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While identity theft is nothing new, the Web opens up whole new world of opportunities for identity thieves.
According to the FBI, identity theft is the top online fraud. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is the number one source of consumer complaints - 42 percent of all complaints in 2001.
The thief will use your personal information to credit card accounts, phone bills, open bank accounts in your name and write Bad checks from the victim with the bills and ruined credit. Identity thieves may, as representatives of banks, Internet service providers and authorities to request your Social Security number, mother's maiden name, financial account numbers and identifying information.Jim spent the day cancel his credit cards, checking balances and its contact with the credit bureaus, but he is concerned that his information is now "out there".
There are signs that can tip you to fraudulent job offers. While these points do not necessarily mean that the list is a fraudster, they are indications that you should do further review.
- Incorrect grammar and spelling mistakes
- Telephone or fax number with area code is not the address
- Unrealistic salary
Online databases are not the only places that identity thieves cruise for personal information. In recent indictments in the U.S., people have been with the collection and use of personal information through various channels. In Miami, two people were indicted for illegally tapping the computer networks of restaurants with a dummy of the Corporation. A clerical worker at the New York State Insurance Fund pilfered office files and used stolen identities (of people in this country as well as fellow office workers) to obtain goods and services. A phlebotomist at Kaiser Permanente authorization to use the personal data of patients and staff in order to open credit card accounts in different names.
Recently an investigation of the FTC in a work-at-home scheme was an incredible "scam-within-a-fraud" when a man pretending to FTC employee emailed hundreds of victims of fraud. He claimed that personal information was for use as evidence in the case.
While it is impossible to totally eliminate the chances of becoming a victim, you can minimize the risk by the following steps to practice:
- When a would-be employer asks you for all the personal information you should ask them for their contact information and then separately look up company information and contact with them to ensure that they actually exist. Although it is not unusual for an employer to ask for certain employment information (such as your work and the history of previous employer), it is not appropriate for them to ask for personal information (such as a Social Security number), unless you are actually set (and you have checked to ensure that they legitimate). Even then, you should never asked for financial information, such as a credit card number.
- About the online applications, never, your social security number and keep even your work history brief.
- Check your credit card information frequently. Believe it or not, many people do not even check!
- Make sure to follow up with creditors if your bill does not arrive on time. A missing credit card bill may mean that an identity thief has your billing address to their tracks.
- Order your credit report from one of the major credit bureaus each year and check that everything is correct.
According to the FBI, identity theft is the top online fraud. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is the number one source of consumer complaints - 42 percent of all complaints in 2001.
The thief will use your personal information to credit card accounts, phone bills, open bank accounts in your name and write Bad checks from the victim with the bills and ruined credit. Identity thieves may, as representatives of banks, Internet service providers and authorities to request your Social Security number, mother's maiden name, financial account numbers and identifying information.Jim spent the day cancel his credit cards, checking balances and its contact with the credit bureaus, but he is concerned that his information is now "out there".
There are signs that can tip you to fraudulent job offers. While these points do not necessarily mean that the list is a fraudster, they are indications that you should do further review.
- Incorrect grammar and spelling mistakes
- Telephone or fax number with area code is not the address
- Unrealistic salary
Online databases are not the only places that identity thieves cruise for personal information. In recent indictments in the U.S., people have been with the collection and use of personal information through various channels. In Miami, two people were indicted for illegally tapping the computer networks of restaurants with a dummy of the Corporation. A clerical worker at the New York State Insurance Fund pilfered office files and used stolen identities (of people in this country as well as fellow office workers) to obtain goods and services. A phlebotomist at Kaiser Permanente authorization to use the personal data of patients and staff in order to open credit card accounts in different names.
Recently an investigation of the FTC in a work-at-home scheme was an incredible "scam-within-a-fraud" when a man pretending to FTC employee emailed hundreds of victims of fraud. He claimed that personal information was for use as evidence in the case.
While it is impossible to totally eliminate the chances of becoming a victim, you can minimize the risk by the following steps to practice:
- When a would-be employer asks you for all the personal information you should ask them for their contact information and then separately look up company information and contact with them to ensure that they actually exist. Although it is not unusual for an employer to ask for certain employment information (such as your work and the history of previous employer), it is not appropriate for them to ask for personal information (such as a Social Security number), unless you are actually set (and you have checked to ensure that they legitimate). Even then, you should never asked for financial information, such as a credit card number.
- About the online applications, never, your social security number and keep even your work history brief.
- Check your credit card information frequently. Believe it or not, many people do not even check!
- Make sure to follow up with creditors if your bill does not arrive on time. A missing credit card bill may mean that an identity thief has your billing address to their tracks.
- Order your credit report from one of the major credit bureaus each year and check that everything is correct.
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