id theft fraud prevention

Chet Holcomb asked:




Having someone steal your identity seem to be the stuff that science fiction books and movies have on their convoluted plots. But that was before… before the rise of technological advancement, before the creation of the world wide web.

Now, identity theft is no longer a dream for some hackers and internet con artists. One can even say that with their techniques and expertise, it will be like taking candy from a baby… yet this time, it involves more than sweets. Life is at stake, personal and social life.

How can someone steal your identity? By assuming your name, Social Security number, credit card number, or some other piece of your personal information for their own use. In short, identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.

They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When they use the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. They call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your credit card account.

Then, your imposter incur charges on your account in your name and have the bills sent to the new address. This is why most people may not immediately realize that their is a problem. They establish cellular phone service in your name.They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.

How Easy is it to Get Personal Information?

The amount of information available on the Internet about you and those you know is almost unbelievable. Various companies offer services that provide address, criminal, civil, and professional history as well as a list of assets and bank account numbers. Also available are the Social Security number, last six addresses, current phone number as well as names and phone numbers of neighbors. Some large, prestigious companies offering such information include Lexis-Nexis and West Publishing Company.

Many smaller companies also provide similar services.
This research used to take days. Today, this information is available in minutes with only a few click of your mouse. Here are economical products that can help uncover personal details you thought were strictly private.

Identity theft involves someone using key pieces of your identifying information in order to impersonate you. The usual purpose is to acquire goods or services in your name through the use of credit or debit cards. The U.S. Postal Service calls it the “one of the fastest growing robbery crimes in America.”

By one industry estimate, more than 1,000 people a day in the United States fall victim to crimes of stolen identity. In 1997 the U.S. Secret Service make 9,455 arrests involving identify fraud. According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse there are over 400,000 thefts of identity each year with that result in more than $2 Billion worth of annual losses for the country. Identity theft is expanding at a rate of 50% per year.

Jay

Tyler Previd asked:




We all know that at any moment a criminal can steal our identities and pretty much put us through hell for the next year or more of our lives. That’s why I myself have been protected by an identity theft protection company. I have put together my top 2 identity theft prevention tips in this article so that you can take a few steps to being closer to safety.

My first tip for you is to make sure that you either check your mail everyday and tear up any offers for ‘pre-approved’ credit cards because that is one of the top ways that thieves steal your identity, by hijacking your mail. It would be even better if you could remove yourself from all the mailing lists of these companies altogether. (The company that I use does it for me!)

My second identity prevention tip is to order yourself a copy of your credit report at least once a year. You can see if there are any accounts that were opened in your name that you might not be aware of and you can spot other suspicious activity as well. Also, it’s good to check your credit often ANYWAY because sometimes companies make mistakes and it’s good to spot these thing early.

There are so many ways nowadays for criminals to steal your personal information whether it be by purchasing or trading it online, buying it from the black market or “phishing” the information for themselves by using hacking techniques. Whichever method they use, you do not want to fall victim to this horrible crime. It can be devastating and severely damage you financially as well as get you in trouble with the law for something YOU didn’t do!

Trust me, it’s not pretty. I hope these 2 identity prevention tips were helpful to you and I wish you all the luck in keeping your good name!

Dawn

Bernard Pragides asked:




Identity theft can take many forms. Many people do not realize that there are actually five different types of identity theft. You can take steps to protect yourself from this nightmare, but first you need to know what you are up against. Here is an overview of the five types of identity theft.

1. Financial identity theft is the kind most of us are readily familiar with. This is when a thief steals your information and sets up financial accounts in your name without your permission or knowledge. Basically, they pretend to be you and set up an entire financial portfolio in your name. This includes bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and even mortgages. In order to protect yourself from this type of identity theft, make sure you properly dispose of all personal and financial documents.

2. Social security identity theft is a huge problem and is growing in popularity among identity thieves. In order to effectively pull off financial identity theft, a thief will need your social security number since all banks require it to open an account of any kind. Many thieves get this by dumpster diving, stealing mail, or email scams called phishing. Do not give out your social security number to anyone, no matter who they claim to be, over the phone or the Internet. Illegal aliens will also sometimes steal social security numbers since they are asked to provide one by their employers. Then, the IRS comes to you for any taxes owed on income you did not get.

3. Medical identity theft occurs when a person who does not have insurance uses yours to obtain treatment. This is not good because the data from the other person is now in your file. Imagine if you needed a heart transplant or other major medical treatment at some point and your insurance refused to pay for it because they show you have already had that procedure done and will not pay again. This can also affect your ability to get health and life insurance.

