Credit Card Numbers | id theft fraud prevention

March 17, 2011

ID Theft Confused With Other Crimes

Filed under: Legal — Tags: Credit Card Numbers, Financial Accounts, Financial Crime, Grocery Store, Id Theft, Lead, Nerds, Nurses, Patient Records, Purchasing Power, Restraints, Social Security, Social Security Number, Thief, Thieves — admin @ 11:00 pm

Keith Londrie asked:

Identity theft is often confused with other crimes that lead to identity theft. As an example, a thief caught stealing credit card numbers is not necessarily committing identity theft. He is committing a financial crime. Identity theft happens when a criminal steals your personal information for the express purpose of pretending to be you.

Why would anyone want to be you? If you’re anything like me, even the thought that someone would want to take over your life might make you smile and shake your head. Go ahead, I would tell them. It’s all yours. Except I do not really mean it.

Even if you did, what an identity thief wants from you is not really your life; it’s just everything that tells others that your life belongs to you. Your Social Security number is one good example. A person who can’t get a Social Security number will sometimes steal one that belongs to someone else, so they can have the benefits of having a Social Security number.

Another reason that identities are stolen is to gain access to your financial accounts. In fact, this is one of the most common reasons that a criminal is trying to become you. Your power lies in your good name, and if a thief can gain control of your good name, then they also control that power.
The power that I mean is purchasing power. The ability to own a home, hold a job, and apply for credit. These are what identity thieves are after.

Identity thieves are not the pasty-faced, Pop-Tart eating nerds that you might picture them to be. Next time you go out to the grocery store, look around at the people who are also there. Any one of them could be an identity thief. Young, old, rich, poor, any nationality-there are no restraints that say one type of person is more likely to be an identity thief than another.

It doesn’t matter that the doctor you saw last week had the best nurses in the county. One of those nurses could be an identity thief who steals personal information from patient records and then sells that information to another criminal, who then resells it to illegal aliens. Even a single mom of three that just moved in across the street could be an identity thief.

No group of people is more or less likely to be an identity thief. Criminals steal identities for profit, and anyone in the right place with access to the right information might find the lure of extra cash too much to turn down.

Sylvia

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March 11, 2011

Simple Guidelines For Your Small Business Concerning ID Theft

Filed under: Legal — Tags: Business Loss, Business Partners, Cio Magazine, Class Action Lawsuits, Credit Card Numbers, Flash Drives, Ftc, Home Computers, Paper Documents, Risk Management, Small Business Owner, Small Business Owners, Small Businesses, Social Security Numbers, Wrong Hands — admin @ 12:10 am

J. M. Smith asked:

Generally the problem with small business owners and risk management, specifically in the area of ID Theft is that the small business owner thinks small. They feel because they have a small business certain laws only apply to the larger business. As a small business owner you should be concerned about some of these facts. Over 150 million data files have been breached from organizations with many of those being small businesses.

CIO Magazine, The Coming Pandemic, by Michael Freidenberg, May 15 2006 says “If you experience a security breach, 20 percent of your affected customer base will no longer do business with you, 40 percent will consider ending the relationship and 5 percent will be hiring lawyers”. That’s a potential 65 percent business loss with possible class action lawsuits. Are you getting concerned yet? Shouldn’t it be your responsibility to protect your clients personal information. They’ve entrusted you with it and now it should be your obligation to protect it. Even if you don’t feel like it is, the Federal Government is making sure you do.

It doesn’t matter the type of business you own, the information you collect, names, addresses, social security numbers, credit card numbers or other account numbers about students, employees, business partners, contractors, or patients. Their information lost by you and into the wrong hands can put everyone at ID theft fraud. Certainly the type of compromised information will affect the type of potential damage. A great start to learning more about what you can do in beginning a protection plan is to start with the FTC’s guide for your business.

Here are three simple things to start with.

1. Take Stock. Know what personal information you have in your files and on your computers. Inventory all computers, laptops, flash drives, disks, home computers and all other equipment to find out where your company stores sensitive data.

