IdentiProof.com
Identity Protection Information
Identity theft scams
Identity theft scams are big business these days. Trying to find personal information in any way possible to access another person’s money and property has become much easier with the advent of the Internet. These days, however, there is much more awareness and security software available to combat this type of theft. But, unfortunately, like other software is invented, most viruses are created to attack and disable even the toughest of the programs.
Protect credit card numbers and bank information over the Internet can be helped by following a few simple rules. Only shop on sites that are familiar. Many people can illegally obtain personal information from credit card transactions for purchases made in a protected site. Identity theft scams occur when a person steals another credit card number, social security number, and any other information that is not theirs.
In addition, you should never send a Social Security number online. Be sure to print the confirmation number after your order. If the office received monthly bill is different, the company warns the purchase was made from as well as the credit card company. Making a mistake or theft early may help avoid costly identity theft scams.
Identity theft scams can also be done by phone. Never answer personal questions about bank accounts, credit card accounts or other information by phone. Legitimate credit cars companies never ask for account numbers over the phone. Hang up the phone and if the person has given a company name, call the Better Business Bureau and the ratio of the company.
Although identity theft scams are difficult to prove, the submission of a complaint can help. The theft of this type is particularly dangerous for older people who volunteer to answer questions on the phone out of habit or politeness.
Identity theft can strike anyone at any time during their life. It ‘important to understand the risks of buying things on the internet and answering questions on the phone who can give another person a chance to steal the money before falling into the trap of an identity theft scam.
Records of the victim of identity theft
Identity theft crimes are not new, but have become more pervasive over the past ten years. In mid 2005, San Francisco Chronicle discovered that holders of more than 40 million credit cards were vulnerable to financial fraud because identity thieves had compromised their credit card. Earlier that year, the information and data broker, Reed Elsevier Group PLC, revealed that hundreds of thousands of people could have their profiles stolen from one of its databases in the United States.
Compromised information included names, age, physical description, addresses, Social Security and driver’s license number. This is virtually everything an impersonator needs to create a clone of the identity theft victim, enabling him to make a number of financial operations and personnel in the name of the victim. Usually the victim of identity theft is usually under age forty, while about 11 percent of victims are sixty or older. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), one in six identity theft victims said that thieves used their personal information to open at least one new account, such as credit card accounts or loan accounts, accumulate debts on existing accounts. The most recent data indicate that 9.3 million Americans (or 4.25% of all adults) are victims of identity theft each year.
A victim of identity theft threatens the destruction of his good credit history, and it can take years and vast sums of money restoring the credit history and goodwill. There are instances of a victim of identity theft have been denied jobs or insurance or been detained for crimes he did not commit! Some victims of ID theft found that their names were used after the police stopped them for traffic violations and found that there is a warrant for their arrest. There are also times when an innocent person receives a summons to appear in court to answer a criminal act. FTC’s latest survey shows ID theft losses to businesses and financial institutions will total 52.6 billion U.S. dollars a year. Recently, Federal Trade Commission has launched a website annualcreditreport.com where all consumers can receive a free copy of their credit reports.