Fraud - Identity Theft And Fraud

Identity theft and fraud is when someone illegally obtains someone else's personal information such as social security number and possibly credit card information for the purposes of some sort of economic gain.

Besides social security number and credit card info, other personal pieces of information that a someone might steal to commit identity fraud are your bank account number and telephone calling card number. The stealing of this information leads to a number of crimes such as illegally transferring funds from your bank account, using your telephone card to make phone calls and the worst case scenario, using your credit card number to run up large debts on your account. This is the most common type of identity fraud. Some people even go as far as committing crimes using a person's personal identification such as stolen car and drivers license. Then when the police go knocking on a door it's your door they end up knocking on. Sometimes the damage done is so extensive that the person's credit rating is destroyed and in many cases the person's life is in ruins.

So what does one do to prevent against identity theft? Actually there are a number of precautions you can take that, while they don't guarantee it won't happen to you, can greatly decrease the chances of you being a victim of identity fraud.

For starters, be very stingy about giving out your personal information to anyone, especially if they are asking for it for something that seems like it may be a scam, like if somebody tells you that they've got a sure fire way for you to make $10,000 real fast and all you have to do is give them your credit card number. This should be a warning sign that should light up the sky for you. Don't ever fall for these scams.

If someone calls you at home and says they are from your bank and need some information from you, this is most likely an attempt to get your personal info as the bank should have everything it needs on file already.

If someone calls you on the phone and says you are eligible to win some terrific prize and to qualify for it all you need to do is give them your credit card number, again, this is most likely a scam as there is no reason for you to have to give out that information if you have truly won a prize. Never fall for this one.

If you're traveling, only take what you absolutely must have with you. It's best to get travelers checks instead of carrying around a credit card. Travelers checks are insured and you won't end up running up a big debt from a lost or stolen credit card. Also, the less ID you carry with you the less chance that it can be gotten from you unless someone cracks open your head and drains the info from you.

The bottom line is to just be careful with who you trust and what you trust them with. By doing this you stand the best chance of avoiding being the victim of identity fraud.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Fraud

The Business of Identity Theft

Q: I use PayPal to accept credit cards for my online collectibles business. I recently received an email that my PayPal account was going to expire in five days if I didn't click a link in the email and give them my PayPal account information. Being naturally paranoid I decided not to give this information and I'm happy to say that my PayPal account did not expire. Was this a scam? -- Brenda A.

A: Be thankful that your paranoia kicked in, Brenda, because you were about to fall victim to the scam of the week, this one aimed at the 35 million merchants and individuals who use Paypal.com as their online payment processor.

The email you received was not from PayPal, but from an Internet bad guy behind a forged email address using the PayPal.com domain. You should understand that no reputable online company will ever ask you to provide your account information. Think about it. They already have this information. Why would they ask you to provide it.

Since I use PayPal for several of my online ventures, I, too, received the email in question. The email first seeks to instill fear in you by saying that your PayPal account will be closed if you do not provide personal information. You are then directed to open an attached executable file and enter your PayPal account information and other personal information that PayPal doesn't even require, including your social security number, checking and savings account information, driver's license number, and other personal information that can be used to clean out your PayPal account and perhaps even steal your identity.

If you're not familiar with PayPal, it is a hugely successful, web-based company (purchased by eBay in 2002) that many online retailers and eBay sellers use to accept electronic payments for everything from newsletter subscriptions to consulting services to just about any product for sale on eBay.

The allure of PayPal is that it does not require the seller to have a bank merchant account through which to process credit cards. Anyone with a verifiable email address and bank account can use PayPal and the service can be implemented almost immediately after registering.

When someone places an order on a website that uses PayPal for online payments, that customer is directed to PayPal.com to complete the payment process using a credit card or electronic check. The merchant can transfer the money collected in his PayPal account to his checking account any time he likes. Since many larger merchants make this transfer just once a week or so, their PayPal accounts are ripe for the picking from those who have the cunning and lack of ethics required to gain access.

The shear number of PayPal customers is one reason it has become a popular target of scam artists trying to steal personal information from individuals and businesses alike.