2. Lock it. Store paper documents or files as well as CD’s, floppy disks, zip drives, tapes and backups containing personally identifiable information in a locked room or in a locked file cabinet. Limit access to employees with a legitimate business need.

3. Pitch it. Properly dispose of what you no longer need. Implement information disposal practices that are reasonable and appropriate to prevent unauthorized access to – or use of- personally identifying information. Reasonable measures for your operation are based on the sensitivity of the information, the costs and benefits of different disposal methods and changes in technology.

These three simple steps can get you on a great start. There’s definitely a whole lot more you need to do but understanding some simple steps can get you on the right path to your businesses awareness of this international crime. Stop thinking like a small business owner, take responsibility and when your clients and employees see you care about their personal information your business will take on the dynamics of big business.

Jeff

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November 30, 2010

Ways to Prevent ID Theft

Filed under: Legal — Tags: Accurate Credit, Bank Documents, Civil Liability, Credit Card Numbers, Credit Information, Fair And Accurate Credit Transactions, Fair And Accurate Credit Transactions Act, Identity Theft Laws, Industry Trade Group, Information Destruction, National Crime Prevention Council, Paper Shredder, Personal Identity, Posers, State Fines — admin @ 12:24 am

Andy Lawson asked:

You can be sure about the safety of your home, by locking up all important documents and valuables. But how would you safeguard your personal identity? What if you knew that the bank documents you threw into the trashcan are being used against you?

It is always good to destroy important documents after they have served their purpose. This may include your credit card numbers or any other kind of personal information that could be used by ‘posers’.

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. Well over 7 million people had filed identity theft complaints in 2006. Keeping this in mind, certain laws have been enacted. You should destroy completely all documents that contain any kind of personal information. It could be burned, pulverized or shredded. Likewise, if you have a business, and someone else’s information has been leaked out because of your negligence, they could sue you.

Identity Theft Laws

According to certain provisions of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act or FACTA, you can view your credit report at least once a year. According to the provisions, there are federal fines of nearly $2,2500.00 and state fines of $1,000 for non-compliance. In the case of any breach in information security, Individuals stand to suffer huge losses. FACTA basically aims to protect organization and consumer privacy, which includes credit information, corporate trade secrets and medical records.

The following are some of the penalties to businesses specified by the National Association for Information Destruction or NAID, a paper-shredding industry trade group:

o Civil Liability: Due to your negligence, if important employee information is leaked, you have to pay for the damages. This could result in a payment of nearly $1,000 for statutory damages.

o Federal fines: $2,500 for every violation.

o State fines: $1,000 for every violation.

Investing in a commercial paper shredder is a lot cheaper than paying fines. Personal shredders are available at $15 to $250, whereas office shredders are priced at $2,000+.

Different Methods Of Theft Prevention

Financial data is not the only kind of information that needs to be secured. The following are also in need of being safeguarded from theft and misuse:

o Bank information

o Canceled or blank checks

o Budgets

o Credit card offers

o Employee evaluations

o Credit card information

o Income tax records

o Financial statements

o Investment information

o Insurance coverage

o Medical records

o Legal papers

o Personal bills

Your garbage can may be full of waste – according to you. But, as they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Too often, people dispose important information in convenient garbage cans, without realizing that this is the best place for thieves to get their hands on valuable information.

It is very important to stop being irresponsible and begin destroying important information thoroughly. Criminals make use of any sloppily discarded information. To be on the safe side, you should use a document shredder or hire a document shredding company. Whether you have information saved on CD’s, digital records, key tapes, plastic films, ID cards, microfiche, key tapes or floppy disks, there is a shredder suitable for all the material.

The majority of offices have some sort of paper shredder for destroying documents. There are three common designs to a paper shredder: standard strip cutting, ultra security cutting, and highly effective cross cutting. If your business goes through a lot of paperwork (and who’s doesn’t?) you may want to consider a professional paper shredding company. They will most often leave you a can to place your documents in and they take care of the rest, while abiding by all security laws.

