Identity theft is America's fastest-growing type of robbery. There are about 9.9 million victims in America and has involved more than 40% of all consumer complaints of identity theft in the United States. About half the victims did not know how the thief obtained their personal information. The Boston Globe and Newsweek have both identity theft in recently, tell us how important it is that we educate ourselves on preventing and protecting ourselves from this type of theft.Identity theft can happen anytime, anywhere and for anyone, individuals or companies. Everyone must be educated and aware of this can be avoided. Michael Blanchard, U.S. Postal Inspector says postal money orders and business or certified checks are one way you can be in danger. Most identity theft involves the U.S. Mail, which is why the U.S. Postal Inspection Service the lead agency in the investigation of identity theft. Identity theft is a crime.
Some forms of Internet fraud do isenter a chat room and chat with the locals, someone approaches you as a friend, or through an auction. You will be with these people you are chatting with and begin a friendship "comfortable". The person who made friends, you can say things like: "I'm in Peace Corps, and make money so that I can not in cash, where I am, Nigeria, Lagos or have. You could ask them if they send you the money if money and send the money. This isfraud. The money order you receive is fraudulent, whether in cash, and send the money you made money when the bank was money, so it is nice.
Another scenario might be, if you sell items on online auctions. Someone you can about your article via e-mail that is for sale. They will tell you, they want to buy your item, and are in Nigeria so that they pay extra money for a shipper to send to send the item. They will send you a referral or counterfeitto check and ask the control and wire the money to give them money so they can pay the shipper for shipping the item. You can also ask, go to a bank for the money in cash rather than by mail. The reason is that the camera store that say if the money can be a fake, and have had much experience with payment instructions when the banks.
Many of these types of scams originate in Nigeria, London and Toronto. If you know, you can avoid thisis done for you. Most thieves still obtain personal information about traditional and electronic channels. Line in cases where the method was known, 68.2% of the information received was off compared to only 11.6% obtained online.
If you receive a fraudulent transfer, and take to a bank, rather than the post office, a bank can be a month or more, before you know that the fake money order. When this happens, then you are responsible for the fund. If you'recaught in this situation, take your money for the post of a bank, does not guarantee you will not be won ", but lowers your chances.
As you can tell whether a fraudulent transfer? Fake money orders, not a watermark. Keep the money for the window or light, you can save the image on the left side? This portrait must be seen by light and backlight can not be imitated. Some manufacturers of counterfeit money orders are trying to falseWatermark images, you will be able to say, if you keep the light. These payment instructions are usually printed in Nigeria, using the same offset printing orders we use real money version, so check his billing statement! You can also font size, color and font. Another step along the way is to call or go online to the post office and give them the serial number out of the money, you can tell if it is real. If you received a fake wire transfer, you want tofor the post office or the police. Possession of counterfeit items is a crime.
Other scams have received an e-mail or letter that you have won a lottery prize or a notification. Some of the letters or messages arrive with a fake check and pay a fee to receive the award. These checks are fraudulent, and not send money to anyone who requested the money from you to give money, if you dress like a prize or lottery. Each award that requiresAnd 'nothing to pay, no gain.
How do these people my name? If you have a credit card, your name will be sold to third parties where we do not want that to happen, you should contact your credit card company to tell them that you want to send the information sold. Check the privacy policy, which comes with the bill. If you participate in contests, the information published. Even if you buy a new product, and then fill out the warranty card to sell the company, the information youFunctions for other companies. Since a toaster manufacturer need to know that renews annual family income, a warranty on your toaster? Thieves use dumpster digging, phishing and pharming to obtain the information. The things that belong to steal from your basket:
• Pre-approved credit card offers - have filled in and sent the card to a different address
• applications for loans, to complete the application and the money to awrong address.
• bank statements, then have your account number and can print counterfeit checks
Becky Palmer, a Consumer Credit Counselor, knew someone who had stolen her wallet and buy them used the credit card of a $ 5000.00 gift card to Wal-Mart, which will be very difficult to pursue.
People most at risk are the elderly, the disabled and immigrants, but remember that everyone, even children are at risk. The elderly areat home all day, you might get a call from a fake charity asking for money. Immigrants are desperate for credit, which may have arrived in the United States and know that they need credit to do something and not be aware of these scams. People with disabilities are at home, and may be a victim of telephone or online fraud. There were also cases of providers of care at home by taking advantage of their customers. Remember, it is not always a stranger that someone could steal your identity. Did you knowChildren are victims of identity theft? This may or ruin their credit before they ever be able to build credit for yourself. There have been cases of parents with the name of a child for their electricity bill or telephone bill were, if they have bad credit or debit the money for the utility company. Thieves obtain the social security number of these children, then use this number to obtain credit cards and rack up purchases.
Some of these scammers call you and say they are from afictitious charity. Offer your contribution will be debited automatically from your bank account and will be for the number of the bank, ask for the name of the bank and account number. DO NOT GIVE this information! If you receive a phone call from a salesperson, ask yourself the following questions, and if they have a scam, which will hang in a hurry.
