to Gambia to your family. You can send money to more than 100 different countries using the convenient mobile app. Simply use the ACE Money Transfer app if you're an expat and want to send money to family or friends who live in Africa, Asia, or Europe.
By keeping all software (including your web browser) up to date through automatic updating, you can lower your risk of identity theft. Install trustworthy antivirus and anti-spyware programs. Microsoft Defender Antivirus is already set up and activated on Windows. Maintain a firewall at all times.
When creating passwords, use a mix of symbols, numbers, and both uppercase and lowercase letters. Avoid using information that is simple to guess, and think about using a password manager to store and manage your passwords safely.
Use caution and refrain from clicking any links or submitting any personal data. Use alternative methods to confirm the sender's legitimacy, such as getting in touch with the company directly or visiting their website.
Two-factor authentication increases the security of your online accounts by requiring an additional method of verification, such as a temporary code sent to your mobile device. Even if your password is compromised, it aids in preventing unauthorised access.
Keep an eye out for any unusual transactions or indicators of identity theft by routinely checking your bank statements, credit reports, and online accounts. Any suspicious activity should be reported immediately to your financial institutions and the appropriate authorities.
