Posts Tagged ‘Mail’

3
Oct

Credit Card Fraud - 5 Tips To Prevent It Happening To You

   Posted by: Admin    in Identity Theft Knowledge Base

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You had a great weekend. You and your best friend went shopping the mall. At the mall, you picked up some cash at the ATM and you some great bargains at a couple of sales. Afterward, you went out for dinner and drinks to discuss the week’s events and gossip about the rest of the crowd. After dinner, you gave your credit card to the waitress, signed the bill, and went home for a good night’s sleep.

On Monday, life gets back to normal, and the job beckons. But this Monday is different. With today’s mail is your credit card billing statement. Relaxing from work, you review the statement. What’s this? There are purchases on the statement for things you know you didn’t buy. And the balance is through the roof! What is going on?

You call the credit card company to find out what’s happened. They are helpful but not very sympathetic. They note you’re near your credit limit and suggest you may a hefty payment this month. They don’t understand. You did NOT make those purchases. What can you do now?

If you’ve been through this before, you know you’ve been a victim of a crime. Call it identity theft or credit card fraud, it’s illegal, and it carries penalties IF the criminal gets caught. Somehow, someone has gotten hold of your personal financial information. They’ve used your credit and your credit record to steal from both you and the credit card company. The problem is, now the credit card company wants you to pay the bill. If you don’t, it will hurt your credit score and make it more difficult to get loans at a good rate or open a new account in the future. You’re in a jam, and the criminal who stole your identity is out partying on your good credit.

How could this have happened? Was there someone standing behind you at the ATM, observing you enter your PIN for cash? Or did the waitress leave your card unattended out on a counter at the restaurant? Did you forget your card at the restaurant? Better check your wallet to be sure. You feel violated, as if someone had broken into your home. And this criminal doesn’t have a face or a name. You have no idea who or where the identity theft is. And you don’t have a clue about what to do about it.

Criminals like this commit identity theft by getting access to your personal information. They can use your birth date, your social security or driver’s license number, your account numbers, your PINs, and your passwords to sneak into your accounts and rob you. In 2003, around 10 million people were victims of identity theft, and it cost them a total of $5 billion out-of-pocket. It also cost merchants and financial institutions $50 billion in that year. Each victim of identity theft ended up spending from $500 to $1200 and from 30 to 60 hours of personal time trying to resolve the problem. And these thefts took place over a three- to six-month period.

How can they get away with this malicious crime? It’s an increasing problem due to our wonderful technology and the internet. Often, buyers and sellers don’t have personal face-to-face contact. Transactions take place over the internet or telephone. The seller doesn’t see the identity thief and can’t identify them. All the criminal has to do is give them a different shipping address from your billing address. Some identity thieves even submit change of address information to your bank and credit accounts, making it more difficult for you to spot unauthorized transactions.

Why don’t people find out about identity theft sooner? You may be surprised, but most people don’t check their statements as soon as they get them. They may set them aside, making payments on the balance without reviewing the purchases and giving the thief even more time to run up a big tab.

Even when the theft is discovered, it’s very difficult to find the perpetrator. They’re using your address and information. Bogus shipping addresses may go to a post office box or postal service. They may even go to a non-existent address. All the thief has to do is monitor for deliveries.

Another reason it’s hard to prevent identity theft on your credit cards is that no one knows about it until the monthly billing statement goes out. As mentioned before, only the most diligent credit card holders catch these abuses quickly when they review their statements. Some people assume the credit card company’s records are accurate. They may even assume they made the purchase when, in fact, it was an identity thief. Normally, identity thieves who prey upon credit cards make as many purchases as they can in the days immediately following the theft. They can quickly reach your credit limit and often exceed it. You find out about it when your purchases are refused by the company or when the debt collector calls.

Having a little of your personal information gives access to the rest of your information. Identity thieves often misrepresent themselves, calling your bank or credit card company with a piece of personal information to learn more about your accounts. When this happens, you become even more vulnerable. Pretending to be you, they can transfer money out of your accounts, change your address, and apply for mortgages or loans. They may even rent apartments or apply for jobs, masquerading as you.

