I have gotten pretty comfortable purchasing and doing research
over the Internet, and I have felt pretty safe doing it. In
addition to the virus software on our computers, a firewall and
popup stopper service have stopped some of the unsolicited attacks
and made being online much less annoying.

Heeding warnings regarding unsolicited e-mails, I open only the
e-mail attachments I am expecting from someone I know and never
give out personal information through e-mail. I thought I was doing
everything correctly.

That is until my PayPal account, which I use to purchase and
receive payment for items primarily over EBay, was
hijacked.

Someone gained access to my PayPal account and added their
e-mail address to my account. They somehow got my credit card
number, which I use, primarily online. That allowed them to
fraudulently identify themselves to PayPal as me.

Fortunately I caught the problem almost immediately after an
alert from PayPal, and checked it out. Two purchases were
attempted, both of less than $100. I closed the credit card and a
bank account that was associated with the PayPal account
immediately and turned in a fraud alert to PayPal.

I then called the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office fraud
department, who told me to contact each credit reporting agency, to
issue a fraud alert, even though each one says they will contact
the other two. The sheriff’s office also told me to contact the
Social Security Administration. I didn’t lose any money, but the
fact that someone got into these accounts scared me.

After this incident, my husband installed spy detection software
on our computers. He found 72 spies on my computer and about 100 on
his. Even though this software runs on each computer, I run it
periodically and continue to find spy software that has somehow
found its way onto my computer.

A word to the wise. In addition to following all the precautions
regarding keeping your personal information safeguarded, it might
be a good idea to get some spy software and see if someone is
spying on you.

If you experience a fraud or if you want to order a credit
report, the following is how to contact the three major
credit-reporting agencies by phone.

You are entitled to one free credit report from each company per
year. Credit information can be different from each of the
companies.

Equifax – To report frauds, call (800) 525-6285; to order a
credit report, call (800) 685-1111

Experian – To report frauds or request a credit report, call
(800) 397-3742.

TransUnion – To report frauds, call (800) 680-7289; to request a
credit report, call (800) 916-8800.

To contact the Social Security Administration, call (800)
772-1213.

On a lighter note:

The concert last Saturday by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra was
wonderful as usual, in spite of the earlier rain. Thanks to the
City of Lone Tree and all who continue to organize the concerts in
the park.

Just a reminder to meet at the Acres Green Elementary School
parking lot for the children’s parade at 10 a.m. July 4.

The Lone Tree “Old Town” parade begins at 4 p.m. Activities in
Sweetwater Park will be under way about 4 p.m. as well.

Keep reading!

Jean Henke is a resident of Acres Green.