4. Driver’s license theft is now easier than ever thanks to a book put out by the DMV detailing all of the states’ drivers license specs. You can download information on any driver’s license and make one that looks just like the real thing. Obviously, this can be a real issue when you receive a ticket in your name that someone else deserves!

5. Criminal or character identity theft often ties in with driver’s license identity theft. Nefarious characters who commit crimes will have a driver’s license made with your info and their photo. They can then conduct their criminal activity under your name and then slip away when the authorities get too close. Guess whose door the cops are knocking on for the culprit?

Identity theft is a major problem today. You need to be vigilant and guard your information closely. Don’t give out personal information unless it is absolutely necessary, and destroy all correspondence before you throw it in the trash. Identity thieves are looking for an easy target, don’t be one.

So stay alert! Beware!

Beatrice

PJ Germain asked:




Identity thieves are becoming more sophisticated with every passing day. Don’t wait until it’s to late. Identity theft can happen anywhere to anyone. In line at the store, online at home or when you’re buying your morning coffee. Identity theft is one of the most common problems that people face today. Any of your personal information can be used to commit the crime.

Identity theft-protection company Lifelock is in the news this morning. The company, headed by CEO Todd Davis, is known for its challenge ad (reproduced below) which has been running for a couple of years. Identity theft can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone. Identity fraud has become a huge concern in today’s new age and even though precautions have been taken to correct the situation there has not been much success. In the US approximately 120 million citizens had their private records exposed in the last three years causing approximately 27 million Americans to become victims.

Identity theft in the most extreme cases allows people to get insurance in your name, open false bank accounts and even can provide a cover when arrested for other crimes. Ident-A-Kid’s Immediate Response Card systems utilize an extremely fast digital data acquisition system. A complete profile of each child, including fingerprint, photograph, height and weight, is acquired in less than 15 seconds. Identity theft is the most rapidly growing crime in the world. It’s now bringing in more money than drug trafficking.

Credit

Credit card fraud is the most common form of ‘identity theft.’ It threatens no liability and only a little bit of inconvenience to most consumers in the United States – consumers that are prudent, anyway. And I’ve never understood what these services would or could do to prevent or mitigate a true impersonation fraud. Credit card companies still sent actual credit cards in their pre-approval mailings and one was stolen out of my mailbox. A year later, I received a collection notice that over $2000 was charged at a retailer blocks away from my home. Credit card fraud is often confused for identity theft because of those clever commercials with the funny voice-overs but it’s really a walk in the park compared to identity theft. It won’t take just a few phone calls to clear it up either.

Credit monitoring is an afterthought. What credit monitoring is, is selling you your own data.

Fraud and Your Credit

Fraud consistently costs the consumers in the long run. No one is magically absorbing those costs without passing them along to the consumers. Fraud alert ensures that creditors call you and verify your identity before opening any new credit lines. You can put a fraud alert on your credit report yourself if you call any one of the 3 credit reporting companies.

Checkout LifeLock

Check out LifeLock and protect yourself and your family from identity theft. Check out the possible LifeLock coupon codes or LifeLock coupons that will save you money on your purchases. Now if you don’t see a promo code or discount available that may mean that Lifelock is currently not offering any savings, but they might have new deals onsite- so you can try clicking on one of the links below and find out.

Travis

Caleb Markinson asked:




Identity theft insurance coverage is big business for companies looking to profit from consumer fears. Insurance coverage provides consumers with many different ways to pay for losses. Generally, all consumer identity theft coverage policies fall into one of two categories: prevention services and insurance coverage. The problem is best avoided but since no one is one hundred percent invulnerable to identity fraud, insurance provides a nice soft place to land if you do fall victim.

Prevention Services

Credit monitoring, fraud alerts, and consumer counseling are all prevention services that provided when seeking coverage. Most lenders, all three credit reporting bureaus, and many independent companies offer some form of prevention services, but they usually provide this service for a fee. Occasionally, a lender will provide credit monitoring for free as a bonus for using their financial institution.

