id theft fraud prevention

Marcus Mcarthy asked:


Fraud is a problematical fact that we deal with in countries across the globe and despite the fact that it has been there in one shape or another throughout the years, its face is changing with technological improvements and has become a menace for phone customers. Agreed, technology gives various helpful advantages in our daily lives, but it poses several risks as well, threats we must all be aware of and know how to deal with. One such fraud is identity theft utilizing cellular phones, something that has become a bit of a phenomenon for customers in many countries worldwide.

Different aspects of your identity, like your name, address, phone and credit card numbers and even your national identity or social security number are utilized in corroborating consumers for Internet products and phone banking. To develop security quite a few organizations delegate inimitable pin codes for their users. Despite the fact that carrying out deals on the phone and Internet have become entirely indispensable, time conserving conveniences in our lives, think about what may perhaps occur if an individual got these details through some manipulative process or your carelessness. You may perhaps be deprived of a good amount of cash in the short run, with drawn out repercussions for something as significant as your financial rating. So how does cellular phone identity theft commonly take place?

One of the multitude of, but more conventional, practices is by getting in touch with a cellular phone customer acting like a supplier whose services you subscribe to. This could be a bank, cell phone operator or an Internet service supplier. Deploying a business like tone, fraudsters ask you for your private information declaring that you have attained a considerable amount of money or part of your account requires rectification. They communicate your private data attained from the Internet, because of your carelessness or even papers you have tossed out. The private data you so effortlessly offered is at once used against you and phone accounts you by no means registered for are now being utilized and charged in your name.

Another phone fraud that has also become somewhat widespread is counterfeiting mobile phone accounts by employing technology and transferring credit through a phone SMS message or business card. With the utilization of precise scanners, scam artists acquire your cell’s exclusive serial number and other information and encode one more phone to simulate the primary cell. The calls are subsequently invoiced to your account. In the instance of balance relocation, quite easily attainable as pre-paid services in many Asian countries, the cell user gets a business card with an eye catching name (usually sex related, so be careful guys) and what appears to be a series of numbers instead of the authentic phone number. When the business card is saved your pre-paid balance gets instantly passed on to the account of the individual mailing the business card.

So what can you do to prevent cell identity theft? Technology has come up with a solution part of the dilemma but straightforward details require to be taken care of to make sure you are not effortlessly victimized. By no means leave your cell laying around in work or public places. At all times keep your bills and any other detail showing fundamental private information stored in a safe area, and if you need to throw away fairly old papers make certain you shred or burn them. In no way confer private information in open areas or to unknown callers even if they claim to be a service provider. Carefully scrutinize the number or always convey the individual you will call back through established numbers if you feel the offer is a beneficial one. Make sure you obtain itemized bills and repeatedly examine for a abrupt increase in calls or billing.

Although these preventive practices are trouble-free they can be time consuming and agonizing. Remind yourself of the expenditure you may well get exposed to if you do not show concern for these helpful guidelines and the bearing it may well have on your financial rating in case of failure to pay massive fees. Perceive not being able to procure a cottage or a automobile because an individual stole your identity. I am rather sure no person wishes for that and don’t forget, it could easily happen to you.



Charlie

Shr3dh3d asked:


I know this has to be illegal like ID theft and fraud. Now to put the acoount in my name, I have to prove who I am and that it’s my SSN on the account. Is there anything I can legally do to him for this? Would this affect my credit if the account is in a bad standing?

Kathryn

Randy Vezina asked:


 

When a child is born, a parent may apply for a Social Security number for that child.  A child’s Social Security number is very much sought after by identity thieves.  The child identity thief could be a family member (uncle, aunt cousin), another adult who has access and is allowed in your home, someone who has stolen your mail or hacked into your computer.  We think we know who the child identity thief could be, but we don’t.

Most parents apply for the baby’s SSN so that they can claim the child on their taxes and you must submit the SSN on the official tax forms, so now, anybody who has the means to see that tax form can copy the child’s information.  The child’s identity could be stolen at the hospital or at a health professionals’ office.  What about the dishonest legal professional who sells the child’s identity to an unscrupulous client.  It does not matter what profession a person is in, they have the potential to be dishonest.

The thief could be anybody.  Typically, your not going to check your child’s credit rating (why would you), so your not going to know their identity has been stolen.  Now the identity thief has more than a decade to create a new identity for him and gain credit cards, loans, cell phones, utilities, bank accounts, drivers license etc. etc.  The crime is not discovered until your child has grown and applies for her first education loan, apartment, credit card or job!  By now, the trail has become ice cold and your child’s credit record has been cut to ribbons.  In all likelihood all of the accounts opened in her name have been purchased by a collection agency.

It would be very difficult for your child to repair what has happened because of the difficulty in tracking down the original loan applications and transaction records if the original account has been through several hands because of companies merging and being bought-up.  Our children need to be taught about the dangers of providing their personal information and your personal information when they are logged onto the net.  Today’s kids have a burning desire to log into the many chat rooms and social networking sites and they may be asked for personal information on a registration screen or by an identity thief.

