Your Cell Phone May Be Tracked

The next time you hit the local mall, you might be followed by some folks who are interested in the way you shop. They might follow along as you move from store to store, making notes as you stop for 5 minutes for a coffee and then spend 30 minutes shopping for electronics. It turns out, this information is extremely valuable to the folks who operate malls and to the stores that rent space within them.

This is all possible since you are carrying around your personal "homing" device. Its called a cell phone. Although you might not realize it, your cell phone is sending out signals as long as it is turned on. Some companies are developing new tools and technology to allow their customers to track cell phone signals throughout any physical space, such as a mall. Using this technology, they can track many different signals at once and build detailed profiles of traffic. Pretty nifty stuff.

Some people may find this tracking an invasion of their privacy. There are certainly a variety of legal issues involved in tracking phone signals to individual users without their consent. Others may think its pretty cool and only serves to make their shopping experience better. I'll let you make the call. The purpose of this tip is to make sure you are aware that this can be happening.

Security Tip: Be aware that your cell phone may be used to track your location and behavior in the physical world. You don't even have to be making a call. If you don't want to contribute to the collective data gathering - you can always turn off your phone!

International Call Forwarding Scam

Hacking into and messing with phone systems has always been an interest to criminals. There are many scams to try to either get free phone calls, or to trick you into calling pay services. This one comes directly from AT&T. The basic idea is that the criminal tricks you into forwarding your phone to one of their lines. Here’s how it works:

You may receive an automated message on your telephone that says you have won a prize or money. The message directs you to dial a 2-digit code preceded or followed by the * or # key (such as *79 or 72#), and then an 800 number to claim your prize. When you dial the number, you are not connected to anyone. What this procedure has done, though, is program your telephone to forward your calls to a long distance operator. Con artists can then call your number, be forwarded to the long-distance operator and place calls that are billed to your home telephone number.

Security Tip: Know the numbers used for call forwarding from your local telephone company. If you receive a call that requests a two-digit command followed by # or *, simply hang up. If you receive this message on your answering machine, do not place this call. No legitimate sweepstakes or contest would likely contact you in this manner.

Related Tips: "Watch out for fake phone numbers"

No need to register your cell phone for Do-Not-Call

A number of emails have been circulating that warn you that your cell phone number is about to be released to telemarketers. The email has a number for the Do-Not-Call registry, claims that you must call from the actual cell phone number, and encourages you to forward this to all of your friends.

While the email may be well-meaning, there are several problems to look out for here. First, it is good to be suspicious of any email that tells you you MUST follow a specific procedure that requires giving up personal information. There is a 99% chance that these are "phishing" emails that are tricks to get you to reveal your personal information. Another key to look for is the tell-tale request at the end of the message to "Send this to all your friends." In fact, if I wanted to steal a bunch of cell phone numbers, I couldn't think of a better method than this! Send out a fake email message that looks well-meaning, have everyone call a number and give up some personal information, and BINGO!

Finally this well-meaning email does not have any information that points to the REAL do-not-call registry. A quick check of the FTC web site reveals that there has been an email telling everyong to register their cell phones, and that this is not necessary. In fact, the FTC provides a helpful document called "the truth about cell phones and DO-NOT-CALL."

So in this case, a 5-second validation process allows you to potentially save your personal information once again.

A copy of the email I received is located below:
____________________________________

Subject: Cell phone numbers going public tomorrow

Cell phone numbers going public tomorrow REMINDER....all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies tomorrow and you will start to receive sale calls....YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS. To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222.It is the National DO NOT CALL list.

It will only take a minute of your time It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.

HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS. It take about 20 seconds.