Valerie

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October 9, 2010

Detect Key Logger, Identity Theft Spyware

Filed under: Legal — Tags: Account Passwords, Anti Virus, Computer Activity, Computer Experts, Computer Scan, Credit Card Numbers, Credit Cards Hackers, Entire Organization, Internet Search Engine, Key Logger Software, Mail Attachments, Pop Up Windows, Recording Information, Unauthorized Computer, Virus Computer — admin @ 6:49 pm

Gary Gresham asked:

To detect key logger spyware, you need to know what it is and how it works. Key logger is an invisible software program that identity thieves can use to track your online activity.

It is almost impossible to detect key logger on your computer and even if you’re careful you’ll never know if it is recording information such as bank account passwords and credit card numbers.

You won’t even see your machine slow down or see anything unusual. It just silently watches every keystroke you type in as if the identity thieves were standing over your shoulder.

At least on third of all online scams can now be traced to keylogging. If you type key logger into any Internet search engine you can find several perfectly legal ways to buy and install it.

Several businesses use key logger software to monitor employee activity and parents can use keylogging to check up on the web sites their children are visiting. But in the hands of a hacker wanting to steal your financial information, key loggers are extremely dangerous.

Attackers who use key logger spyware often sell the information to third parties who can funnel money out of bank accounts or charge up credit cards. Hackers who use keylogging to get into one computer at a company have the ability to steal vital information from the entire organization.

The best rule of thumb is to carefully monitor what you download on your computer and what sites you visit. The major sites of banks and retailers are usually relatively safe. But be aware of downloading free software from an unfamiliar site that could leave you vulnerable to a potential hacker.

Here are a few tips to protect you against keylogging:

Never open spam e-mail.
Do not open e-mail attachments from someone you don’t know.
Do not click ok on pop-up windows without reading them first.
Use a firewall to help prevent any unauthorized computer activity.
Run a weekly, full system anti-virus computer scan.

Computer experts say the number of keylogging crimes is on the rise but there are ways to protect yourself . Detecting key logger spyware and destroying it can be done by installing spyware protection software.

Becoming aware of the different ways that you can avoid this from happening to you is the first step to protecting yourself.

Copyright

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August 9, 2010

Emerging Technologies For the Prevention of Identity Theft

Filed under: Legal — Tags: Credit Card Numbers, Credit Requests, Emerging Technologies, Fingerprint Scanners, Forensics, High Risk, Home Computers, Identity Fraud, Large Corporations, Number Changes, Personal Banking, Retina, Risk Areas, Scanner, Science Fiction — admin @ 6:09 pm

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

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July 29, 2010

How to Prevent Identity Theft From Happening to You – 3 Tips to Help With Identity Theft Prevention

Filed under: Legal — Tags: Countless Individuals, Credit Card Numbers, Criminals, Energy Company, Good Reason, Hasn, Helpful Tips, How To Prevent Identity Theft, Lucky, People, Recycling Bins, Single Day, Sole Purpose, Tap, Theft Prevention — admin @ 7:43 am

William Harty asked:

If you’re paranoid by thought of your identity being stolen then you have very good reason to. It is more needed then ever these days to know how to prevent identity theft from the millions of lurking criminals who steal identities every single day. Did you know that 1 in 25 people just in America will have their identity stolen each and every year? If that hasn’t happened to you yet, you better consider yourself very lucky.

Here are 3 helpful tips to use that will prevent identity theft from happening to you.

1 – Never give your private information to people over the phone, especially if you do not currently have identity protection. It is extremely easy for anyone to tap into your phones these days and there countless individuals and businesses that make a living as pretending to be your local bank or energy company.

2 – Always use bank owned ATM machines. Did you know of how many erroneous ATM machines are out there? Their sole purpose is to get your credit card numbers and store them. Be extra cautious of this if you live in the big city especially.

3 – Shred all of your documents, especially the important legal ones. There are numerous cases of criminals easily stealing identities simply because its available in recycling bins. You do not want to toss your private information when anyone can easily pick it up.

I hope this has helped you understand how to prevent identity theft more so you can avoid being the next statistic. If you really want to feel secure it is best to have identity protection as well.

