Caught in the Act of Identity Theft

Credit Card Fraud, Identity Theft and Phishing Scams

There are several ways to protect your identity from theft. Here are some suggested steps:

Never carry your Social Security card or number with you, unless it is necessary. (You may want to carry it if you are applying for a job or filing your taxes.)

Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you’ve initiated the contact or are sure you know who you’re dealing with.

Tear up or shred any documents with personal information before throwing them away. Also, remove labels from prescription bottles that contain personal information before throwing them away.

Protect your PINs (personal identification numbers). Don’t write them down where they might be found by someone else. If a company asks for one, see if you can use other identification instead.

If a company asks for credit card information or financial information over the Internet and does not have an encrypted website, do not submit the information. Look for a lock at the bottom of your web browser. The padlock icon indicates that the site is secure and allows encrypted transactions. If it is locked, double-click on it to see who issued the security certificate and what

Caught in the Act!

It’s not uncommon to hear a story about a credit card being stolen, or an identity being taken. It’s also not uncommon for it to be your own personal story! Here are some tips to help you better protect yourself from credit card fraud, identity theft and phishing scams.

Passwords – Make sure you’re using strong passwords with a combination of letters and numbers. Be sure to change them regularly and try not to reuse passwords across multiple sites.

URN – Unique Reference Numbers are provided by many banks and credit card companies as a way for you to identify legitimate communications from these companies versus those that are fraudulent. These URNs are typically found on the back of your credit card in the signature panel or on any communication you receive as an email or letter directly from your bank or credit card company.

Phishing Emails – These emails attempt to direct you to websites that appear legitimate but are counterfeits designed to steal your information. Never click on links contained in emails asking you to “update” any personal information because they can direct you right into a phishing scam. Instead, call the company directly if there is ever a question about the authenticity of an email.

Change Your PINs – Change your PINs regularly and don’t

Criminals may get your credit card information, your Social Security number, your bank account information, or your computer password. They use this personal information to commit fraud.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the nation’s consumer protection agency. The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace.

The FTC offers some simple tips for protecting yourself from identity theft:

* Know who you share information with. Remember that when you share personal information, you have no control over what happens to it next.

* Store and dispose of your personal information securely, especially if you have roommates or close family members who are not on the account. Keep paper records of your accounts and passwords in a safe place at home, and shred unwanted documents before you throw them away. Also remember to ask about privacy policies whenever you’re asked for personal information.

* Ask questions. Find out how a company plans to use your personal information — whether to provide a product or service you’ve requested or for marketing purposes. And find out how it will protect your personal information from unauthorized access or use.

* Use security software with firewall and anti-virus protections, and update these programs regularly.

* Secure your computer or mobile device by using

Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud is a serious crime. Identity theft is a serious crime. But what can you do to protect yourself?

Be aware of the risks. You should be concerned about any credit card offer that requires your Social Security number or other personal information. You should not have to pay for any credit card service or solicitors fee in advance with cash, money order, or wire transfer. If someone asks for this type of payment, it may be a scam.

Don’t give out your personal information unless you are certain of who you are dealing with and why they need this information. Ask questions before you give out your information to anyone over the phone, mail, online, etc. Be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau first if you have not heard of the company and are suspicious about the offer or request.

Never use an ATM machine that does not look secure or looks like it has been tampered with in any way. If you think it’s been tampered with or doesn’t look secure then go somewhere else! Never write down your PIN

Credit card fraud is a wide-ranging term for theft and fraud committed using or involving a payment card, such as a credit card or debit card, as a fraudulent source of funds in a transaction. The purpose may be to obtain goods without paying, or to obtain unauthorized funds from an account. Credit card fraud is also an adjunct to identity theft. According to the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC), while identity theft had been holding steady for the last few years, it saw a 21 percent increase in 2008. However, credit card fraud, that crime which most people associate with ID theft, decreased as a percentage of all ID theft complaints for the fifth straight year.

Credit card fraud is becoming more of a problem as chip based credit cards are still new and security features are not yet common on all cards and point of sale machines.

When a credit card is lost or stolen, the owner notifies the issuer, who cancels the old account and issues a new card with new account details. Most issuers have free 24-hour telephone numbers to facilitate quick reporting of lost or stolen cards; some also operate these numbers as toll-free numbers. Some banks may reimburse costs incurred from unauthorized use if reported promptly; however, this is not an industry standard practice.

Identity thieves are lurking everywhere, ready to pounce when you least expect it. They can be found in the most unlikely places, including your garbage can and even your mailbox! And they’re always looking for ways to steal your personal information.

Identity theft has become a major problem in recent years, as new technology has made it easier for thieves to steal and sell personal information. The Internet is especially vulnerable because so many people use credit cards over the Internet and send sensitive information over email that is not encrypted.

Identity theft occurs when someone takes your personal information (such as your name, Social Security number or credit card number) and uses it without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity thieves may use your identity to obtain goods, services or money using your name. They could rent an apartment using your name, open a bank account or obtain credit cards in your name and leave you with the bills. Or worse, they could take out loans in your name causing you to have a bad credit rating or even get arrested for crimes committed by the thief.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America today, affecting more than 9 million Americans each year. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that identity theft costs consumers at least $5 billion a year.

When you apply for a credit card, the bank will probably run a credit check. So will the landlord when you try to rent an apartment. And when you go to the hospital, they may check your insurance status.

If you’re caught doing something wrong, you might end up in jail. But just as often, there seems to be no reason at all. The most important thing is to make sure that if someone is using your identity fraudulently, it’s not going to cause a problem for you down the road.

Identity theft can take years before it’s fully discovered. If you’re caught in the act, there’s nothing wrong with admitting what happened and apologizing. However, if someone finds out later on that you weren’t actually authorized to use their identity, then that’s a different story.

Identity theft can have serious consequences for victims–especially if they weren’t aware of it until after the fact. It can lead to criminal charges and even prison time!

The following are some steps that can help prevent identity theft from occurring:

1) Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft

2) Protecting Your Family from Identity Theft

3) How To Report Identity Theft & Fraud

4) What Are The Consequences of Identity Theft