id theft fraud prevention

Jesse Whitehead asked:




Most people even now don’t have knowledge about what ID theft is, much less how to prevent it. Well, people, it is time you knew exactly what you, as a citizen of the United States of America, or any other country in the world is facing. ID (Identity) theft is a very real and threatening threat that continues to grow as a vexing problem all across the world.

According to a trade federation report three years ago, ID theft was the top complained about problems lodged by consumers for five consecutive years. Sitting passively in your home will not keep you safe; identity theft usually aims at people like you and me.

There are many facets of the identity theft problem. One of the most common is the theft of credit card details. Credit card fraud takes up a major slice in overall ID theft losses, cutting off a major 26% share of the overall criminal theft activities as far back as 2007.

Another facet of ID theft is the retrieval of your personal information by crooks to register new accounts in your name, such as bank accounts and credit card accounts. Such fraudulent activities can prove very devastating to your finances and your good name. It might even lead to criminal prosecution against you, and in some cases jail time. This might result if the identity thieves committed criminal acts to defraud and swindle others using your name and identity.

By now, you should have a fair notion of what identity theft is. Nearly one in every five Americans are vulnerable to attack by these thieves. It is incumbent upon us to take steps to guard our identity against misappropriation by criminals with evil intent. One step that will go far in protecting you is buying and installing a good antivirus software on your computer. In addition, anti-spyware, anti-malware and internet firewalls will provide even more protection for your computer and all of your personal information stored on it.

Rosa

LegalAidServicesofOK asked:

Protect your privacy and information from identity theft and financial fraud. For more information and links to the “how to” suggestions at this link: www.oklaw.org

Dale

Clara Ghomes asked:




Identity theft is a term given to an occurrence where an individual obtains the personal information of another person to obtain some illegal benefits. The obtaining of personal information is done through privacy breaches. In case of consumers, this can also happen if they provide their own information to anyone else. Many times the thief obtains (or tries to) personal identification information or documents by physical crime such as home invasion or vehicle break in.

Many sites and agencies (such as Canadian Phone busters and US Federal Trade Commission) address identity theft and recommend intervention strategies. One of the most common of those strategies is the guardianship of the documents or information of personal identifiers. The guardianship issues involve suggestions as to what should consumers do to avoid their private data getting into a criminal’s hands.

Not identifying at all is the best protection against any mishappening of identity theft. This ensures that the personal information can’t be used again to allow impersonation. Identity theft is caused due to too much identification or too little privacy. Many institutions/organizations and activities require consumers to provide their personal information like credit card number, drivers licence number, Social Security number etc. This information is treated as a proof of the individual’s identity but it makes it difficult for people to protect themselves from identity theft. Many online retailers and companies suggest their consumers to ensure regular updates of their operating system and computer’s security to protect them against identity theft online.

Many times impersonator also tries to steal identity of a dead person. The crime can be stopped the personal information is cross referenced with the death certificate of the individual. Recently, many companies have started providing protection services to people against identity theft for a monthly or an annual fee. These services basically work either by monitoring the credit report of the individual and setting fraud alerts on person’s credit files. The credit reporting agencies disclose the credit and personal information to a wide client base and the restrictions on the disclosure can vary from customer to customer.

Also, many times people have been exposed to risks of identity theft through poor supervision of the data which results in data breaches. The corporate mistakes which can lead to data breach include not providing adequate network security to the data, not shredding the data (confidential and private information) before throwing in dumps, giving personal information of consumers to other businesses which do not provide enough security to the data.

Having strong encryption on computers, laptops and any other portable media which contain large amount of personal information of consumers ensure that the data won’t get into wrong hands. Having finger identification or any other biometric information can prevent data breaches but there are limitations to it also.

Alvin

Mark Berger asked:




Who CAN you trust? With the Internet expanding at an alarming rate, there are some places on the web that resemble a dark back alley: an area you simply wouldn’t tread for fear of personal safety and security. But it’s hard to tell when you should be aware of your personal information being stolen – you might think that you are safe, but there are a great deal of people everyday whose identity is taken without warning.

What can you do in such a globalized setting; where someone half a hemisphere away can take you to the cleaners overnight? Be knowledgeable. Be aware. Know the following tips, and you’ll never have your identity stolen.

Number one places where you can lose your identity

E-mail

One of the leading problems in Internet security is how easy it is to get someone’s e-mail address. There are a number of e-mail spoofs that can take your credit card number away from you in the blink of an eye. These are:

-Paypal e-mail spoofs

- E-bay e-mail spoofs

- Tricks, like those e-mails that claim they are a long-lost third uncle or cousin of some important figurehead in a third-world country, and they would like to give you $4,000,000 or some ridiculous number.