If you think you’ve become a victim of identity theft, you should immediately take action to stop the crime or maybe even catch the thief:

1. Immediately file a police report. Do not pass go. Do not wait a day or two. As soon as you’re aware of fraudulent purchases or misrepresentations, contact your local police. You can also call the local U.S. Attorney’s Office. Identity theft is often considered a federal crime, depending on the circumstances. When you’ve made your report, be sure to get and keep a copy of it so that you can provide the information to your bank and creditors.

2. File a report with the postal service. This may help you find out where goods were delivered and prevent the continued use of a bogus address.

3. Notify the credit bureau. Immediately inform at least one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian). You may qualify for a free credit report. You can also freeze your credit reporting. That way, you will be alerted if anyone makes a credit inquiry or tries to open a new account in your name. There is a small fee for freezing the report, but it’s well worth it to protect further abuses.

4. Notify your bank and all your creditors of the crime. Close your accounts and reopen them so that you change all your account numbers. If they’ll agree to do it, assign a special password to your account so that transactions can’t be processed without your express authorization. And make sure that check verification companies are aware of the problem so that they will not authorize the use of fake or stolen checks.

5. Change your PINs and passwords immediately. If you must keep a written list of them, keep that list under lock and key, and don’t share it with anyone. If you keep them in an electronic file, be sure to password protect the file. When you change your passwords, use new ones that combine letters, numbers, and symbols. And for heaven’s sake, don’t use the standard birth date, anniversary, or pet’s name. Think of something unusual, something people who know you won’t likely guess.

Identity theft is a serious, and increasing, crime. No one is immune. If you become a victim of this callous crime, you should act immediately to stop the activity and to help law enforcement catch and prosecute the perpetrator. Be sure that every company with which you have financial dealings is aware of the problem. Alert them quickly and get their cooperation in stopping and catching the thief.

We’ve all heard the nightmare stories from victims of identity theft. Tales of expenses and time lost to repairing good credit abound. In the most extreme cases, identity thieves commit other crimes using their victim’s personal information, so you can even get in trouble with the law as a victim of identity theft.

Be vigilant. Be suspicious when it comes to your financial information and accounts. Guard your information carefully. Review financial documents as soon as you receive them, and follow up immediately if you find problems. You may not be able to control every aspect of your financial record, but you can take many common-sense steps to protect it and prevent identity theft from making you the next victim.



By: Abhishek Agarwal

About the Author:

Abhishek is a Personal Security expert and he has got some great Identity Theft Prevention Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 136 Pages Ebook, “Identity Theft - Don’t Be The Next Victim!” from his website http://www.Survival-Today.com/14/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.



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29
Aug

Common Sense is your Best Anti-theft Device

   Posted by: Admin    in Identity Theft Knowledge Base

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Just like other crimes, a burglary can be a totally random event. However, when it’s planned, there are certain things a burglar will look for when staking out a possible break-in, and there are steps the homeowner can take to minimize this risk.

This is a good checklist before leaving your home empty or for beefing up your protection against theft:

Study your house from the street, and look for any valuables that may be visible from the street. Don’t give thieves a reason to show up.

Before leaving for any length of time, ensure that all windows and doors are locked, including the door to your garage. Many home invasion robberies come through garage doors and inner doors to the houses. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate.

Place a piece of wood or metal in the track of any sliding doors to prevent opening.

Don’t leave your house in darkness when you’re away, create a sense of activity by using timers on lights, radios and televisions.

Install low-voltage lighting outdoors to keep your surrounding yard well lit. Install motion detectors in dark areas along the sides and back of house to alert you of any intruders.

Suspend your newspaper delivery while you’re away and ask your neighbor to collect your mail. You may even ask them to park in your driveway while you’re away.

Never leave a message on your answering machine that says you’re on vacation.

Keep any shrubbery near your walkway or entrance trimmed; removing any possible hiding places. Think about planting cactus or rosebushes under windows that may be especially vulnerable.

Advise your neighborhood watch that you’ll be away.