• Who do you work? They will try to give the name of false love here asking: "Who pays yourReward? "
• How much of my donation (percentage) goes to this love and what is used in the rest of the money? "If you really, you can easily enter this information.
• What is the love of the name, address and phone number?
After the above information, you can check with the office of the Prosecutor General or the Secretary of State if the charity is registered. Also check out the love of the evaluation by the bestBusiness Bureau in http://www.give.org.
How do I prevent identity theft from happening to me? Never leave your receipt or slip in the ATM or gas station. Watch your habits, lock or file and organize your bills and bank statements. Shred with a cross shredder before throwing away.
He demonstrated in a recent article in MSN Money their research that 32% of respondents said they were victims of identity theft from a friend or family member, and 13% were victims of aEmployees. Regard! They know your patterns and habits.
Some steps can be taken to avoid are a victim of identity theft:
Obtain a copy of your credit report from all three credit bureaus. (Free on 9/1/05!)
Experien, PO Box 2002, Allen TX 75,013 http://www.experian.com 888-397-3742
Equifax, PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30,348 http://www.equifax.com 800-685-1111
TransUnion, PO Box 4000, Chester, PA 866-887-2673 http://www.transunion.com 19016th
Optmailing list by contacting the credit bureaus before.
Opt-out from reading the privacy that comes with your card and follow the instructions.
Call the National Do Not Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222 or visit http://www.donotcall. Governor careful to have the number you wish to register, call
Enter your Social Security card in your wallet
Do not print your Social Security number on your checks
Do not let your social security numberprinted on your driver's license
Bring with you your card MediCAD MediCAD # 's are your Social Security number
Delete all emails from Nigeria, or lottery or prize notifications before opening
Stop credit card offers 888-5-OPT-OUT
Remove your name from our mailing list from national http://www.the-dma.org or write to:
Mail Preference Service
PO Box 643
Caramel, NY 10512th
Installing firewalls and antivirus software on yourComputer
Protect your computer and personal files
Format physically destroy the hard disk or to dispose of your old computer
If you are to get new checks for your first first printed on it instead of your name
Using a cross shredder securely deletes your bills and bank statements, or junk mail
Bring your mail to the safe place or e-mail box, rather than in a rural area.
Use only with a particular credit card onlinePurchases
Be sure that all online purchases are made through a secure server - note the lock "icon", and how to change the URL from HTTP to HTTPS. The S stands for Secure.
Enter your PIN # in your wallet
Do not use your date of birth as a password or PIN.
Never give personal or financial information by phone.
Grind or shred CD backup six steps.
Check your bank account on-line at least 3 times a week andChange your password frequently.
There is a new law, the essence is that a law is very weak, but if on, it prohibits, with a Social Security number for identification purposes. This law should enter into force in 2006.
If you have the feeling that there is a victim of identity fraud, contact the Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Division. They offer mediation with identity theft, but also have a hotline for consumers that is available 8-5 Monday - Friday. They cultivateThe database of written complaints that goes back to 1998. They offer workshops for schools, seniors or your group.
Note that 40 million credit card numbers obtained by fraudsters last year, "be wary of you." Also be aware that most identity theft is not reported, especially when it comes to family members, so the statistics. These statistics show that consumers 5 billion U.S. dollars last year has decreased, while in reality it is closer to 50 billion dollars. It is estimated that there were 9.9Millions of victims in America.
What can I do if I am already a victim of identity theft I?
• contact the fraud departments of the three credit bureaus for a fraud alert on credit files.
• Close the accounts that have been affected and request copies of fraud litigation, and to complete and return immediately. Keep copies!
• Jobs has taken place an ad in any jurisdiction of theft
• Send copies of the report to creditors, or someonerequires that the evidence of crime
• To file a complaint with the FTC (800-IDTHEFT or [http://www.consumer. Gov / idtheft]) and post
• Contact the Identity Theft Resource Center at 858-693-7935 or http://www.idtheftcenter.org
• Request for a new license from the state motor vehicles and have a report of fraud can be connected to the driving record.
• Notify check-verification firms about the possibility of fraudulent checks:
Internationalcontrol service 800-526-5380
Telecheck 800-927-0755
Certegy Check Services 800-437-5120
• Call 1-888-CALL-FCC and a complaint.
• Change your passwords and PIN immediately.
What is phishing?
If you receive an e-mail or letter or form, as it came from your bank, credit card companies, the IRS, online auction, or a bill pay service asks you to verify the information so they can update their records, you can check this with your bank or credit card looks likeCard Company. Never click on links in an e-mail, will be on a fraudulent website, which is disguised to look like the company. If you check and your bank or credit card companies would like to recall this information, give them the phone if you initiated the call and are sure that the correct number, or delivery, if possible.
You can identify warning signs "fraud Look"
If someone says, "Poor or no credit risk - NoTrouble! "
Gives you a loan "deal"
She hurries through the registration process for all
We want a commission
If a seller comes to your house and says, "I was in the neighborhood"
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is!