If you know what you have to watch out for, it definitely helps. Never send anyone any kind of important personal data in an e-mail; not even if they claim they are Paypal, E-bay, or some other company you trust. No one should ever ask you for something like your driver’s license, social security card or credit card over e-mail.

A Paypal spoof site can steal your Paypal login information by simply having you put your username and password in as usual; but in reality you’re not submitting it to Paypal, you’re sending it to scammers so they can steal your account information and of course your personal information, such as credit cards. Never login to Paypal except anywhere other then http://www.paypal.com

In fact, if you use a spam-blocking utility like Qurb, it makes a world of difference. You might still get the odd scam or two, but you’ll be able to tell now that you know how they look.

The next avenue of personal data theft evolves around…

Pop-ups, unsafe URL addresses and third-party installers

The next area that personal data theft can occur is simply by being in the wrong place (and not even necessarily at the wrong time!) While most pop-up windows and URL addresses are safe, there are some forms of malicious software out there we know as “auto-installers” or “self-installing software.” You can recognize what I mean by this if you use Internet Explorer and if you have some toolbars across the top that either you know you didn’t put on there or simply can’t get rid of. That is an example of self-installing executables: that install themselves without asking you.

Some of this software is harmful, but most know it is ad-ware/spyware most of the time. It’s just blatant advertising, but the worst self-installing software can access your cookies and attempt to transfer that data to a remote server.

So how do you steer clear of this junk?

Easy – use Firefox, or if you find yourself enduring pop-ups, get a pop-up blocker. DON’T get a third party program – get something reputable like Google Toolbar, because a third party “pop-up blocker” can ALSO be a form of spyware/ad-ware if you don’t know what you’re doing.

You can also maintain some basic ad-ware/spyware prevention tools on your system. Avast Anti-virus is excellent at detecting a self-installing script and shutting it down before it finishes. So is Microsoft Antispyware, should you have a genuine windows version. Routine scans with a program like Lavasoft ad-aware or other good spyware/ad-ware suites will also help.

And the last spot where you can have your credit card or debit card information is stolen is at your local store. Should someone ever drop your card while handing it back to you, make sure when they bend down they are only retrieving your card. There have been reported cases where shopkeepers (especially disgruntled gas station workers) have “dropped” a card only to swipe it through another machine below.

While it’s less likely you’re going to be scammed locally, the possibility still exists for a disgruntled worker unhappy with their earnings taking your card information and running up some bills in your name. Although, typically people who try this sort of scam run up small bills over a large number of accounts in order to stop the customer from noticing.

Don’t worry – and don’t get paranoid. The first step of personal data theft prevention is awareness. If you’re smarter about the secure and unsecure world, you’ll be identify scams from the get-go. It may even pay to let a company like Paypal know who the spoofers are, if you have a minute to report them to spoof@paypal.com

Remember, you the user control your level of security on the Internet. There is no one to blame when data thievery occurs but yourself.

Charlie

Jennifer M. Forest asked:




Identity Theft is the fastest growing white-collar crime in America today. In 2005-2006, 15 Million Americans had their identities stolen. That’s a new victim every two seconds! The Federal Trade Commission (FDC) reported that a stolen ID is used an average of 30 times before the victim finds out about it.

This also means it can take up to one year before you become aware your identity has been stolen. In fact, as you are reading this article, you may already be an Identity Theft victim and not even know it. Scary to contemplate, isn’t it?

Although the statistics are grim, you can take pro-active steps today to protect yourself and your loved ones. To accomplish this, you need to know which types of personal information identity thieves are stealing to commit crimes.

Here are the five most common types:

* Driver’s license ID Theft: The information on your stolen driver’s license provides your name, address, and date of birth, as well as a State driver’s identity number. Thieves use this information to apply for loans; credit cards; open bank accounts to obtain checking accounts; buy cars, homes, boats, stereo equipment, jewelry, anything of value – all charged to you. Most driver’s licenses also have your street address on them. So the thieves know where you live and can rob you and your home and/or commit other horrendous crimes against you and your family.

* Social Security ID Theft: Thieves use this information for all of the luxuries listed above, as well as obtaining new Social Security cards (claiming the old one was “lost”) to obtain Social Security benefits you worked all of your adult life for; welfare benefits; HUD benefits, including housing vouchers; medical and dental care; and to obtain false passports to be able to slip in and out of the U.S.A. without apprehension.