Eddie

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July 20, 2010

How Do Identity Thieves Steal Your Identity?

Filed under: Legal — Tags: Account Numbers, Bank Statements, College Information, Credit Card Numbers, Easy Access, Email, Employment History, Phone Book, Resume, Social Security, Subject Line, Tactic, Thief, Thieves, Trash — admin @ 12:57 pm

Dan Riffle asked:

While identity thieves will use any data possible to assume the identity of another, their bread and butter revolves around your name, social security number, account numbers and credit card numbers. With this information, an identity thief’s next vacation is right around the corner. That is why these items should be your most guarded.

Identity thieves have come up with many inventive ways to steal your identity. Some are very technical, some not so much:

o Do you have an outside unlocked mailbox? Why? This is the first stop for an ID thief. Your mailbox allows easy access to your bank statements, credit card numbers, mortgage statements, 401k account information. Your mailbox is an open book to your life. Close it.

o Have you ever received an email from a financial institution with which you have no association and the subject line states that they need your account information to process a transaction (or similar situation)? This is a “phishing” attempt. They cast out their line into the email ocean of millions of addresses hoping only to bait one unsuspecting fish. While you might not have an account with the financial institution they’re using, thousands of people will. How many of those people will be caught off guard? By the way, these emails, if you open them, appear very official and can even appear to link back to the actual institution. Don’t fall for it.

o Does your company website list information about you, maybe in the form of a small bio and a picture? Ouch! Now the identity thief has your employment history, your college information, and so on. The same thing goes for publicly listing your resume. Couple this information with information found in the phone book and the identity thief has your history along with whatever they can garner from your unlocked mailbox.

o They might steal your trash. You’ve seen a movie or twelve in which a criminal steals somebody’s trash and finds out all about them. This is a tactic commonly know as dumpster diving. (A simple fix for this? Buy a shredder, shred everything twice and divide everything into multiple trash bags. This way one trash bag shouldn’t contain the entire shredded remains of any single document.)

o They might pose as a telemarketer from a company they know you do business with and call you to upgrade your service or convince you to buy some add-on. They will be very convincing because they will have your account number, last payment amount, your address and any other bit of information they can glean from the statement they stole from your…you guessed it…unlocked mailbox. They’ll convince you to add on that service or purchase that new whiz-bang gizmo. “Now, sir, all I need is your credit card number, the three digit code on the back of your credit card and your date of birth and we’ll place the order for you today.” Ouch.

o Outright theft. Some identity thieves just don’t have time for elaborate hoaxes or technologically advances scams. They just steal your purse or wallet whenever they see an opportunity. Another thing they might steal: employee records. It’s amazing the information provided in an employee file!

o They might fill out a change of address form and have your statements sent directly to them.

o They might know you! The identity thief might be your brother, cousin, best friend or…spouse. It isn’t unusual for identity theft victims to get played by someone they know. This is the most unfortunate of circumstance because there’s not much you can do to prevent it outside of never talking about your personal information. This, however, can be hard to hide from a spouse or close relative.

This is just a small list of possible ways to have your identity stolen. Most of the above situations can be avoided with a little forethought and planning. Understanding that identity theft is always a possibility is the first step in avoiding it.

Martin

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January 7, 2010

Identity Theft Is A Real Threat To Your Credit

Filed under: Credit — Tags: Consumers, Credit Card Numbers, Credit Freeze, Credit Rating Agencies, Credit Worthiness, Economic Crimes, Financial Gain, Fraudulent Activity, General Assembly, Institutions, Law Enforcement, License Numbers, Prospective Creditors, Social Security, Social Security Numbers — admin @ 5:50 am

Gregory Wadel asked:

Identity theft is a real threat. It occurs when someone obtains credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, bank account information or other pieces of private information and uses them to commit some sort of fraud or deception, usually for financial gain. 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, also known as ID theft is a crime in which a criminal obtains key pieces of personal information, such as Social Security or driver’s license numbers, in order to pose as someone else. The information can be used to obtain credit, merchandise, and services using the victims name.