Typically, prevention services work about the same manner no matter the company. The service allows the company to track inquires and accounts on your credit report and notifies you immediately if something suspicious shows up on your record. Often, if identity theft does occur, the companies that offer insurance coverage will also offer assistance in the form of advice or resources. The fees for these services are customarily charged on a monthly basis and range from less than $10 to around $40 a month.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance companies wasted no time in jumping on the bandwagon by devising policies to provide coverage to identity theft victims. Some policies providing stand-alone coverage for people who don’t own homes or don’t want to include the protection with their homeowner’s policy while other policies roll the client’s homeowner policy and identity theft insurance into one. The important thing to know if you are a consumer interested in coverage is whether or not you already are covered. Read your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure that identity theft is not already covered before purchasing additional insurance that you don’t need.

If you find that you are in need of insurance, you can rest easy knowing that premiums for coverage are very inexpensive, only about $25 to $50 a year for coverage of about $15,000 or $20,000. The policy will cover any out-of-pocket costs associated with identity theft above the deductible value.

Keep in mind that although the average victim only pays about $500 in fees and lost wages, this figure can sometimes be much larger in special circumstances. Consider your needs carefully and talk over the extent of coverage you should invest in with your insurance agent.

Rick

Budda Oliver asked:




Auto theft is a serious danger for all automobile owners across the United States but it pales in comparison to the threat posed by carjackers. Carjacking makes up a very small percentage of all auto theft, but what it lacks in frequency it makes up for in severity and terror. Follow these tips to prevent automobile theft and know what to do if you find yourself faced with a situation of this capacity.

The first and most useful way to avoid harm from carjacking is to avoid being a victim of carjacking in the first place. Someone that uses this forcible means of stealing an occupied vehicle is an especially brazen type of criminal with a serious lack of respect for the individual that they victimize, but they are not purely stupid. Though perhaps morally inept, a carjacker is for the most part susceptible to the same intimidations as a law-abiding citizen. If parked in a parking lot, walk to your car with your keys in hand; grip your keys firmly and confidently if you notice suspicious individuals in the vicinity. The goal of key gripping is not to visibly threaten anyone with your keys, but to present the d signs of a confident individual with a weapon. This will alert potential thieves that you are personally not a victim that will roll over easily.

In the unfortunate event that you are actually faced with a thief approaching your car window or insisting to be let in, follow this simple guideline: don’t let them in. If your engine is on and you’re in the driver seat, do not open a car door, whether they have a weapon or not. Once the car door is open the carjacker has a serious upper hand and may be able to take control of the vehicle. Instead of giving into threats, drive your car away immediately; do not even pause to see the individual’s reaction, just drive away. Do not be deterred by the threat of a firearm. The likelihood that a carjacker will trigger a firearm in public is slim, especially if they are without an escape vehicle. Besides, once they are in your vehicle they are much more likely to use their weapon if they believe they have a chance of getting away with their crime. Driving away prevents these terrible criminals from taking control.

In the last resort, if a carjacker has surprised you and forced his way into your car do not listen to their commands. As soon as you’re able, buckle your seatbelt and aim your vehicle into a stationary object free of innocent people. Be it a tree, or a wall, drive your car straight into the object at a high speed, aiming to impact the side with the carjacker. This tactic seems crazy, but the threat of injury from a car crash is much less severe than the threat of death caused by a carjacker in your car with a weapon. Additionally, knowing that you are about to crash your vehicle will provide you with time to prepare and brace for impact, while the unwitting carjacker will be caught off guard.

Carjacking is an unfortunate truth that we as American have to live with. Be confident in your right to defend your life and your property and be knowledgeable about the ways to prevent a carjacker ruining either. With preparation and confidence you can avoid being victimized by criminals.

Timothy

Michael Russell asked:




In today’s technologically advanced world more and more people are falling victim to identity theft both online and offline. It was reported by a general accounting office that over 700,000 Americans have their identity stolen every year and that number is expected to rise over time. While many thieves operate online there are still many “dumpster divers” who go through people’s trash cans looking for a credit card statement or a solicitation that someone forgot to tear up. You may be thinking that people don’t do this stuff but there are people who spend a lot of time waiting on someone to forget to shred a piece of their personal information so they can take it and start running up your credit cards and using your social security number. It may be impossible to stop someone from stealing your identity entirely, but there are things that you can do to lower the risk of having it happen.

A simple way to stop thieves from getting your personal information by dumpster diving is to remember to destroy all private records and statements. You can tear the stuff up, but it is best to shred it. Credit card statements, documents with financial information and solicitations all need to be shredded. It is also a good idea to secure your mail, you can do this by emptying your mailbox quickly, lock it or get a P.O box. By securing your mail it will stop thieves from stealing credit card pitches and other financial information. Never mail bills or checks from your home, it is simple for thieves to go through your mail and get a bill or check and change the payee’s name on the check by erasing it with solvent. Mail out all of your bills and checks from the post office since it is the most secure location to do so.