Identify theft is on the rise. Thanks to the Internet stealing someone's identity has never been easier. At any given moment, there are any number of Internet thieves using all manner of high tech wizardry to steal personal and business information from unsuspecting souls, and many times they can gain access to this information simply by asking the person to provide it through fraudulent means.

The PayPal scam is just the latest in a long line of sophisticated attempts to steal personal information through online means, Amazon, eBay, Dell Computer, and many others have been the brunt of many such scams in recent years.

Identity theft is what's known as a knowledge crime, which means that the criminal doesn't have to break into your house to rob you blind. If you have a bank account and a social security number, you are susceptible to identity theft.

While most people are familiar with identity theft, most business men and women never think about it happening to them, at least on a professional level. Consider this: if a criminal can learn your business checking account number or the number of your company credit card, they can steal far more from your business than if they had simply knocked down the door and carted off your desk.

The Internet aside, most business and personal identity theft is still the result of stolen wallets and dumpster diving. You should guard your business records closely and be very careful what you throw away. Stop and think for a moment what a criminal might find in the dumpster behind your office.

There's a good chance that dumpster has, at various times, contained scraps of paper with your social security number, driver's license number, credit card number, old ATM cards, telephone calling cards, and other pieces of vital business information like bank statements, invoices, and purchase orders. A dumpster-diving thief could literally rob your business blind in a matter of hours.

Here are a few ways to protect yourself from business and personal identity theft.

* Never give out your first name, last name, business name, email address, account passwords, credit card numbers, bank account information, PIN number, social security number, or driver's license number.

* Change your online account passwords every 30 days. Believe it or not, a hacker who steals your personal information can guess your online account passwords in about two minutes. If your Charles Schwab online account password is your birthday or the name of your first born or family pet, count on a hacker cracking that code faster than you can say 'Bill Gates.'

* Never provide personal information in response to an email or telephone call. Just because someone calls and says they are from Dunn & Bradstreet and need to confirm your business information does not mean they are really from Dunn & Bradstreet.

* Never give your business credit card number over the phone to place an order with someone who has called you unsolicited. If you are interested in what they are selling get their number, check out their company, then call them back to place the order.

If you think that you have become the victim of identity theft or think someone is trying to steal your identity or personal information you should report them immediately to the Federal Trade Commission. You will find more information on their website at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/. For more information on what to do if identity theft happens to you visit http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17a.htm.

So, if you ever receive an email from PayPal, Amazon, eBay, or any other ecommerce website asking you to update your account information by email you can pretty much bet the farm that it is a scam.

In business, as in life, a little paranoia is a good thing.

Tim is written by veteran entrepreneur and syndicated columnist, Tim Knox. Tim Knox is the founder of DropshipWholesale.net, an online

organization dedicated to the success of online and eBay

entrepreneurs. Related Links: http://www.prosperityandprofits.com

http://www.smallbusinessqa.com http://www.dropshipwholesale.net

Identity Theft Scams

Identity Theft scams continue to flourish on the web. One that you need to be aware of and beware of is any site that seems to be selling high-demand items (digital cameras for instance) at a much lower (almost unbelievable) price than you can find on other sites or the manufacturers site.

Often the victims are told to pay nothing until they receive the merchandise. The person behind the scam uses the victims name and a credit card number belonging to another person to purchase the item at a legitimate site.

Once the item is shipped, the victim then authorizes his credit card to be billed or sends payment directly to the scammer. The scammer has now put you in the position of being in receipt of stolen merchandise while they get away with your money.

Another scam that still seems to be working is being contacted through e-mail by someone claiming to be from your credit card company, your internet service provider, Paypal, or Ebay.

The scammer will send a message stating that your account information needs to be verified because their files were hacked into, their database crashed or they believe that someone has tried to steal your account information and they want to verify your information in order to protect your account. The con artist then uses the information supplied to verify your account to run up fraudulent charges.

NEVER give personal information to a company, such as AOL or Ebay, that already has it. If you are suspicious about being contacted, contact the company yourself before giving out any personal information.

Get your FREE credit report online now and subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter TO YOUR CREDIT.

Visit http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com for more information.

jimdim815@aol.com

Prevent Identity Theft by Checking Your Credit Report

You may not know it but you are entitled to a free copy ofyour credit report once a year from Equifax, Experian andTrans Union!

