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Helpful identity theft
protection tips and resource
What is Identity Theft?
Many times, identity theft is done to gain
access to finances or frame another person for a crime. It can also be
to enable terrorism, espionage, illegal immigration or changing identity
completely. However, assuming someone’s identity with the approval of
that person for reasons such as cheating on an exam is not considered
identity theft.
Identity Theft Can Take Over Your Life
They can literally take over your entire
life, and it can be very difficult to catch them, because after all,
everything traces right back to you.
Be Responsible with Your Credit Card
Today’s identity thieves, have found subtler
ways of gaining your information.
Watch Over Your Personal
Information
Your personal information can be
easily obtained so guard it carefully...
Reporting Credit Card Fraud
Report any suspicious activity
as soon as you notice it...
Protecting Banking Information
Keeping your bank statements safely locked
up is a good way to prevent identity theft...
Protect Your Personal Information
Refuse to give your personal information to
anyone by phone or internet...
Keep your Security Codes Private
Do not keep a written list of
any personal identification codes...
Famous Cases of Identity Theft
Identity theft is becoming increasingly
common. With this crime, no one is safe. From the “regular Joe” to large
corporations, identity theft is spreading and shows no bounds.
Adrian Lamo. Friend or Foe?
Hacker steals information from New York
Times...
ChoicePoint Case
Los Angeles case involved 16 victims of identity theft...
Famous People
Identify theft can happen people in the media, sports
figures, actors and actresses..
Minimize
the Damage by Acting Quickly
You will need to contact the three major
credit reporting companies...
Dealing with Creditors
Deal with creditors either by phone or in
writing...
Hackers and Identity Theft - Phishing
A phishing attack is so named because people
cast the bait on the internet via email in hopes that you will bite. If
you do so, they can lure personal information out of you to aid in the
theft of your identity.
Hijacking Websites for Information
It’s all about your personal information.
There is likely a lot of your personal information stored on your
computer at home and at work. You probably access your bank account,
credit card accounts and a variety of other transactions that you can do
online
Spamming Emails for Personal Info
Spammers live by a code-bait 1000 hooks, get
a few bites. This pays off for them, sending emails doesn’t cost a
thing, and once one template email has been created, it’s only a matter
of retrieving email addresses, which isn’t that hard either.
Resources for Preventing
Identity Theft
Obtain regular credit reports on your personal credit history to ensure
that you are safe.
Resources for Reporting
Identity Theft
You should be sure to file a report with the
local police department as well as contacting the credit reporting
agencies.
Other Resources if You are a Victim of Identity Theft
There are several agencies you can contact
for help when a victim on identity theft...
Identity Theft - On the Rise?
Identity Theft is one of the fastest growing
crimes across the United States. Identity theft is a crime where someone
gets important pieces of information about another person, such as a
Social Security number and a driver's license number
How Thief's Get Your
Information
To commit the identity theft, a thief will
even resort to stealing your mail. In your mail, they will be looking
for anything that contains information about you that will help them
successfully commit identity theft.
Online Versus Offline
Identity Theft
According to a recent report released by the
Better Business Bureau, online identity theft is less severe and not as
costly as offline identity theft.
Ways to Prevent Offline
Identity Theft
Studies have show that offline identity
theft occurs more often that offline identity theft.
The Latest Identity Theft Scams
With identity theft, the most important word
to remember is prevention. And part of preventing identity theft is
being knowledgeable about the latest scams and schemes taking place in
the identity theft circuit.
Credit Card Scam Alert
With this scam, a person claiming to work
for VISA or Mastercard will call you.
Phisher Scams
Some recent popular phisher scams have
targeted Best Buys, E-Bay, Earthlink, Bank of America, Paypal and many
others.
Money Moving Scams
The most active form of this scam is called
“Nigerian Money Offers.”
Job Advertisement Scams
Before submitting a social security number
to a potential employer, verify the company’s existence.
In-Store Security Scams
Another recent scam has involved con artists
posing as in-store security agents.
Charities Scams
If you wish to make a donation to a charity
with a credit card, call that organization directly.
The Issue of Privacy
We all need to be aware the issues of privacy and we must all stay
informed and alert to the possibility of abuses so that they can be
prevented.
Privacy Concerns and
Identity Theft
In today’s highly advanced age of technological, privacy sometimes is
hard to maintain.
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