Identity Theft, The Internet, and Your Identity
November 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment
What You Absolutely MUST Know to Prevent Identity Theft
Identity theft is a fast-growing and very serious crime. Identity theft is no longer a rare occurrence. Chances are, you probably know someone who has been a victim of identity theft…or you are a victim yourself. Identity theft is on the rise all around the world, mainly because it is getting so much easier to obtain peoples personal information thanks to the internet. There are many types of identity theft, but in any form, identity theft is a crime of opportunity, so you may be victimized simply because your personal information is available on the internet, regardless of whether YOU use the internet, or not.
Even though identity theft has become a very hot topic, it is not a new concept or crime. Identity thieves can victimize people who do not even own a computer or know much more than how to turn a computer on.
How Your Identity Is Stolen
Identity theft criminals can obtain your personal information in several different ways. Scrounging for your personal paperwork and discarded mail from trash cans and dumpsters (also called “dumpster diving”) is one of the easiest ways for an identity thief to get personal information on their next victim. Think about it…. what’s in YOUR trash can?
Then we have the internet. Identity thieves LOVE the internet! They can use it to easily gather all sorts of sensitive information about you. Even if YOU don’t use the internet, companies you deal with, your banks and credit card companies…your power company… all have your information in an online database.
Worse yet, the internet has made it not just easier for an identity thief to GET your informations, the web has also made it so much easier to USE your information they’ve stolen. How? Simple, most internet transactions can be made without any real verification of identity. If the criminal has your credit card number and expiration date… there will be a shopping spree in your name! Yes! Internet identity theft is THAT easy.
Thankfully, by learning how to manage your financial activities online, you can reduce some access to your personal information. With better identity theft prevention tips, you can reduce the chance of being an identity theft victim from information stolen from paper bills and statements, too. While these prevention steps help reduce your exposure, many identity theft victims will agree that these precautions are far from enough.
Identity Theft Victims - The Reality of Identity Theft
The experience of the thousands and thousands of identity theft victims carries two common traits - the frustration of being an identity theft victim, and the COST of trying to repair the damage. This frustrating experience often requires months - even years - of endless paperwork, explaining, and time to even try and repair. Not only that, but the damage inflicted on a victims reputation and the time spent trying to mend the trail of destruction cannot easily be regained or compensated for. In many cases, an identity theft victim’s losses may include not only substantial financial losses, but staggering costs associated with trying to restore their reputation in their community and correcting damaging information to their personal credit report for which the criminal is responsible.
If you suspect that you’ve become a victim of identity theft, act fast. The quicker you react, the more likely you are to minimize the damage to your personal information and financial records… and to your reputation.
Identity Theft is Real - It CAN Happen to YOU
Many consumers have a, “Oh, that won’t happen to ME” attitude. That is such a mistake. Or, perhaps, consumers think that it wouldn’t be “that big of a deal” if it DID happen to them. Again, a foolish thought pattern.
So, just how bad does identity theft get?
Let’s take this example - An identity theft criminal impersonates you online. This criminal steals money from your bank account, uses your credit cards to make purchases, uses your information to apply for credit and loans.
Couple thousand… couple HUNDRED thousand dollars in damage.
No big deal, right?
But wait, maybe the criminal has more serious intentions and uses your personal information to open fake businesses with intention of running criminal activity within these businesses.
Now you have a criminal record, arrest warrants….. no big deal, right?
Thing is,this is if the criminal is only focused on YOUR personal information.
Did you know that identity thieves gather MASS amounts of personal information from hundreds, thousands of people, at a time? They can then use all that personal information on a mass scale to apply for credit cards, loans, and bank accounts… all online.
Thing is, it is not even that hard to do. The overwhelming power of the internet and ever-improving software have made it so easy for drug addicts and criminals to research your identity online, obtain credit cards illegally in your name, open bank accounts, get loans, print perfect reproductions of checks, and endless other damaging activities.
Guess what? Identity Theft IS a big deal. It is very real and can happen to anyone.
Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
As you can see, the internet has made it much easier for an identity criminal to cause massive destruction to your life. Each and every day, more websites are popping up on the internet and many of them are not legitimate businesses. They solely exist to get your personal information, preferably your credit card number, so they can commit serious fraud and have a field day with YOUR credit card. The internet has also made it much easier for criminals to sell your information, making it more difficult for law enforcement and government officials to track.
Two Best Tools to Prevent Identity Theft
Identity theft can happen to anyone, regardless of whether or not you use the internet. Identity theft is not an unusual crime any more in today’s world. Actually, it has become common. Yes, identity theft is a felony; but your local police cannot help you with your credit record or do anything to undo the damage that has already been done.
Don’t want to be a victim of identity theft? No doubt! Who DOES?
Without exception, your two greatest deterrents to identity theft are a paper shredder and identity theft prevention insurance. These two very low-cost proactive tools can keep identity theft away from your home and family, and save YOU from a world of hassle and expense.
What Are the 5 Types of Identity Theft?
October 24, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Identity theft is quickly becoming the most prevalent white-collar crime in the United States. Sadly, there is much misconception as to what identity theft is. Most consumers believe that identity theft only involves and effects your credit report. This is not true. Identity theft takes many forms that make everyone a potential target for identity theft. Read more
Credit Card Identity Theft
October 4, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Credit Card Identity Theft- Credit Card Fraud is Just the Start of the Havoc that Follows
Credit card identity theft is an increasing crime both online and off. The statistics for this type of identity theft are staggering - and quite frightening.
Learning how credit card identity theft happens is the first step in learning how to protect yourself from this crime. Read more
Online Identity Theft
October 4, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Facts About Online Identity Theft - Protect Yourself from Cyber Identity Theft
The facts are that today we are a digital society.
More than 75% of homes in the United States have access to the internet through at least one computer.
The internet has provided consumers with such luxuries as online bill paying, financial accounts access, and endless opportunities for shopping. Fact is, being able to access so much information online on the internet has left open the door for online identity theft and it is vital to protect yourself at all times from potential online identity theft criminals. Read more
Identity Theft in Colleges
October 4, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Primary Targets for Identity Theft-Colleges Report Alarming Statistics
Identity theft in colleges accounts for more than 31% of all identity theft cases each year. College students are an all time high-risk for being the next identity theft victim. What can college students do to prevent being an identity theft victim?
When consumers randomly think about identity theft, most assume this crime only happens to the more affluent and mature community. Nothing is farther from the truth. A shocking identity theft statistic shows that those in the age range of 18-29 are the most prominent targets for identity theft. Read more
Prevent Identity Theft
October 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Preventing Identity Theft - Tips to prevent identity theft
Preventing identity theft requires a change in financial and daily habits. Protecting your personal information is the number one way to be proactive to try and keep your identity from being stolen. Remember, all an identity theft thief needs is a simple social security number to wreak havoc on your financial life and emotional well-being. Read more