These three major credit reporting companies, maintain aprofile of how you pay your bills, what type of mortgageloan you qualify for and whether you've been sued or filedfor bankruptcy.

However, this free credit reporting service is not availablein all areas of the United States yet.

The service has been available in the twelve western UnitedStates since January 1, 2005. It is now available inMidwestern states since March 1, 2005.

On June 1, 2005 the service will be available to individualsin Southern United States and for those in the EasternUnited States starting September 1, 2005.

This service is provided under the Fair and Accurate CreditTransactions Act (FACT).It is in response to the raising number of identity thiefreported in the U.S.

The law lets you see what lenders, prospective employers orprospective landlords see.

An addition goal is to help you spot identity theft byletting you to see a list of all credit accounts open inyour name. For you to view your report regularly may be thebest ways you have to determine how your credit ratingstands and if you have been a victim of identity theft.

You have the ability to request one credit report from eachof the three credit reporting companies once a year.

The best way to make the most of this free credit reportopportunity is by ordering a credit report from one of thethree credit companies every three-four months. In that wayyou can monitor your credit regularly at no cost.

The official website that you can get your credit reportinformation is -- www.annualcreditreport.com.

Once you are at the site, you will able to link to the threecredit companies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, specialweb pages to get your credit report.

However, be aware of the advertising on each agency's freecredit report site that may lead you to believe that youmust purchase one or more of there other services, like yourpersonal credit score number, to get your free creditreport.

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act does notprevent these credit reporting companies from advertisingtheir other services before you are able to get to your freecredit report.

When you are at one of the credit reporting companys sitepages it is not clear that you may get your free creditreport without purchasing any of the companys otherservices.

As you visit the credit reporting companys site you may getthe impression that you must pay to see your credit score(also called a FICO score) before you are able to see yourfree credit report.

This is not the case, your credit score is the numbercalculated on a scale between about 300 and 925. It is usedwhen you're buying a new car, house or other majorpurchases. You'll still have to pay one of the creditcompanies a fee to see that number. This credit score numberis different from the information within your free creditreport.

The official site is separate from the credit reportingcompanies regular sites, where you still must pay to getyour credit information.

In addition, there are a few look-alike sites you mayconfuse with the official free credit report site. Theseother sites may have been setup for outright credit fraud.Be very careful that you are working with the official sitesetup and maintained by Central Source, a joint ventureamong the three credit companies to process these freecredit reports -- www.annualcreditreport.com. If you receivean offer through the mail, via phone call or an email toprovide your credit report for a fee, it is probablyfraudulent.

Here's how to Request your free Credit Report

Online: www.annualcreditreport.com.

Or you can call toll-free: 877-322-8228

Or order by mail:Annual Credit Report Request Service,P.O. Box 105281,Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

If you request report by mail you must mail in a requestform available on the site of the Federal Trade Commission:

www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/docs/factactrequestform.pdf

The reports are sent to you within 15 days.

If you're ordering your report online, it's best to go tothe www.annualcreditreport.com site directly rather than togo through the one of the three credit reporting companyssites. You may get your free report at their sites but youfirst must go through their advertising for monthlycredit-monitoring programs and other services they offer toget your free report.

If you do this inquiry online, be sure to do your inquiryfrom your home computer because you'll need to have certainfinancial information handy to answer security questions.

You'll be asked a series of personal questions to make sureyou are the person that you say you are, including yourbirth date and Social Security number.

Central Source says its security protocols and measuresprotect personal information from unauthorized access orrecord alteration. In addition, your Social Security numberis encrypted for your additional protection.

And you can request that just the last four digits of thatnumber appear on your printed credit report.

As mentioned above, you may request one report from eachcredit company once a year. To get the best use of this freeservice, it's best to request your credit report from onecredit company this month and request your credit reportfrom another credit company about three-four months latter.Then request the third version of your report aboutthree-four months after that.

After you request the credit company that you want toprovide your credit report you'll be redirected to specialsite pages set up by each of the three credit companies.Each will ask you a series of personal questions to validateyour identity; the name of your mortgage lender, the amountof your monthly payment, the amount of your auto loan, etc.

