What You Need To Know About Computer Identity Theft

Identity theft that takes place over the computer is a growing problem. This is because so many people now use the internet to make purchases. It is a place where scam artists prey on victims to steal their information. The process generally begins with an e-mail being sent to the consumer. The e-mails look like they are sent from a business you are familiar with such as the IRS, eBay, or a credit card provider.

The e-mail claims you need to provide them with information or that you are being audited. They also say there is an issue with your credit card. They will ask for personal information to verify what they have or to resolve the issue.

As soon as the consumer replies to the e-mail the sender can start using their identity for their own gain. The information you provide allows them to be able to purchase items and open other types of accounts in your name. You will find the process for clearing your name to be very difficult. Becoming a victim of identity theft can ruin you financially.

How are they able to do it?

The e-mails these scam artists send do look very legitimate and that can lead to people providing the information requested. They often contain links that take the person to a site that is very well designed to look like a legitimate site. The context of the e-mail also gives the impression that if immediate answers aren’t provided they will have trouble with their account. Many people don’t want to deal with that type of situation. Protect yourself against computer identity theft.

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

If you have a personal computer it needs to be installed with anti spy software as an added source of protection. If you don’t have such spyware in place then don’t do any financial transactions online because your information is not secure. Never respond to such e-mails asking for person information. If you think it may be from a legitimate business then contact them directly.

Make sure you only work with secure sites on the internet. You never want to provide your social security number or your address. Keeping this information private will assist you with keeping your information save and prevent you from being a victim of computer identity theft.

One way you can protect your identity is  -

In The News...

dBusinessNews.com - ... and confidence in individual identities provided by L-1 Identity Solutions, government entities, law enforcement and border management agencies, and commercial enterprises can better guard the public against global terrorism, crime and identity theft ...

TMCnet - As credit card fraud has become one of the most common forms of identity theft today, there's no wonder a number of consumers are demanding enhanced security and increased paying options. In the restaurant business, where credit cards are regularly ...

US News and World Report - As chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, Deborah Platt Majoras is charged with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, and illegal business practices. Since her appointment in 2004, she has focused on identity-theft prevention through ...

South Coast Today - GREENBELT, Md. — A Massachusetts woman dubbed the "Wig Lady" because she donned disguises while swindling bank customers pleaded guilty Thursday to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in U.S. District Court. Carol Silva, 55, of Westbury, Mass ...

Patriot Ledger - District Court in Boston charged Johnson with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. It specified that the offenses occurred in Plymouth County and elsewhere in the state. Some of the counterfeit checks were cashed in Stop & Shop supermarkets ...