RESCUECOM Featured in Shreveport Times Interview

QUESTION:

What does Rescuecom do?

ANSWER: Rescuecom is a national computer repair and support company. They can be on site in less than an hour in an emergency -- if your home computer, business network or any important technology crashes.

Q: When did the Shreveport franchise open?

A: The Shreveport franchise opened in April 2006.

Q: What's the contact information?

A:(206) 436-4645 and www.rescuecom.com. All calls and requests for service through the Web site are sent through the company's Syracuse, N.Y., headquarters. A live person answers calls 24/7.

Q: What type of identity theft does Rescuecom provide protection against?

A: About 12 percent of identity theft cases are traced back to online activity, although in almost half of identity theft cases, the origin cannot be traced. So we should assume this is happening more often than we know. Your identity can be stolen or compromised through several online activities, including using Wi-Fi hot spot or failing to have the proper anti-spyware installed on your computer.

Q: What can the individual do to be safe?A: These simple steps are critical in reducing your chances of being an online victim of identity theft.

DO:

• Get a copy of your credit report, but save it to an external disk or other device.
• Make sure you have the latest antivirus and anti-spyware programs on your computer.
• Ensure you update your computer when Microsoft tells you it has new updates available and make sure your Windows updates are configured properly.
• Password protect all your sensitive files.
• Be cautious when using a Wi-Fi hot spot. Make sure you are on a secure network (usually paid or requiring a password).

DON'T:

• Respond to any e-mails from your bank. If you think the e-mail is legitimate, call your bank's customer service number.
• Send any personal information over a wireless network; avoid paying bills online at a hot spot.
• Perform any financial transactions in a hot spot. Unless you know the Web site has an SSL-encrypted connection (look for the "lock icon" at the bottom right hand of the screen or the letter 's' after http), any financial transaction is a huge risk.
• Let your antivirus software expire. An unprotected computer will be infected with a virus or spyware within about 15 seconds of being online.
• Instant-message or talk to anyone online you've not met before. Social sites and instant messengers often are prime grounds for fraudsters and identity thieves posing as others.