Each of the three has a different look and feel:

~ Experian has a handy summary report that shows the numberof "potentially negative" items in your report and number ofaccounts in good standing.

~ Equifax shows an exhaustive list of accounts, what typethey are, when they were opened, the balance and creditlimit, last payment and account status.

~ TransUnion uses a color-coded series of boxes to showwhich accounts are current and which are overdue.

All three show who else has been looking at your creditreport, credit card companies seeking to approve you for acredit card offer, mortgage brokers, lenders trying todetermine the terms of a loan, or existing creditorsreviewing your account.

You can choose to just look at the information online orprint the complete report. Your credit report may be dozensof pages long to view or print.

All three offer links for disputing credit reportinformation or reporting an error. You'll also get theaddress and sometimes the phone number for each individualcreditor, handy if you need to follow up on an error.

You are also offered the option of submitting a "personalstatement" where you can explain your credit report in yourown words. The statement remains on file for two years.

Your basic credit report is free but as you go about gettingto your credit information, you'll have to contend withmultiple offers for fee-based products and services. You donot have to buy any of them to get your free credit report.The credit companies have loaded their pages with offers formonthly credit-report alerts, credit rankings, homevaluators or credit score.

Summery: Getting Your Credit Report

Free credit reports can be obtained once a year bytelephone, by mail or online from the official site operatedby Central Source for Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

~ Online: www.annualcreditreport.com

~ Toll-free number: 877.322.8228

~ Mailing address:Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281,Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

It will take up to 15 days to process phone and mailrequests.

You do not have to pay anything to get your free creditreport.

However, if you want to get a credit score or other extras,you may be charged a fee.

Additional reports can be obtained anytime directly from thecredit reporting companies at prices ranging from $9 for onereport from one agency to $34.95 for a combined report fromall three.

If you want to receive the reports by mail, you must mail ina request form available on the site of the Federal TradeCommission:www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/docs/factactrequestform.pdf

For more information: Check out the FTC's site:www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.htm

You can also make a complaint online at that site address.

Credit Report Tips

You don't have to order all three reports at once. Staggeryour requests so you can view your credit over the year;i.e.: order one report now, the next report in three monthsand the third report in about six months. Then next year youwould be eligible for another free report from the firstcredit company. This currently only applies to those in theWestern and Midwestern U.S. The rest of the county will haveto want until their regional roll-out.

If you are planning a major purchase, you may want to getall three reports at once to make sure there isn't anyinformation that might affect your credit.

Read the report to make sure everything is accurate. Eachagency has an address or number you can call to reporterrors. If you are disputing an item listed, the creditagency is required to investigate. Inaccurate, incomplete orunverifiable information must be removed or corrected,usually within 30 days. For more information oncredit-report disputes, go online to the Federal TradeCommission at www.ftc.gov/credit.

If you have any technical problems, you get kicked off thesite, you never get a report requested by phone or mail, oryou only get one of the three reports you request -- writeto the joint mailing address, Annual Credit Report RequestService, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281, andexplain the problem.

If you have been the victim of identity theft, you areeligible to get a free credit report from all the agencieseven if you've already received your free annual reportunder the program.

If you have complaints about the program, contact the FTConline at www.ftc.gov/credit then click on "File aComplaint." or you can write to FTC Consumer ResponseCenter, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room 130, Washington,D.C. 20580. You can also send a written complaint to theofficial credit-report site at the Atlanta address listedabove.

Steven Presar is a recognized small business technology coach, Internet publisher, author, speaker, and trainer. He provides personal, home, and computer security solutions at www.ProtectionConnect.com. He provides business software reviews at www.OnlineSoftwareGuide.com. In addition, he publishes articles for starting and running a small business at www.Agora-Business-Center.com. Be sure to sign-up for the SOHO newsletter at this site.

Identity Theft and Your Online Job Search

While identity theft is nothing new, the Web has opened up whole new world of opportunity for identity thieves.According the FBI, identity theft is the top online fraud. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is its number one source

While identity theft is nothing new, the Web has opened up whole new world of opportunity for identity thieves.

According the FBI, identity theft is the top online fraud. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is it's number one source of consumer complaints - 42 percent of all complaints, in 2001.