The preventative identity theft company, LifeLock, has already launched the first-of-its-kind Children’s ID Theft Prevention Program.  Now, LifeLock’s subscribers can add the children’s ID theft program to their existing full suite of ID theft preventative services.  The children’s theft prevention program is for minors 16 years and younger.  A recent study in the state of Utah revealed that 1,800 Social Security numbers assigned to children 12 years of age and younger had been forged, according to the state’s Identity Theft Task Force.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has advised that between 5% and 7% of identity theft victims are under the age of 18 and if you include college-aged individuals, it is almost 20%.

“Due to the extreme increase in ID theft among minors, we have taken the initiative to develop a first-of-its-kind program to protect children,” said Todd Davis, CEO of LifeLock.  Tracking credit bureau activity and monitoring depository accounts are considered standard when dealing with identity theft.  But Davis insists that working with the Social Security Administration and identifying work activity from unusually young minors is a red flag that warrants further investigation. “LifeLock is in the process of working with local and federal agencies, as well as leaders in Washington D.C. to lead the efforts in protecting our children from identity theft. This is a critical aspect of our overall service,” continued Davis. “As the Utah investigation demonstrated, sadly, there are numerous victims yet to be discovered.”  LifeLock subscribers can pay $10 per year for the Children’s ID Theft Prevention Program through which LifeLock will regularly audit the credit bureau, monitor depository banking accounts, and track any unusual “work activity” with the Social Security Administration on behalf of LifeLock’s youth customers. All minors enrolled in the program will also benefit by LifeLock’s standard $1 million guarantee.

 

Do you want to learn about Identity Theft Prevention &

Loretta

thirst4friendz asked:


That ID is an very important ID for me, n this is not da First time my ID has been theft, this is da 2nd case:( plz help me out 2 retain back my ID. The problem is i aint rememeber the details i gave while creating that ID. Or Can neone gimme da Email Id of Yahoo securtity person to whom i can conversate directly…

Ben

J-Papi asked:


I’m not the whitest guy on the block, in fact, my skin can look like an oil spill on a driveway. Anyway, i want sum money for purposes related to ice hockey and I was wundering something in my little head when they asked me for my social. I was kinda tripping, ya know, cause i heard about id theft from some bald dude on CBS and i said no, and they were like “well we need that sir, to help you” anyway, i’m rumbling or hoewever it is you say it, are they just angry at me for being as black as night??????

Carmen

Joe Farinaccio asked:


ty theft 911 situation is when you discover you’re a victim of identity fraud.

Perhaps you’ve just received a bill from a creditor you’ve never heard of before. Or perhaps you’ve just received a call from a bill collector who is demanding you pay for a widget you never bought.

Panic time.

Somebody is using your name, reference numbers (i.e., social security number, etc.) or other personal information to set up fraudulent accounts that you’re getting billed for. You’re also wondering if maybe they’re tapping into accounts you’ve legitimately opened.

You’ve got good reasons to be upset.

Trying to clean up the fraud after you’ve experienced a Identity Theft 911 moment doesn’t cost just money. It costs time … and lots of it. Some Id Theft experts estimate it will take at least 200 hours to fix or repair your records (And this is IF you uncover ID fraud as soon as it happens AND begin contacting credit reporting agencies, creditors and agencies quickly.

What are a few of most important things to do when first contacting the credit reporting agencies? Here are a few of the details often overlooked by fraud victims:

– Request that a “fraud alert” be attached to your file for 7 years.

– Ask that your name and contact info be taken off promotional lists immediately because this might keep a thief from using them to open new accounts with these merchants.

– Request that all businesses or organizations that have made inquiries about or received your credit file within the past year be notified of identity theft crime committed against you.

Ask the Credit Reporting Agency not to release your credit report to anybody without getting your permission first.

– Inform the Credit Reporting Agencies of your intention of sending a 100-word “victim statement” that can be added to your credit report. (Ask if there is a procedure or form for this).

– Ask the Credit Reporting Agencies to respond immediately … along with their assurance that apply everything you’ve asked for. (Provide your contact info, including name and phone number, where you can be reached for this purpose.

– Ask for the names, addresses and phone numbers of creditors, including credit card companies, where the identity thief opened fraudulent accounts. Also request the same information for any organization that has asked to see your credit file without your knowledge.

– Ask Credit Reporting Agencies to remove all fraudulent credit inquiries made by the identity thief. Such inquiries can affect your credit rating in a negative way.

These things, among others, are a few of the most importing things you can do if you find yourself in an identity theft 911 situation.



Allan

Ann Knapp asked:


How much information does an ID thief need to steal someone’s identity? Easily found personal information such as a name, birth date, address, or a mother’s maiden name can be enough for an ID thief to access someone’s existing accounts or establish new loans or credit in another’s name.

Every day, personal information is stolen. ID thefts occur when someone shifts through a trash can or a waiter writes down a customer’s credit card number. While network security is constantly improving – especially as more consumers conduct shopping and banking online, it is still imperative that personal information be monitored and protected by its immediate owner.