Your social security number should also be protected. You should never carry your social security card with you or any other card that may have your number on it, this includes your heath insurance card. The social security number is the key to all of your information so thieves look for stuff like this. If they get your social security number they can get access to other important information like your credit report and your bank account. Also remember to never leave ATM, credit card or gas receipts behind.

A lot of people have their identities stolen because they fail to educate themselves about who they’re giving their private and financial information to. When someone calls with some kind of special offer or something don’t be quick to give up your information if you’re interested in their offer, first ask them who they are and what company they represent and then do a little research yourself. Don’t ever give up your financial information over the phone. Monitor your credit card, obtain a copy of your credit report annually and review it thoroughly for anything that may look suspicious to you. Also thoroughly review your credit card statement, make sure all of the merchants look familiar and if they don’t, call your credit card company and notify them about the suspicious things on your statement.

There are simple precautions that you can take to stop criminals from obtaining your private information. Be more aware when you use your credit card and don’t forget to shred up all important information that you throw into the trash.

Terri

Sarah Russell asked:




Today, there are a number of new methods being developed to help prevent identity thieves from successfully preying on unwary victims. While some of these new technologies have sparked heated debates on personal privacy, others are based on sound forensics methods that have been in use for decades. Regardless of where you stand, chances are we’ll witness the implementation of one – or all – of the following technologies in the next decade.

Fingerprint Scanning

Even though most stores don’t yet have fingerprint scanners, they are rapidly becoming less expensive and more readily available. Already, in a number of large corporations, employees clock in and sign onto their computer terminals using a scanner that compares their thumbprint to one on file. This technology could be used to help prevent identity fraud if it were installed in everything from home computers to telephones – but the expense of doing so might outweigh the potential benefits.

Retina Scanners

Similar to fingerprint scanners, there are also devices that can scan the retina of your eyes and match them with images on file. Even though this may seem dangerous – or more like science fiction than reality – many researchers feel that the technology is both safe and economically viable. Implementing this type of technology would also be expensive, but could be used in limited, high-risk areas like personal banking and credit requests.

Disposable Credit Card Numbers

Some researchers have developed a chip that ensures that your credit card number changes after each transaction. Basically, this means that your credit card must always be synchronized with the bank’s computer. Using this technology would prevent identity thieves that manage to steal a static card number from doing any real damage. On the other hand, this technology may not be of much use if someone manages to physically steal your credit card – depending on how the how the information is transmitted.

Implantable Radio Chips

Many dog and cat owners are already familiar with identity chips that are implanted in their pet’s ear. Typically, these chips transmit information to a GPS system, which reveals where the animal is should it be lost or stolen. Similarly, implantable chips for humans can do everything from store medical information to banking codes. While this may have some benefits in terms of protecting sensitive information, there are religious groups and privacy advocates that are strongly opposed to these technologies.

Even though identity thieves always seem to be one step ahead of their victims and law enforcement, new technologies are currently begin developed to stop them. Some of these technologies are aimed at making any information you divulge useless in the hands of a criminal, while others aim to strengthen security measures already in place. Regardless of which method becomes the takes off, it’s safe to assume that we’ll see some major changes in the ways transactions are handled in the coming years.

However, it’s also important to realize that technologies designed to protect your personal information can be compromised. Hackers and thieves intent on stealing your private information will more than likely find a way to get around almost any type of technology that emerges. For this reason, it’s important to take steps to protect your personal information and avoid identity scams besides resorting to technological means. Being responsible with your own identity is half the battle in stopping identity theft.

Arnold

Toddy Martin asked:




Medical identity theft not only cost you millions of dollars but will also take away your precious life. Many believe that some employees from the hospital are responsible for this to happen. They steal other people’s file and sell it to prospect buyers. To count out your medical record to be corrupted from these crooks, consider these following steps:

o Check your explanation of benefits: You can do this by reviewing the EOB form being sent to you by your health insurer. In case you have treatments, consultations, and operations which you did not undergo, notify immediately your health provider. This will stop further damage cause by this type of identity theft.

o Audit your insurance benefits: You should request for your listing of benefits given to you under your policy. At least do this once annually. This will give you idea of what to expect in your policy.

o Monitor your medical record: If you suspect you are a victim of medical identity theft, secure a copy of your hospital record from your physician, your pharmacy, and your hospital.