Ensure your security system is activated when you leave.

Etch your name on all electronic equipment to serve as a deterrent as well as assisting police in the recovery your property. It’s more difficult to sell stolen property that has the owners name on it. Make a video tape of your possessions and record the serial numbers.

Get a safe, not just for your jewels, but for important paperwork as well. Identity theft is a crime that’s on the rise and you want to minimize any availability to your personal records.

The more you can do to deter an intruder, the better your chances are that your home will not be chosen as a target. Studies have shown that if it takes a burglar more than four or five minutes to break into a home, they’ll move on. If you increase their vulnerability by adding a well-lit area or a barking dog, that minimizes your risk again.



By: Doug Jones

About the Author:

This article was written on behalf of Doug Jones, an award winning San Diego REALTOR



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20
Jul

Protect Yourself From Credit Card Scams

   Posted by: Admin    in Identity Theft Knowledge Base

With so many credit card offers coming to your door every week, it can be difficult to make a decision. Yet, there are important reasons to take your time to review each offer carefully. Each credit card has its own rates, terms, and rewards packages. If you want to find the right card, meaning one that fit your needs, you must do proper research. Nowhere is this more important than when it comes to credit card scams.

Unfortunately, there are credit card companies that take advantage of people who do not know much about their cards or how they are properly used. Credit cards can be a recipe for financial disaster, especially when they are misused and the policies adopted by these companies favor their own interests over those of their customers. Understanding how to protect yourself from these credit card scams should be a priority.

Here are some offers that you need to watch out whether you get them in the mail or off the web:

Advance fees on credit cards

Debt suspension

Credit protection

It seems reasonable at first. All you have to do is pay a small advance fee to receive your credit card, regardless of your credit rating. If this wasn’t enough, these same companies make such offers more attractive by saying that you will receive low interest rates and large credit lines. For those slightly more suspicious, the fee is explained as a necessary part of the card application process or in order to move you to pre-approval status. The likely result is that if you pay an advance fee you will not see your credit card and you will loose you money as well.

Another credit card scam that plays off of the misfortune cardholders involves debt suspension. There are circumstances that befall customers like unforeseen medical problems or loss of work that keep them from paying off their balances. Nearly all of the major credit card companies offer debt suspension services to provide relief through temporary suspension of debts until you can resume payment. The scam centers on the fact that many are ignorant about these services. Certain companies prey upon this lack of knowledge and offer this same protection at a cost even though they are given free of charge.

Similarly, credit protection programs are offered by independent agencies despite the fact that there are federal protections already in place for credit cardholders whose cards are lost, stolen, or used without permission. It is simply a waste of your money to seek out and pay for this unnecessary protection. The likelihood of getting compensated for claims is very small in these situations.

The object is to keep you from making these costly mistakes - and hopefully keeping more money in your pockets. Keep an eye out for these credit card scams and others that may use ignorance of credit card protections and policies against cardholders.



By: Joseph Kenny

About the Author:

Joe Kenny writes for Credit Cards Web, offering credit cards in the UK, visit them today for 0% balance transfers and grab a great deal today. More credit cards are on offer at Only Stop.



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12
Jul

Phishing scams - www.IdentityTheft.info

   Posted by: Admin    in ID Theft

crooks obtain your information (credit and debit card numbers, usernames, passwords, SSN) they can use it several illegal purposes. Visit www.IdentityTheft.info “The” identity theft information site for more comprehensive articles, news and videos about how to protect yourself and your family. … Phishing Identity theft id internet spam email e-mail fraud fake ebay paypal irs anti working group phish how to bank credit card phishers mail emails example scam scams security tutorial prevent stop …

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15
May

Top 5 Facts On Credit Card Identity Theft

   Posted by: Admin    in Identity Theft Knowledge Base

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What exactly is credit card identity theft, how is it used and how can you prevent it? In this article we will look at ten facts you need to know about credit card identity theft in order to better protect yourself and prevent the loss of substantial amounts of money.