Victims might spend months or even years regaining their credit worthiness. In the meantime, the victims find it difficult to obtain loans, get a job, an apartment, or even write checks. Victims of economic crimes are encouraged to contact the following companies when their identity has been compromised by criminal activity.

Consumers were asked to name institutions where fraudulent accounts were created or where their accounts were affected by fraudulent activity. While the size of banks could be estimated by the amount of money they held in deposits, no such measure is available for telecommunications firms.

Consumers can protect themselves from identity theft in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most effective shield is a “credit freeze.”.Under a law proposed by my office and passed by the General Assembly, consumers can have one of the major credit rating agencies “freeze” their credit.

Luckily, I have a good agent that told me about it over a year ago. Look for any unauthorized accounts as well as numerous requests for your information from prospective creditors, which may indicate that someone is attempting to open accounts using your information. If you discover any unauthorized use of your personal information, you should contact your local law enforcement.

Last year, the government lost two computer discs containing government records on 25 million people. And in January the Ministry of Defense admitted it had lost control of a laptop containing unencrypted records on 600,000 prospective military recruits.

Identity theft is a felony crime; however, police cannot help with your credit record or undo the damage that has been done. Delayed discovery of identity theft and the various ways criminals can now gain access to your personal information, can complicate a criminal investigation. Identity theft often goes undectected.

Within a month of being committed, half of the crimes still remain unnoticed. Identity theft has grown at an astounding rate since the widespread adoption of the Internet. Every day new news appears about incidents of identity theft, new methods of theft, and cutting edge technologies designed to protect your identity.

Contact your local police department and ask to file a criminal complaint. Some police departments aren’t too thrilled to do this, since it is a very difficult case to pursue. Contact your banks and have them help you obtain new account numbers for all your accounts. Pick a new PIN number for ATM and debit cards.

Arthur

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October 23, 2009

What One Top Ten Identity Theft State is Doing About It

Filed under: Law — Tags: Bank Accounts, Credit Application, Credit Card Applications, Credit Card Numbers, Credit Information, Debit And Credit, Junk Mail, Personal Documents, Proactive, Public Trash Cans, Radio Shack, Savvy Consumers, Social Security Number, Social Security Numbers, Taking Steps — admin @ 5:16 am

Lisa Carey asked:

Consumers are not the only ones concerned about and taking steps to protect against identity theft. Many states are taking important steps to protect their residents. A few of these steps include stiffer penalties, imposing sanctions and fines on careless companies and providing their residents with many tools necessary to correct the errors that identity theft has caused.

Many identity theft savvy consumers are: installing anti-spy ware, using shredders, reducing the use of their social security number, using services to stop junk mail and risky credit card applications. But what about the actions of others? After all the care you take to protect yourself, what happens when others, such as companies or service providers do not?

Businesses that have access to your information aren’t always looking for you. It is far too easy to simply throw important personal information away, than to take the sometimes expensive steps needed to have it professionally disposed of. But many states are looking out for your best interest, especially when it comes to identity theft. Texas has a growing reputation for being proactive in preventing identity theft and tough on punishing businesses who don’t protect the consumer. Texas law requires vendors to take specific precautions before disposing of personal documents that may include customers’ bank accounts, driver’s license and Social Security numbers. In the state of Texas, you can bet companies will be thinking twice before dumping your credit application in a public trash can.

Examples of Poor Business Practices:

Public trash cans outside a local Radio Shack were filled with thousands of customer’s sensitive personal and credit information after the dumping of these documents. Credit applications containing names, social security numbers, debit and credit card numbers as well as addresses and telephone numbers and receipts were located, exposing many Radio Shack Consumers to identity theft or credit card fraud.

After investigations by the State of Texas Attorney General’s office, a settlement was reached. Under the settlement with Radio-Shack, the retailer is required to enhance security procedures and implement employee training. Radio Shack also agreed to unannounced compliance audits in all Texas stores bi-annually.

Select Medical was investigated after a report that over 4,000 documents were found in the garbage behind their Select Physical Therapy Location. These un-shredded records included bank account numbers, drug testing results, insurance verification sheets as well as sensitive social and vocational therapy questionnaires.