The thief will use your personal information to open credit card accounts, cell phone accounts, open bank accounts in your name and write bad checks-leaving the victim with the bills and ruined credit ratings. Identity thieves may pose as representatives of banks, Internet service providers and even government agencies to get you to reveal your Social Security number, mother's maiden name, financial account numbers and identifying information.

In a recent article, MSNBC reported the case of a man who fell victim to a fraudulent job listing that was posted at Monster.com. According to the article: "It was just the job lead Jim needed: a marketing manager position with Arthur Gallagher, a leading international insurance broker. And only days after Jim responded to the job posting on Monster.com, a human resources director sent along a promising e-mail. We're interested in you, the note said. The salary is negotiable, the clients big. In fact, the clients are so valuable and sensitive that you'll have to submit to a background check as part of the interview process. Eager for work, Jim complied- and sent off just about every key to his digital identity, including his age, height, weight, Social Security number, bank account numbers, even his mother's maiden name."

Jim spent the day canceling his credit cards, checking his balances and contacting the credit bureaus, but he's concerned that his information is now "out there".

There are warning signs that can tip you off to fraudulent job listings. While these items don't necessarily mean that the listing is a scam, they are indications that you should do further checking.

Incorrect grammar and spelling errors Phone or fax number area codes don't match the address given Unrealistic salary

Online job databases are not the only places that identity thieves cruise for personal information. In recent indictments across the U.S., individuals have been charged with obtaining and using personal information through various ways. In Miami, two individuals were indicted for illegally tapping the computer networks of restaurants using the cover of a dummy corporation. A clerical worker at the New York State Insurance Fund pilfered office files and used stolen identities (of people across the country as well as fellow office workers) to obtain goods and services. A phlebotomist at Kaiser Permanente admitted to using the personal information of patients and employees in order to open credit card accounts in various names.

Recently, an FTC investigation into a work-at-home scheme spawned an incredible "scam-within-a-scam" when a man pretending to be an FTC employee emailed hundreds of the scam's victims. He requested personal information stating that it was to be used as evidence in the case.

While it's impossible to completely eliminate the chances of becoming a victim, you can minimize the risk by putting the following to practice:

If a would-be employer asks you for any personal information you should ask them for their contact information and then separately look up the company's information and contact them to verify that they actually exist. While it's not unusual for an employer to ask for certain work-related information (like your work history and former employers), it is not appropriate for them to ask for personal information (like a social security number) unless you are actually being hired (and you've checked them out to make sure they're legitimate). Even then, you should never be asked for financial information such as a credit card number. On online resumes, never include your social security number and keep even your work history brief. Check your credit card statements often. Believe it or not, many people never even check them! Be sure to follow up with creditors if your bill doesn't arrive on time. A missing credit card bill may mean that an identity thief has changed your billing address to cover their tracks. Order your credit report from one of the major credit bureaus each year and verify that everything is correct.

What to do if you've been a victim of identity theft:

The FTC maintains Consumer Sentinels Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, the nations repository for identity theft complaints. The FTC established the Identity Theft Toll-Free Hotline, 1.877.IDTHEFT (1.877.438.4338) and the ID Theft Website (www.consumer.gov/idtheft) to give identity theft victims a central place to report their problems and receive helpful information.

The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). You can use their online system to file a complaint.
Sharon Davis is the owner of 2Work-At-Home.Com and the Editor of the site's monthly ezine, America's Home. In her spare time she reminisces about what it was like to have spare time. To subscribe to her free ezine, Click Here

Sharon Davis, Work-At-Home expert, author and consultant, helps people to achieve their goal of working at home, telecommuting or starting a home business. http://www.2Work-At-Home.com List of other articles of interest: http://www.2work-at-home.com/freecontent.shtml Subscribe to her free ezine: http://www.2work-at-home.com/subscribe.shtml

Identity Theft Exploding: Heres How you can Avoid Becoming a Victim

 Americans are more concerned about identity theft than unemployment or corporate fraud, according to a survey of 2,000 people conducted by Star Systems.

Nine out of ten Americans demand new federal legislation, while two-thirds say the financial services industry needs to do a better job of verifying the identity of customers who open bank accounts (66 percent) and credit card accounts (72 percent).