The first fact that we want to look at is that for credit card identity theft to occur someone does not necessarily need to steal your credit card. Credit card identity theft occurs in one of three ways – they can steal your card, copy the details off your credit card or steal your PIN. In the last two cases you may not even realize that something is wrong until it is too late, you still have your credit card and so don’t realize that important information has actually already been extracted. The thief may have copied down your credit card information while you weren’t looking, or they may have just noticed you entering your PIN when you drew money from an ATM and made a note of it without you realizing it.

Secondly, credit card identity theft can occur through someone signing up for a credit card in your name. They will have obtained your details obviously through some method (maybe some mail stolen out of your postbox) and all they do is give a change of address, sign up for a new card and start spending on it. When they don’t pay it is you the credit card issuer will be contacting and you will suddenly find yourself faced with masses of debt that someone else has accumulated on their spending sprees.

No one is ever 100% secure from credit card identity theft. Unfortunately there will always be credit card identity theft and people who do this are very sneaky and know what they are doing. Also, the fact that identity theft may occur through simply through stealing mail you never know when this may happen. The best you can do is to put systems in place to help protect yourself and be ready to take action if anything should occur. For more info see http://www.preventidentitythefthelp.com/Identity_Theft_Shield/

Another interesting fact is that currently most credit card identity theft is happening in stores and not over the internet. Many people feel that giving out your credit card details over the internet is insecure, but what they may not realize is that you are actually more likely to have your credit card details stolen in stores than over the internet. This does not mean that you should be careless with your details on the internet, but simply that you should be just as careful at stores.

Lastly, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. One of the categories of identity theft is credit card identity theft and as such it is important that you learn as much as you can about this subject and what you can do to protect yourself.

In conclusion, identity theft and credit card identity theft as a part of that, is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. Credit card identity theft can occur in a number of ways and no one is ever 100% secure from being a victim of credit card identity theft. As such it is important that everyone learn as much as possible about this subject in order to be able to protect themselves.

By: Amanda Fain

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You can also find more information at Identity Theft Shopping Online and Identity Theft Software.

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3
May

What You Need To Know About Computer Identity Theft

   Posted by: Admin    in Identity Theft Knowledge Base

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There is so much that you need to know about computer identity theft, and in fact out of all the types of identity theft in general, computer identity theft is by far the most common. This is not hard to believe, considering the amount of time that the average person spends on a computer each day in the world we now live in.

We buy so much and so often put our personal information out over the computer that it is no wonder why computer identity theft statistics are rising so dramatically. Especially in regards to credit cards in particular, computer identity theft is the easiest type of identity theft for criminals, and this is why if you use a computer - and you most likely do - then you are going to have to take steps in order to make sure that you are not a victim of computer identity theft.

Steps That you Should Take

There are many different steps and precautions that you can take in order to make yourself as protected as possible against this type of theft, however you are also going to want to keep in mind the fact that regardless of what you do, there is no real way that you can make yourself completely safe, however prevention is the best method, and so you should remember this.

The more steps and precautions that you take, the better off that you are going to be, and one of the best things that you can do, is make sure to go into your bank on a frequent basis in order to get someone to do a check to see if any of your personal information is being used by anyone but you.

Although it is obviously more critical to do something like this if you have had your wallet stolen or lost for instance, it is still a good idea to do it regardless, because there are many other ways that you can have your identity stolen besides from your identification in your wallet. For instance, someone could have gone through your trash and found a piece of mail that had your personal information on it and used that.

It is really not hard for a person to steal another person’s identity, however unfortunate that may be, and so you are going to want to make sure that you make smart decisions, such as ripping or cutting up your mail before you throw it out.

By: Ann Marier

About the Author:

Ann Merier has written many articles on family health problems and useful house and garden Topics. How To Prevent Identity Theft

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28
Apr

Child Identity Theft

   Posted by: Admin    in Identity Theft Knowledge Base

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Do you want to learn about Identity Theft Prevention &

By: Randy Vezina

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24
Apr

Protecting your Kids From Identity Theft

   Posted by: Admin    in Identity Theft Knowledge Base

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Protect your kids from the risks associated with identity theft. Children often fall prey to identity fraud, and the numbers of young victims grows every year, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). There are several simple tips you can use to protect kids from identity theft.