Select Medical will also be required to amend security procedures and implement training for Texas employees about the newly established state laws governing customer record disposal.

The insurance forms are of particular concern in light of the growing trend of medical identity theft, in which an individuals’ insurance information is used to obtain medical services or to commit insurance fraud.

Under the settlement agreement, the state of Texas will receive nearly $1.5 million in fines, including attorney’s fees. As outlined in the Identity Theft and Protection Act, the remainder will be used for the investigation and prosecution of future cases of identity theft.

Stiff penalties are just one of the steps taken to protect and prevent identity theft. The Texas Attorney General’s Office has created a checklist for victims of identity theft to take steps and track their progress during recovery. The identity theft check list includes information and forms on: closing all fraudulent accounts made in your name, contacting the 3 major credit reporting agencies and requesting a fraud alert or security freeze for new accounts, reporting identity theft crimes for local law enforcement and obtaining a copy of the police report, and reporting identity theft crimes to Federal Trade Commission and completing and ID Theft Affidavit. Victims are also advised to file a consumer complaint with the Office of the Attorney General in the event that they are harassed by credit collectors as a result of identity theft. Additionally The Texas Attorney General’s Office also offers an Identity Theft Victim’s Kit.

According to 2006 state statistics on identity theft, Texas ranks fourth in the area of identity theft. States are ranked according to victims per 100,000 people, and it should be noted that Texas also has a higher population than many other states. The top ten states with the Most Victims of Identity Theft Per Capita are: Arizona, Nevada, California, Texas, Florida, Colorado, Georgia, New York, Washington, and New Mexico.

Just because your state did not make the top ten list, doesn’t mean you are safe. No matter where you live, this crime is a real problem. Information, advocacy, laws and prosecutions in any state will ultimately help everyone but in the mean time consumers must educate themselves and arm themselves with protection against identity theft as well as the remedies available to them. With the continued efforts of law enforcement, state and federal agencies, stiffer fines and penalties as well as requiring a higher standard of care from businesses, progress is being made on many levels in protecting consumers.

Jennifer

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August 15, 2009

Coping With Identity Theft

Filed under: Finance — Tags: Atm Cards, Calling Cards, Credit Card Numbers, Lucky Dip, Mail Bills, Mail Preference Service, Maximum Money, Personal Numbers, Preventive Steps, Prized Possessions, Residential Address, Security Guards, Social Security Numbers, Telephone Preference Service, Wrong Hands — admin @ 8:58 am

Joseph Kenny asked:

Lock your doors, hide your money in the safe, hire security guards to protect your prized possessions, but what can you do if someone stole your identity? If something valuable is stolen, you can call the police and hope to get your stolen property back. Rightly termed as the crime of the 21st century, victimizing millions of Americans, you can do very little if you find your identity stolen. Identity theft is on the rise, and nearly everyone is vulnerable to this new-age form of fraud.

How is it done?

Using all possible methods, criminals steal credit card numbers, social security numbers, telephone calling cards, ATM cards and other key pieces of an individual’s identities. The information on these is used to impersonate the victim, by spending maximum money in the shortest time they can.

Preventive steps or Precautions

1. Avoid carrying valuable documents and cards with you whenever you go out, unless it’s absolutely necessary.

2. Opt for the Direct Marketing Associations Mail Preference Service and the Telephone Preference Service. By doing this, your name is added to the computerized name deletion lists used by marketers all over the nation.

3. Pick the newly ordered checks from the bank and do not allow them to be sent to your residential address.

4. To keep the mailing system secure, install a locked mailbox at your residence.

5. Post mail bills and other sensitive items at the post office instead of the neighborhood drop boxes. Sometimes the envelopes containing the address could land in the wrong hands and be altered.

6. Do not give out information over the phone unless it is an individual belonging to a trusted company. Lottery and ‘lucky dip’ calls should not be entertained, as they are usually hoax.