Some 5.6 percent of respondents reported being victims of identity theft, which translates to 12 million people. When debit and credit card fraud and identity theft were combined, close to 15.9 percent of consumers say they have been the victim of one of these crimes. (Source: Star Systems, 2003)

For most of us, using your debit or credit card to make a purchase has become an every day aspect of life. Many of us do it every day and feel safe in doing so.

But it is far from safe. People with your debit or credit card information may make purchases with your card information over the telephone, via the Internet, or at a local retail store.

As we moved to a cashless system of transactions by debit or credit card, a relatively simple crime niche has grown identity theft and fraud.

Some law enforcement authorities are not pursuing the crime in a coordinated and cooperative fashion. Thus, a situation has grown that affords the people who perpetrate such acts of theft and fraud, act with a degree of confidents that they will not get caught.

What can you do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud?

Here is a list of actions that you can take to avoid becoming a victim of identity crimes.

1. Never throw receipts or statements away that have personal information on them. The trash is the greatest repository of information for the identity thief. Even better, shred everything that has identifying information on it (transaction receipts, etc.).

2. Pay to have an unlisted telephone number in your local telephone directory.

3. Take as much identification off of your personal checks and drivers license as possible. Thus, no home addresses, phone numbers, or social security numbers on personal checks. Last only your last name and first initial rather than your full name. You want a retail clerk to check your ID when you are cashing a check.

Most states now provide a photo ID on all new automobile drivers licenses issued. If you do not have one, conceder getting your licenses renewed now to get a photo ID for identification purposes. Do not put your social security number on your drivers license.

4. Check your bank accounts for suspicious activity everyday, this can be done online via the Internet.

5. Have your middle initial removed from all public documentation if possible. Middle initials help identity thieves narrow down their searches for victims.

6. If someone calls you asking for your personal information on the telephone do not provide any personal information to anyone over the phone.

7. Dont leave your mail out overnight. If you will be away from home for any period of time: have your home mail delivery stopped. If possible, secure a locked mail box at your local post office or a retail store mail box service for your home mail delivery.

If you go on vacation, have your mail and newspaper delivery stopped and arrange to have your yard maintained. Include the post office, newspaper service, and your friends or neighbors to insure that your home looks as if it is occupied while you are gone.

For a checklist for your home security while you are away see www.ProtectionConnect.com/homesecuritychecklist.html or www.ProtectionConnect.com/sitemap.html#home

8. Write Check ID on the back of your debit or credit cards next to your signature. In that way, when a retail store checks your signature on your card, they will verify that the card is being used by the proper individual.

9. Be aware of people standing too close to you and shoulder surfing you while you conduct your ATM transactions.

If you do become a victim of an identity crime do the following:

1. Demand to file a police report no matter how unwilling the law enforcement office may be. Make sure to get a copy or at least the report number.

2. In the case of card fraud, make sure to cancel your card and report it as stolen to your credit card company as soon as you find out.

Immediately, fill out affidavits with the appropriate financial institution denying that you were the one who made the relevant purchases. In most cases, the banks will respond with up to a 30-day process that requires the businesses that accepted the fraudulent transactions to repay the banks.

3. Report the fraud to the three major credit bureaus:

~ TransUnion

Post Office Box 2000

Chester, PA 19022

~ Equifax,

Equifax Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc

Post Office Box 740241

Atlanta, GA 30374

1.888.766.0008

~ Experian

Consumer Information

Post Office Box 1909

Orange, CA 92865

4. The U.S. Secret Service handles fraud cases that cross state borders. If you know that your case applies, contact their local office to make them aware of your case. If it is part of a broader fraud case, you may be contacted by an agent.

5. You can also fill out a complaint form with the Federal Trade Commission, although this is strictly used to track national identity theft statistics.

Steven Presar is a recognized small business technology coach, Internet publisher, author, speaker, and trainer. He provides personal, home, and computer security solutions at www.ProtectionConnect.com. He provides business software reviews at www.OnlineSoftwareGuide.com. In addition, he publishes articles for starting and running a small business at www.abcResults.com. Be sure to sign-up for the SOHO newsletter.