Identity theft scams
Below is a list of the different scams being used currently by identity thieves. Keep in mind that a criminal may have a mental illness, a personality disorder or any other number of problems. The point is, he or she could get careless; so be on the lookout no matter where you are. As you read about the different scams try to think about the different ways you can help detect and deflect identity theft. Perhaps by paying attention a little bit more, you will find more many ways to stay safe from identity theft.
Social security identity theft - Once someone has your social security number they can apply for loans or credit with the intention of never paying it back. The less you provide your social security number, the better off you are especially when dealing online. Remember, that phishing and other downloadable scams are done with the intent to steal your information. For information about identity theft and your social security number see the Social Security identity theft handout.
Criminal identity theft- criminal identity theft can happen anytime a person gives a counterfeit license to a police officer during a traffic or criminal stop. If you lose your license, report it to your local DMV, your bank and other account holders. This will provide a record in the event a criminal makes a fake ID in your name. Sadly, many identity theft victims do not hear about this type of fraud until they have a warrant issued for their arrest or are denied employment due to a failed background check so spread the word and tell others so they can too. To read more about this criminal identity theft, visit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
ATM fraud - ATM fraud can happen at your bank, the gas pump, a non-bank ATM or credit card machine. In this crime, criminals use what is known as an ATM skimmer which records not just your card number, but is also able to take video footage of you inputting your pin number while you are at the ATM. In the past, criminals have gone so far as buying and placing their own ATM machines in stores for the sole purpose of stealing your information. If you see anything suspicious, report it to the store manager and the police. Ultimately, when it comes to this type ATM fraud, nothing is too far fetched. For more information on this crime visit NBC's ATM Fraud page.
Mortgage identity theft - is when an identity thief impersonates someone with the goal of buying a home. If a criminal gets a hold of your personal information like the information from your California driver’s license such as your date of birth, drivers license number, they could very well use this information along with your social security number to buy a home, open up a home equity line of credit, or purchase any number of items in your name. One way to stay protected is to check your credit on a regular basis.The Federal Trade Commission urges consumers to use annualcreditreport.com This is a free site that will help you avoid other sites that are set up by scammers. Unfortunately, when it comes to mortgage identity theft, this type of crime is extremely lucrative, so be wary of who you do business with. For information on the latest mortgage fraud cases across the country, visit the FBI’s Financial Fraud page.
Credit card skimmers - credit card skimmers are card readers which copy your credit card’s confidential data. They are used in restaurants, stores, ATM’s, gas pumps or anywhere else accepting credit or debit cards.In Florida, police found credit card skimming devices hidden in the gas pumps at several gas stations in the central Florida area. According to the Florida police, criminals are using a universal key to get into almost any gas pump in the country. Ironically the group behind this theft ring in Florida has been linked to an Armenian group in California and Las Vegas. To read about this article visit Ocala StarBanner.
Email Viruses & Downloads - surfing the web comes with its share of risks. While many of us have virus protection, there are still many sneaky ways criminals continue to develop in order to hack into your computer or smartphone. Usually, this type of scam will use keyloggers in order to record your every stroke. The scariest part of this scam is that if you type in keylogger into your web browser so you can see a wide range of free downloads for this software. Keep in mind, a scammer is always near so you should always steer clear of identity theft .Visit Widestep’s Keylogger page for an example of this software so you can learn more about it and how the keylogger software does have its use if you want to keep an eye on your family’s online activity.
Telemarketing - for those with home phone landlines, you may be constantly berated by the phone's persistent ring. If you are being harassed by someone asking for your personal information, you can perform a call trace on your phone by entering the code*57 immediately after the call. This will trace the call but it only works in your local service area. You can also contact the FTC to have your name put on the Do Not Call Registry at 188-290-4236.
Shoulder surfers - shoulder surfers can be anywhere; so if you are using public Wi-Fi, and you speak out loud, that information is no longer constitutionally protected. Private information needs to stay private which is why your financial institution will only require you to verify your identity using only certain portions of your private information. If you use your Smartphone or computer in a public area, keep in mind that criminals may be watching your every move on their hacking software, so never use your passwords.
Security breaches - A security breach is when a large amount of data is the target. This is the data that could be stored at your insurance company, your local Walmart, Home Depot or any other store. In this scheme, cyber criminals will use hacking tools to breach the security of major corporations. Today, According to the BBC, Yahoo has begun to investigate a possible data breach. The simple fact is that we can never be too cautious or careless when it comes to protecting our identity. Who you provide your information to makes all the difference with what happens in your life. For information on how to protect yourself or your business from a data breach visit the Identity Theft Resource Center data breach page for help and free information.
Medical identity theft - this type of identity theft involves fraud done against Medicare, insurance companies, and hospitals. The FTC defines Medical Identity Theft when a thief uses another person’s health insurance card to obtain services. This crime may end up costing thousands if undetected, so be sure to keep your insurance and medical information private. If you do lose your insurance card be sure to report it right away. Staying safe from identity theft means that you should never give out your personal information over the phone, in an email, or through the mail. For more information on how to protect yourself from Medical Identity Theft, visit the FTC’s Medical Identity Theft page.