7. Release Social Security Numbers (SSN) only if it is necessary.

8. While creating passwords and PIN numbers, avoid using numbers from social security, birth date, middle name or any kind of important personal numbers; these are said to be easy for criminals to figure out.

9. Cross check that financial institutions are safeguarding your important data. Insist on the removal of account numbers from ATM slips; also ask them to shred the paper reports before throwing them away.

After the Theft

1. The moment you feel that there has been an identity theft, it is important to report the crime to the police. Provide all the requisite documented evidence. Even if the police refuse to give the report, be persistent and demand it. Keep the police report for the bank and credit card company’s reference.

2. Inform the banks, cancel all the savings and checking accounts and get new account numbers.

3. Call the 3 credit reporting companies and ask them to flag the accounts. Ask for a fraud alert to be attached to the report and extend it later if you want to. This fraud alert lets creditors contact you whenever there is an attempt to open an account in your name.

4. File an ID theft affidavit with the Federal Trade Commission after reporting the theft. This affidavit can be sent to credit bureaus and institutions to close fraudulent debts and accounts opened in your name.

5. Lastly, do not blame yourself for the theft, you being the victim should not feel guilty for the theft, and instead handle the situation calmly.

Do not let all the reputation and respect you have earned be trifled with by a petty thief. It is sometimes observed that people you know are the ones who sabotage your identity by using it against you. Be on the safe side and avoid disclosing any personal information to anyone. The identity you have been given is yours to have; no other person has the right to take it from you.

Tommy

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June 1, 2009

Id Theft and You

Filed under: Cyber Law — Tags: Bogus Charges, Credit Card Numbers, Criminal Acts, Eliot Spitzer, Id Theft Prevention, Illegal Purpose, Illegal Purposes, Insurance Executives, Marshalls, Name Social Security, New York Attorney General, Obtaining Credit, Online Retailers, Proper Medical Treatment, York Attorney — admin @ 10:54 am

Pj Germain asked:

Identity Theft

Identity theft is the wrongful use of YOUR personal information – such as your name, social security number, or credit card number – without your permission by another person to commit fraudulent or criminal acts. ID thieves take out phony loans or ring up bogus charges in your name.Identity theft is often a question of too little privacy or too much identification. How can so much information get out if you personally keep it private? Identity Theft is when someone uses someone else’s personal identifying information for illegal purposes. The illegal purpose often involves acquiring goods and services and/or obtaining credit in the victim/s name.

Identity Theft is less risky, incredibly easy, and highly profitable as compared to most other crimes. A thief who robs you at gunpoint and is caught is likely to be sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison.

Consumers

Consumers are also wary of where their information – address and credit card numbers – goes after they have filled out the online purchase forms. Even more surprising, 34% said they are not confident in credit card companies or online retailers ability to keep personal information private. Consumers are still shopping at TJ Maxx and Marshalls because they aren’t personally feeling the pain of that mammoth data breach. Consumers battling a weight problem often fail to get proper medical treatment, instead falling for infomercial-driven scams and no-sweat schemes. New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, taking a short break from putting insurance executives in prison, suggests beefy consumers expend some energy checking whether their health plan will cover medical treatment and professional nutrition counseling for their obesity.

ID Theft Prevention

Review all medical records, claims and reports for unusual entries Look for services never rendered to you or your dependents, inaccurate diagnoses, address changes, collections, and disclosures made to other agencies or health providers. Dispute any misinformation with your insurance provider, health provider or credit bureaus for investigation and/or removal Make all disputes in writing and provide copies of any claims that include misinformation. Review your monthly statement for unfamiliar charges, and shred all papers that contain personal information. Order a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com , and stagger your requests so you can review a report every four months.

Julie

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April 25, 2009

The Predicament of Phone ID Theft

Filed under: Cell Phones — Tags: Carelessness, Cellular Phone, Conveniences, Credit Card Numbers, Internet Service Supplier, National Identity, Phone Banking, Phone Customer, Phone Customers, Phone Id, Predicament, Rectification, Repercussions, Social Security Number, Technological Improvements — admin @ 1:50 pm

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

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