o If you are rejected in your access to your medical file, you may request for help by following the steps in your policy under “notice of privacy practices”. You are entitled to this statement without extra charge.

o Review your credit report with the 3 big companies, Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. This is to see if someone is causing your record any unwanted change like consultations to doctors, surgeries, and hospitalization which you think is out of your list. Further, it is a good idea to put a fraud alert in your report. This is for the bank and other financial institution to inform you when an individual applies a credit under your name.

o If you discover any errors in your medical file, fix it without postpone. Try to unearth all possible source of the error. Start it with your physician, hospital, laboratory, and your insurance company. Postponing it may make matters worse as it can be considered null and void.

o You can also file for medical identity theft complaint to the Federal Trade Commission. You can call their hotline 1-877 ID THEFT (438-4338). Try to make your sure your complaint enters your record.
Even if people in the hospital are sometimes not trusted for your medical record, consequently, you can take actions to safeguard your hospital files. Regularly monitoring medical reports, medical records, specifically itemized bills and claims are very important moves to escape from the effects of medical identity theft.

Dan

Charles F Lamm asked:




After Hurricane Wilma struck Ft. Lauderdale in 2005, the entire county went offline. No power, no computer. No computer, no Internet. You couldn’t buy gas because the electric pumps were out. You could only buy what groceries were still on the shelf if you had cash. Credit and debit cards were rendered useless.Things always go wrong at the worst possible time.

At the worst possible moment, hackers struck my PayPal account, overdrew my connected bank account and credit card, and left me penniless when I was most vulnerable.

As more and more crooks and cons become Internet savvy, identity theft is now the fastest growing crime in the U.S.

Identity theft falls into 4 categories:

-financial (stealing goods and services)

-criminal (fake identity when arrested)

-cloning (pretending to be someone else)

-business (using another’s business to obtain credit)

We mostly think of identity theft when a stranger uses our credit to obtain goods and services, but the others can be even more devastating. Try applying for a job after someone gave your identity when they were convicted and jailed for a felony.

Identity Theft Prevention:

1.don’t be free and easy with your Social Security number

2.don’t print your SSN on checks

3.don’t carry blank checks or credit cards you don’t need – you may not miss them when they have been stolen

4.be especially careful about giving your SSN over the phone or online

5.don’t throw away official government letters or credit card statements without shredding

6.secure your mail with a locking mailbox if necessary

7.sign new credit cards as soon as you receive them

8.do not leave credit card receipts behind at restaurants, gas stations, or stores

9.choose tough-to-figure-out logins, passwords, and PIN numbers

10.use different passwords for different accounts

11.change your PIN numbers and passwords every 90 days

12. do not carry your PIN numbers in your wallet or purse

13. change the passwords often for services like PayPal which are linked to your bank account and credit cards

14. put your phone numbers on the national Do-Not-Call Registry (1-888-382-1222 )

15. don’t give your phone number to those who don’t need it (stores – pay attention)

16. do a Google search for your own name and SSN to see what you can find out about yourself

17. choose online vendors carefully – Google before purchasing with a credit card – look for a secure site button

18. keep an eye out for shoulder surfers in public transactions

19. be wary of skimmers wherever your credit card is out of your sight (restaurants)

20. be careful with file sharing software – it can give hackers access to your computer

21. limit the amount of personal info you divulge on social networking sites

22. keep a close eye on laptops and thumb drives that contain personal information

23. review your monthly bank and credit card statements carefully, or check more often online

24. review your credit report at least once a year for suspicious activity or inquiries

25. keep a master record in a safe place with account numbers and phone numbers should your credit cards be stolen

Identity Theft Recovery:

If your personal data has been subject to identify theft, act immediately.

1.if your cards or ID were physically stolen, file a police report

2.call the big 3 credit bureaus, place a fraud alert on your credit cards, and obtain a free credit report

3.close any bank accounts and credit cards you believe have been used by identity thieves

4.dispute any charges or checks or withdrawals you have not authorized

5.contact DMV for a new drivers’ license and number if yours has been compromised

6.ask for a letter from each account resolving the dispute and verifying that the identity theft accounts have been closed

After the Hurricane Wilma hack, it took weeks to get PayPal to reverse all the charges and chase down the fraud. The paperwork at the bank seemed endless. Citibank canceled the old credit card and sent the new one out in record time.

U.S. Government statistics estimate it takes about 600 hours and $1,200 to counter identity theft and restore your good name and credit.

Prevention beats cure every time.

Chad