The Trend of Identity Theft and Fraud

There are various agencies out there dedicated to helping to identity theft and fraud in relation to identity theft. They offer many programs for those who have been affected. You can file a complaint with them as well as get valuable information to help prevent it from happening. They can also help you try to piece your life back together after the fact. The Social Security office provides informative fact sheets relating to identity theft. They also can help you if you lose your social security card or it is stolen.

The internet can lead to identity theft because requests for personal information often look legitimate. Since many people use the internet to shop and for paying bills, criminals also prey on unsuspecting users. Identity theft and fraud happens more than any of us would like to think.

To prevent identity theft from happening, make sure you are very careful with your financial and personal information. This includes providing them online. You need to be careful when you click on links if you don’t know the source of them. You should install spam filters on your computer as well as anti spy software and anti virus protection.

What are the Types of Identity Theft and Fraud?

The National Fraud Information Center is a great resource to find out more about identity theft and fraud. You should also check into the various services offered by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. They provide information on eliminating your risk of being a victim of identity theft as well as what to do if you do become a victim.

There are two categories of identity theft – account takeovers and application fraud. Account takeovers involve someone accessing current accounts you have and either obtaining cash or making purchases. Application fraud involves someone using your personal information in order to apply for new credit. These accounts can be to make purchases or for credit cards. In most cases the victim doesn’t know what has happened until monthly bills start rolling in. Then it is already too late to stop it.

Criminals are still able to get away with identity theft and fraud because the regulations are often lax. It is important that you take all the necessary precautions to ensure that no one can access your personal information for your accounts. Always use secure passwords and PINS.

One way you can protect your identity is  -

In The News...

Ledger - KISSIMMEE - Good Samaritan Village has kicked off its inaugural series of education programs for seniors with a seminar on identity theft and fraud - two crimes that often target the elderly. "Older people are very trusting," Carlos Morales, guest ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...