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[S211]Search For Lost Money

by Darlene Berkel, Dar

One of the most common, and thankfully easily avoided forms of online identity theft is a technique known to the industry as 'phishing'. A phishing attack involves sending out huge numbers of emails which pretend to be from a popular online retailer, an auction site such as eBay, or a bank or online wallet site. The email will usually say that the customers account has been suspended, or that they need to update their details. When the user clicks a link in the email they will be taken to a fake page that looks just like the login page of that company. When the user logs in, they will be giving away their personal details to the identity thief.

Some of the emails give themselves away instantly through spelling mistakes and poor grammar, others are very convincing on first glance, and it is easy to understand how these attacks manage to fool a huge number of people.

Do Not Trust Emails Asking For Personal Information

When you click a link in a 'phishing' email, the page you are taken to will ask you to enter account information, password and other personal information such as a credit card number, checking account information and social security number along with other items. Entering this information and submitting it will give the person committing online identity theft all the resources needed to access your accounts, or open new ones in your name or even change your mailing address.

Most online companies tell their customers that to prevent online identity theft always log on to their website by typing the address in yourself, not by clicking a link in the email to see if the requested information is really needed. Chances are it isn't, and you should then forward them the email so appropriate action can be taken.

Failure to take even the simplest of precautions can open the door for online identity theft which will attempt to cheat you out of your money by establishing transfers from your checking or savings account put charges on your credit card or simply add a new address and have all merchandise of cash advances sent to the new address.

Most banks will work with victims of online identity theft to help them get their money back, however it can take a lot of time for them to trace transactions and verify the things you tell them. Make sure you check your credit report and your bank statements frequently, and query any unusual transactions with your bank. If you suspect that something is wrong, act immediately, and contact the Federal Trade Commission to make the first steps in regaining your financial identity.

The reasons they leave ?home? are as varied as there are people who do! But one thing is certain; those who move away are looking towards the future. Not to the past. In turn many thousands lose contact either by chance or by choice with the passing of time.

Our forever changing society has resulted in the fact that most people do not have the slightest idea who, where most of their relatives are! Think of it! Do you personally know all of your relatives? That includes aunts, great- aunts, uncles and great-uncles, half- brothers and sisters, grandparents, great-grandparents etc etc. The answer for most people is an unequivocal now.

Grandparents generally have some sketchy ideas about the long-range past, but if one asks for information regarding missing or l ?long lost relatives? it never comes up. And once the grandparents are gone chances are that you will never know.

So why is all this important? Because ?lost? works both ways. Either you have long lost relatives or you yourself are a lost relative if someone who would like to get in touch with you. It could well mean ? ?untold? wealth that is just waiting to be discovered.

Imagine for a moment that a great-uncle, who has survived and aunt dies and has named you as the sole heir to his entire estate of 2 million dollars. However no one, including the great- uncle knew where you were. After a half-hearted search, the attorneys will take their fees from the estate and the balance will go to the states: unclaimed money account?. Or if you reside in Canada to the ?Bank of Canada?.

It has been estimated that over $ 250,000,000,000 in unclaimed money is being held by the U.S.?s individual states and upward of $ 500,000,000 by the Banks of Canada.

In Canada, all financial institutions are required by law to submit the names and last known address of accounts that have been inactive for at least seven years. After that period of time, the financial institution has already sent out two notices. One is sent out after two years of inactivity, the next after five years. After the limit is reached all unclaimed funds are released to the Bank of Canada, but each account, as in the case of U.S. accounts remains in the name of the original holder.

In the United States, each state has a different standard of time variance, although many may be the same. However, all financial institutions including retirement funds, insurance companies, banks, county government offices etc are also required by law to report unclaimed money to the state. After a period of time as specified by law, the money is then turned over to the state treasury department unclaimed property division. In either case, to get their rightful money, all you need to do is locate it, and then ask for it.

Isn't it time you claimed your long lost money?

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Both Darlene Berkel & Amy F. Goodmann are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Darlene Berkel has sinced written about articles on various topics from Golf Guide, Health and Hawaii Vacation. Become a smarter traveler! Get great ,. Darlene Berkel's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.

Amy F. Goodmann has sinced written about articles on various topics from Education Toys, Cars and Check Credit Rating. . Amy F. Goodmann's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.