Why Kids Are Targeted by Identity Thieves

Kids are easy targets for identity thieves. By law, children can’t apply for credit cards, loans or other lines of credit until they are 18. That gives identity thieves many opportunities to steal a child’s identity and use it freely to open lines of credit. In addition to random strangers stealing a child’s identity, unfortunately, unscrupulous family members also often target them.

Children Feel Effects of Identity Theft When They Venture Out in the World

Children who are identity theft victims feel the pain inflicted by the crime when they try to establish a credit history. Applying for a loan or a credit card, children and their families are often shocked to learn that their child has a poor credit history, even though they’ve never had a line of credit. A poor credit score can prevent kids from getting the jobs they want, obtaining credit cards, loans and more. Although justice is on their side, it can take years to clean up a lifetime of identity theft.

Protect Your Kids from Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft

Adults can protect kids from identity theft by taking a few safety precautions. Shredding paperwork from doctors and other entities that list a child’s Social Security number or date of birth can help protect children from identity fraud. Credit card and loan offers that arrive in the mail addressed to children should be addressed with the company sending the offer, so they know that they are sending items to minor children. Social Security cards and other personal information about children should be safely stored to avoid the risk of identity fraud.

Children Identity Fraud Repair: What to Do if the Worst Should Happen

If a child becomes a victim of identity fraud, there are a few things you can do to help them repair their credit history and regain their identity. Their Social Security number should be changed and a police report should be filed immediately. Credit card companies, lenders and collections agencies associated with the phony identity should be notified immediately about the identity theft.

Reduce the risk of identity theft with credit monitoring . Credit monitoring provides an added layer of protection against identity fraud with up to date information about credit scores and details of unusual activities on a credit report.

By: Lisa Nichols

About the Author:

Whether you’re looking to apply for a credit card online, or simply looking for financial guidance, ExpertsonCredit is the ultimate one-stop credit stop.

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28
Mar

Identity Theft Protection Tips for College Students

   Posted by: Admin    in Identity Theft Knowledge Base

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Help protect your kids from the risk of identity theft. When your kids leave for college, you won’t be able to keep close tabs on their activities. Help them prepare for college by giving them tips they can use to protect themselves from identity theft.

Before They Go: Identity Fraud Tips Your Kids Can Use at College

When your kids leave for college, there are several identity fraud protection tips you can give them to help them stay safe. Your children will start to receive offers for student credit cards when they are away at school. Building a solid credit history while still in school is a great idea, as long as it’s done responsibly. Your kids can stay safe at college by avoiding student loan and credit card offers that arrive as spam email. In addition, they should have spyware and an anti-virus program installed on their notebook or PC before they leave for school. That way, even if they accidentally click on a link in a spam email, they can delete or quarantine potentially harmful files by running the software.

Identity Theft Protection Tips for Kids Away at College

Once your kids are away at college, they need to continue to take safety measures to avoid identity theft. Kids should only respond to student credit card offers received in the mail or that they find online, at a credit card comparison website . Social networking websites are a great way to stay in touch with friends all over the globe. However, kids need to avoid accepting requests to interlink their Facebook and MySpace pages with people they don’t know, who may be identity thieves pretending to be students. Pimping out their “spaces” with downloads may also lead to identity fraud and should be avoided. Running spyware and anti-virus software programs will help counteract situations that can leave a computer compromised.

Use Credit Monitoring to Protect Kids in College from Identity Theft

Kids in college can use credit monitoring to make sure that they stay safe from identity theft. Credit monitoring provides updates to customers including information about credit checks and new accounts. Kids who use a solid credit monitoring program will receive immediate notification about any suspicious activity on their credit report.

By: Lisa Nichols

About the Author:

Lisa Nichols is a freelance writer, website content strategist and marketing and PR strategy consultant. Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Lisa is currently based in Covington, Kentucky (also known as greater Cincinnati, Ohio).

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