Is Your Identity Safe?
According the FBI, identity theft is the top online fraud. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is it's number one source of consumer complaints - 42 percent of all complaints, in 2001.
The thief will use your personal information to open credit card accounts, cell phone accounts, open bank accounts in your name and write bad checks-leaving the victim with the bills and ruined credit ratings. Identity thieves may pose as representatives of banks, Internet service providers and even government agencies to get you to reveal your Social Security number, mother's maiden name, financial account numbers and identifying information.
Identity theft is growing in alarming proportions.
Avoid being the next victim...
The main identity theft area for consumers is here and this is the page I'm talking about for you information hounds.
Phishing is one of the most common ways that people can try to steal your identity. Watch the video below to learn more about it.
This is good stuff, don't wait until you've been burned. Educate yourself now.
It Can Happen To You
"It was just the job lead Jim needed: a marketing manager position with Arthur Gallagher, a leading international insurance broker. And only days after Jim responded to the job posting on Monster.com, a human resources director sent along a promising e-mail. We're interested in you, the note said. The salary is negotiable, the clients big. In fact, the clients are so valuable and sensitive that you'll have to submit to a background check as part of the interview process. Eager for work, Jim complied- and sent off just about every key to his digital identity, including his age, height, weight, Social Security number, bank account numbers, even his mother's maiden name."
Jim spent the day canceling his credit cards, checking his balances and contacting the credit bureaus, but he's concerned that his information is now "out there".
Warning Signs of ID Theft
* Incorrect grammar and spelling errors
* Phone or fax number area codes don't match the address given
* Unrealistic salary
New Twists on Identity Theft
Recently, an FTC investigation into a work-at-home scheme spawned an incredible "scam-within-a-scam" when a man pretending to be an FTC employee emailed hundreds of the scam's victims. He requested personal information stating that it was to be used as evidence in the case.
How To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
* If a would-be employer asks you for any personal information you should ask them for their contact information and then separately look up the company's information and contact them to verify that they actually exist. While it's not unusual for an employer to ask for certain work-related information (like your work history and former employers), it is not appropriate for them to ask for personal information (like a social security number) unless you are actually being hired (and you've checked them out to make sure they're legitimate). Even then, you should never be asked for financial information such as a credit card number.
* On online resumes, never include your social security number and keep even your work history brief.
* Check your credit card statements often. Believe it or not, many people never even check them!
* Be sure to follow up with creditors if your bill doesn't arrive on time. A missing credit card bill may mean that an identity thief has changed your billing address to cover their tracks.
* Order your credit report from one of the major credit bureaus each year and verify that everything is correct.
What to do if you've been a victim of identity theft
The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). You can use their online system to file a complaint.
Identity Theft Video
Helpful Sites on Identity Theft
Learn how to avoid ID theft before it happens to you
- http://www.ftc.gov
- http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Identity Theft
- Schneier on Security: Social Networking Identity Theft Scams
- April 8, 2009. Social Networking Identity Theft Scams. Clever: I'm going to tell you exactly how som...
- Protect Your Online Accounts from Phishing Scams | The Accounting Site
- Phishing involves the sending of an e-mail falsely claiming to be from an established legitimate ent...
- FraudFocus: UPDATE: New E-Scams & Warnings
- If someone is asking you as a consumer to break or avoid the rules of the website, it is possible th...
- Stingy News Article Link: "You've got blackmail"
- "The most shocking thing is not that there are corporate raiders in Russia who attempt to steal your...
Del.icio.us Identity Theft Sites
Great identity theft resources
2Work-At-Home.com
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What are your thoughts on Identity Theft?
rydigga wrote...
Sharon,
Great lens with excellent advice. Identify theft is a growing issue with the popularity of the internet. Thanks for sharing your insight :)
Ryan
Beco wrote...
Solid lens. It's good to know the warning signs and things that should get our attention before filling anything online and off. You may also want to check out my lens about Identity Theft Protection
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