* Medical ID Theft: ID Thieves use your medical information to file false workers’ compensation claims; have surgeries, including cosmetic surgeries, often to alter their appearances to avoid being recognized for previous crimes; to file for other Social Security benefits, such as phony disability claims and/or false medical liability claims, including insurance claims; and to have medical procedures done for legitimate health problems but you get stuck with the enormous hospital and doctor’s bills.

* Character/Criminal ID Theft: ID Thieves commit crimes, posing as you! Consequently, you could apply for a job or get pulled over by the police for a burned out tail light on your car, and end up getting arrested for a murder or bank robbery or some other felony you know absolutely nothing about. It then becomes your difficult job to try to convince the local police and court that you are really the victim and are indeed innocent of the crimes committed in your good name.

* Financial ID Theft: Although there is obviously overlap between some of these types of ID Theft, this category specifically and more completely involves a crminal posing as you to empty your bank account(s); financial holdings; remove any valuables you may have in storage in bank vaults; steal any off-shore assets and/or international financial assets or bank accounts; and buy and sell expensive properties such as homes, cars, land, or businesses; and apply for loans and credit cards or credit accounts and quickly run up the tabs on these accounts to their maximum limits, for which you will be held accountable by the companies who approved of the loans and accounts in the first place.

The good news is: the FDC has quickly responded to these new crimes and law enforcement is working closely with other government agencies to apprehend these criminals and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. Thanks to many members of the Senate and Congress, bills have been introduced and new laws are being passed to help victims of Identity Theft restore their credit and good names in a more efficient and timely manner. One such law is “The Identity Theft Protection Act”. It eases the burden of the victim’s financial liability for falsely incurred debt and exonerates the victim of the other crimes committed in the his/her name.

In the meantime, moniter your personal information closely, as well as your bank account and credit card statements. Get copies of all your national credit reports at least annually. Cross-shred all personal information not needed, credit card offers, junk mail, and anything with your personal information on it.

If for any reason you suspect you or your loved one(s) – including your children – may be a victim of Identity theft, take ACTION immediately. Call the Credit Bureaus, the banks, credit card companies, and whatever entity may be involved, to file a report; have your accounts “flagged” for possible Identity Theft activity; close bogus accounts; freeze bank and credit card accounts and follow-up on any suspicious activity. Please read my previous article: “How To Prevent Identity Theft”. I discuss the specifics of protecting yourself in that article.

Knowledge is Power. Educate yourself and your friends and family about these types of crimes. Most importantly, know what steps you can all take to protect yourselves and your good names.

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Forest

April

VideoCreditScore asked:

videocreditscore.com – ID Theft Prevention – VideoCreditScore.com offers free online video lessons and product reviews to consumers and credit counselors

Sandra

simplyNASBA asked:

NASBA #5 SALT Conference will be October 1, 2010 at Inn on the Lake, Fall River, NS, near Halifax Int’l Airport. This slideshow is from NASBA#4 Jan 15-16, 2010 at Hilton Garden Inn Hfx Airport. Keynote was Greg Edwards, CA, Principal, Accounting Standards, and was Project Manager for the New Canadian GAAP for Private Enterprises – an alternative to IFRS reporting for the 2.2 million eligible small businesses. Greg was sent by the Cdn Accounting Standards Board in Toronto. Four other CAs spoke as well: Henry Visser, CA, LLB, TEP from McInnes Cooper Law in Halifax. Debi Peverill CA, Laurie Haines CA with RCMP, and Peter Budreski CA and Pres of TCOB Solution and a “going paperless solution for professionals”

Mitchell

Morris E. Brown asked:




It is no secret that identity theft is on the rise. Walk into any big box office supply store and you will mounds and mounds of paper shredders meant to shred your personal documents and letters making it harder for an identity thieve to obtain your vital personal information. Sure you are safe at home and at the office but what about on the road, on your vacation, travel for work and conventions, and in hotels, bars and restaurants?

To begin with what is “identify theft”? Identity theft is where an “identity thief” commits fraud and indeed other crimes by assuming (or copying) your personal identity. Such information as your name, birth date, address, and social insurance, charge cards, banking account numbers and other information and identification can later be used to impersonate you for the purposes of stealing or acquiring even more money through access to your accounts, opening up accounts in other forms and banking and credit institutions. Amazingly some identity thieves will even seek “gainful” employment under your name and identity. At the end of the you guess who will be asked to pay the income taxes on those earnings? You of course. The amount of time that you will spend explaining yourself and your predicament to the I.R.S. among others will be more than substantial. Often as well many organizations will take an approach of pay up now and “we will (of course) refund your money after proper and full documentation is given”. Lots of luck and lots of fun. The summary is that if you are a victim of identity theft, you could be left with bills, bad credit and the hassle of dealing with financial agencies and police departments to clear your name. In addition dealing with the IRS can come into the picture as well.

