http://scamalertusa.blogspot.com/

Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and
ruin your good name.
Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information.
Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you
know who you are dealing with.
Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails;
instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls,
anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect
your home computer; keep them up-to-date.
Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date,
your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits
of your Social Security number.
Keep your personal information in a secure place
at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.
Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect it.
Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports, and review the reports carefully. The alert tells creditors
to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain.
Close accounts. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.
Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies
of supporting documents.
Use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement.

Ask for verification that the disputed account has
been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.
Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.
File a police report. File a report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof
of the crime.
Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across
the country in their investigations.
Online: ftc.gov/idtheft
By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338)
or TTY, 1-866-653-4261
By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse,
Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580
Federal Trade Commission | 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20580 |

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“Sounds more like a bank robbery.”

More comedy clips at http://texturbation.com

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American Family Insurance Identity Theft Consumer Information Series – How fast can you lose your identity? In part one of our three-part video series on identity theft, see just how fast and easy it is for someone to steal your identity.

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I’ve seen some mentions on other question about phishing scams but don’t really know what that means. Is it like the e-mail scam where if you give some deposed african prince your bank account number so they can hide funds and you get to keep a million when all is said and done — only to have your account wiped out?

It’s a group or company trying to get information they can use to rip you off they couldn’t normally get. If they ask for your credit card information, social security, sensitive internet accounts with passwords. That’s phishing.

However, if it’s a job site that asks for your name, address and phone number — that’s NOT a phishing scam. That’s information available in most phone books or city halls and not sensitive. There’s nothing about your name or address that can be used to rip you off.

I think it’s an important distinction to make.

What is the best way to do this? I had an identity theft attempt in April of this year.. had to close all my accounts and re-open new ones.. and then bought an identity theft protection software.. now another attempt was made again.. so how am I supposed to protect myself better? Hide all of my cash under the mattress? Any advice would be great. Thanks.

First of all when using the internet NEVER check the box that says remember my password or keep me signed in for 2 weeks unless I sign out, this gives hackers an easier way to find your password.

Don’t throw out anything with your name on it if it is not shredded up first. I personally always burn everything of this nature.

I have look across google and other sources, however, I cannot find information on the characteristics of cyber identity theft. All I find is cyber terrorism which is different from identity theft. Can someone help me find some creditable information on the characteristic of cyber identity theft please?

Identity theft on line occurs in various ways. Here are a few possibilities.

1) Going on line at a unencrypted wireless hotspot where others on the same network can see your transmissions

2) Logging into unknown networks that can be run by hackers who are there to steal your information. This could include open proxies or free wireless networks set up for this purpose. Many times a Identity thief will set up a wireless network with a name similar to the one you expect ot see. Like the name of the coffee shop you are at with a slightly different name. Most people won’t notice the difference and many will log into the hacker network instead of the actual one provided by the establishment.

3) Responding to spam emails that link to web sites that look like legitimate banking or credit card sites and providing your information. This is referred to as phishing. An example you get an official looking email from what looks like Pay-Pal saying you need to log into your account for some reason. You click on the link which takes to to a look alike of the actual pay-pal site. You enter your user name and password. It comes back and says you entered your password wrong. It then redirects you to the real Pay-Pal login page and you log in thinking nothing about it. However the hacker has your login information and then goes in and drains your account or buys all kinds of stuff in your name.

I have fraud charges on my chase cards, and i believe my sister is the reason behind them. Shes only 16, so i dont wanna press charges, and im HOPING that the credit card company wont really investigat it like that.

But how long will it take to investigate it, and do you really think they will pull the atm picture to see if its her. It was only 600$$

thanks alot

It does not matter if it was $6 or as you say "only $600", fraud is fraud.

If you report it to Chase, companies are pretty quick about investigating it. If it was an ATM, it is a matter of a phone call to the bank where the ATM is located. Because everything is digital and stored on computers, they will probably have the picture in about a day.

If they do find out it was your sister you have two choices. To tell them that your sister did not have authorization. At that time they will probably not make you pay for the charges, but they will prosecute your sister. If you do not want to do that then you will have to pay for the charges.

According to FTC discoveries just about 10,000,000 folks in the US had been victims of ID theft in some form or the other. Small wonder ID theft is among the fastest-growing crimes in the US coast to coast today as technology has crossed barriers to make fiscal transactions completely paper free and even fax less. So that the need of services to deal with this growing menace has grown. I. D. theft is like no other standard burglary but is actually capable of implicating the poor victim in crimes he hadn’t committed. If a fraudster is capable of presuming your identity after getting away with your private info like social security, Visa card and checking account number without your understanding until credit companies knock at your door, you must do something. Your initial step would be look for services that may send warning signals for possible burglary of your identity.

Credit monitoring agencies like Inform Express sends out alerts fast and in time to customers as fast as they uncover early traces of I. D. theft or any fake activity. Before a scoundrel can mess up your credit history Tell Express will send out alerts when there are changes to your file. Their credit files are monitored at Equifax, TransUnion and Experian which lets you receive advance info before realtime damages are done to your financials as well as your reputation. All working day operations by Inform Express include monitoring your credit files for new official records, any address changes, opening of new accounts, any changes to your account info that they spot and investigations to your credit files. You can decide to receive alerts through mail, e-mail, phone or texts. E-mail alerts would include all of the changes a potential fraudster may be attempting to attempt while snail mail and telephone alerts would provide only selective info like address changes, investigations, new official records and any new accounts that might have been opened. I. D. theft insurance schemes like CreditProjectX3 payout at maximum of $20000 to I. D. theft victims for a $250 charge.

They cover costs like lost a month salary up to up to $500 per week for time taken off to clear their names or for wrongful imprisonment.

Certificated mailing, notary costs, solicitor costs, loan application costs and all long distance calls are remunerated. All of the 3 credit reporting agencies offer a detailed report of your credit score to help confirm each of their discoveries. Primarily based on an internet compilation from Equifax, TransUnion and Experian, your credit rating is open for analysis by agencies extending credit as well as by you to understand where you are rated against the nation’s average and whether you want to boost your scores. New protection services have also come up outside of the offices like Debix, LifeLock and IdentityTruth

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Criminal Hackers Using Social Media to commit Identity Theft. See IDAnalytics at https://www.myidscore.com/ and Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert at , www.IDTheftSecurity.com

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In an age when your credit score determines not only the interest rate you get on loans, but everything from insurance premiums to apartment rentals to jobs, identity theft can be financially devastating. Learn how to minimize your chances of having your identity stolen, and what to do if it is.

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