Following are 10 steps to securing and protecting personal information, according to Tony Bradley, respected information security resource guru and author of Essential Computer Security:

1. Be on guard for the shoulder surfer. This is the guy who likes to casually look over someone’s shoulder as he or she enters a PIN number or credit card number at an ATM, phone booth, or even work computer. Those using a public place to withdraw cash or import personal information should always be aware of others around them and their ability to see what keys are being pressed.

2. Direct people to photo ID verification. Instead of signing the back of a credit card, write “See photo ID” on the back. Often, store clerks do not check for a signature on a credit card; and thieves can still use these cards to make purchases online or over the phone. However, for times when signature verification is required, the card holder is creating another layer of security by directing a salesperson a photo ID as well.

3. Shred bills and credit cards statements. Thieves who acquire information by going through trash are known as “dumpster diving.” These individuals are looking for bills, statements, and even junk mail to steal an identity. Use a personal shredder to destroy any and all material that contains personal information before disposing of them in the trash.

4. Destroy all digital data. Individuals who sell, trade or discard of a computer system, hard drive, recordable CD, DVD, or backup tape should take extra precautions to ensure the data has been completely destroyed. Thieves who are technically savvy may retrieve information believed to have been deleted or reformatted. CDs and DVDs should be shattered before being thrown away and there are shredders designed to shred CD/DVD media.

5. Check any and all statements. Cross-checking bank and credit statements has two benefits. First, individuals who regularly check their statements will be more aware if one does not arrive each month – indicating that an account has possibly been stolen. Secondly, checking statements allows the account holder to confirm that the entries are legitimate.

6. Pay paper bills at the post office. Paid bills that are left in the mailbox can be stolen by someone looking for critical information – such as a name, address, credit card account number, or bank information. Take bills to the post office or to a U.S. Postal Service drop box.

7. Limit personal information on checks. It may be convenient to have a driver’s license number or other information printed on personal checks. However, if that information falls into the wrong hands it may be enough information for a thief to cause real harm.

8. Review a credit report each year. Thanks to a recent congressional act, consumers can check their credit report for free each year, provided from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Check the report for any suspicious entries or activity.

9. Protect your Social Security Number. Now, more than ever, if a thief has personal information such as a name, address, and a social security number, he or she can assume someone’s identity. Especially never give out your social security number over the phone or email.

10. Do online business with established companies. It’s imperative that a level of trust be established before conducting business online. Make sure those companies take the security of personal information as seriously as you do. Always review a company’s online privacy policy to ensure it is a secure or encrypted web site.



Lawrence

teacher4u25f asked:


I saw on the news several years ago a place to check your credit report online for free and it was safe…no scam or id. theft
on the internet..

Bobby

John Goldman asked:


Identity theft has become very common throughout the world and specially in United States where the ID thieves take advantage of the daily opportunities to find your personal information to be used in their benefit either to commit crime or for funds. It is quite easy for the thieves to steal your identity and you might not even know that you are a victim until you find your accounts being hacked.

The thieves would just slip off your wallet or search in your trash bin to find any credit card or banks statements or your social security number. Additionally it can actually get really difficult for you to fix up your credit and restore everything back to normal.

Using id theft hotline number

Despite this the good news is that the victims of id theft have more and easily accessible options than before in protecting and reporting identity theft. According to the FTC or Federal Trade Commission there are 4 crucial actions that you must take in order to minimize credit damages being caused due to id theft.

Firstly you should contact any of the 3 major credit bureaus through their hotline number or through email. This can get you to speak to their identity fraud department and can also request them to place a fraud alert on your credit report. After the credit bureau confirms the fraud alert the remaining two agencies would automatically place alerts instantly. When there is a fraud alert placed on your credit report the creditors will have to contact you before they can open any new account under your name or change any detains of the previous accounts. This is all possible through the identity theft hotline number.

It is important that you check your credit report every year to find out if there are any errors in the report. In case you find any errors or a suspicious activity then immediately contact the creditors through their hotline number so that they become aware about the unauthorized activity in your account. This can include informing authorities of your bank accounts, loan lenders, credit card companies, phone companies, utilities and even internet service provider. You must also contact the fraud department of the company by phone so that proper action is taken.

In case you find that thieves are running bad checks by your name then immediately close the account and inform your bank. In case you are not sure about their hotline number then visit their online website for details.

Most of the people are actually not aware about identity theft hotline numbers which is important in case of emergency. This means that if you have lost your wallet then you will instantly want to place fraud alerts on your credit cards and bank accounts. Therefore the best and the fastest method would be thorough phone. In case you are not aware about the id theft hotline numbers then you can visit the official FTC website to find contact number of all the major credit reporting agencies including banks.



Ruth

bigfred1954 asked:


My bank has enrolled me into several
1. a discount travel agency
2. some sort of auto repair discount
I noticed this just recently , and thougt I was a victim of ID theft .
The thing is I did not authorize or sign or even recieve any membership notice nothing ! Both companys say my bank has done this but I did not authorize any of this .

Esther