What can you do to protect yourself against identity theft when traveling on the road and in distant hotels, bars and restaurants? First of all when you return from your trip always verify charges and bills. Keep receipts for cross referencing. You may want to check your credit statement and charges online ahead of time, rather than waiting for your hard copy bill to arrive by snail mail or email. This way you may catch mistakes ahead of time and nip problems in the “bud”. Add in the logistics of distance factors, time changes, staffing and phone bills and it becomes almost a nightmare. Indeed for some charges you may feel that it is not worth the time effort and costs.

First of all always ensure that after transactions that you have received the correct credit card in return by serving staff personnel and that you have not received other persons by mistake or on purpose. Next ensure that you do not leave personal documents or information just “lying “around your hotel or hotel meeting rooms. Its not a question of hotel staff – who may well be carefully screened and hired for personal honesty and integrity – but rather just “anybody” or ” anyone” who can just be strolling down the hall or indeed be trolling or on the prowl. Similarly computers left on and unprotected are targets as well. It’s not the computer so much now, but rather the data on it that is most valuable. On top of that if the computer is left behind and untouched, a sense of safety, honesty and data integrity is afforded to the victim, who may not know that their vital data, documentation and financial records and passwords have, been sequestered. All it takes is a split second and a run of the mill USB flash memory drive and all over. Shortly your credit card data, passwords or worse may be sold to thieves and emailed anywhere in the world. It’s best to employ some type of password entry to your computers, cell phone and blackberries and as well not leave such information in clear view.

You may think that it should be the responsibility of the hotel and its staff to protect you in such matters. If identity theft occurs to you in this manner you may well think that you can sue the hotel and that the hotel should compensate you for you troubles and more. On top of everything else you may demand an all expense paid trip to Hawaii in the hotel chains 4 star resort. Lots of luck. While it may be true that hotels and the service industry are most concerned about their reputation and maintaining high service levels in their hotels and establishments they can only do so much , and provide a certain level of safety and security. It’s up to you to protect yourself. Imagine the wasted time, energy and cost you can save yourself by being vigilant and proactive when it comes to your own security and protecting yourself from identity theft while traveling on the road – whether it be in hotels and restaurants – either for business travel or for your personal vacations.

Diane

scoremore1 asked:

www.ScoreMoreCredit.com – Credit expert, Brian Diez, reveals how crooks try to steal your identity and how to stop them dead in their tracks without spending hundreds of dollars a year.

Ben

Jesse Whitehead asked:




Identity Protection is Vitally Important to Your Financial Health

If you are a consumer who shops online, it is vitally important that you learn how identity protection services can help keep your identity and financial health safe and secure. Having your personal information compromised or stolen by criminals can have a disastrous effect on your finances and credit standing for years.

When buying a home, a car, or any other item for that matter, you need to be alert at all times that you don’t inadvertently allow a criminal to make off with your personal details. Identity theft protection services are especially important for anyone planning to buy a large ticket item such as a home because this is the time that you will be asked to furnish a lot of personal details.

How Does Identity Theft Occur?

Identity (ID) theft takes place when someone is able to impersonate a genuine identity in order to get hold of the victim’s financial details. The thief will make use of the stolen identity to perform any number of fraudulent and criminal transactions.

For example, someone can steal your Social Security Number and then use it to apply for and get a loan or credit card in your name. Identity theft can take other forms as well. According to studies and surveys conducted on frequency of identity thefts, it was discovered that about twenty-five percent of households in the United Stated have had their identities stolen.

Identity theft – Extensive and Pervasive

The list of the types of identity theft is extensive, and pervades our society in many ways. Personal ID theft can involve credit card frauds, bank frauds, utilities/phone fraud, employment related fraud, social security fraud, benefits/government documents fraud, and many others.

Protect Your ID with an Identity Protection Service

You can minimize having your identity stolen by subscribing to an identity protection service that will help you take the necessary steps to safeguard your personal information. Because of the widespread identity theft occurring in the U.S. and around the world, many ID protection service companies have sprung-up to protect consumers. These service companies vary in their size as well as well as services offered, although they all work in more or less the same way. If you want to have the peace of mind that your identity is being guarded against theft, seriously consider subscribing to an ID protection service today.

Henry