Author Topic: How to defend yourself against identity theft  (Read 938 times)

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How to defend yourself against identity theft
« on: June 12, 2007, 01:46:12 PM »
What is Identity Theft

Identity theft is a crime whereby criminals impersonate individuals, usually for financial gain. In today's society, you often need to reveal personal bits of information about yourself, such as social security numbers, a signature, name, address, phone numbers, and even banking and credit card information. If a thief is able to access this personal information, he or she can use it to commit fraud in your name. With this information the thief could do things such as apply for loans or new credit card accounts. They can then request a billing address change and run up your existing credit card without you knowledge. They can also use counterfeit checks and debit cards, or authorize electronic transfers in your name, to wipe out your your bank account.

Identity theft can also go beyond this type of a monetary impact. Thieves can use your information to obtain a driver's license or other documentation that would display their photo but your name and information. With these documents thieves could to obtain a job and file fraudulent income tax returns, apply for travel documents, file insurance claims, or even provide your name and mailing address to police and other authorities if involved in other criminal activities.

Using Information on the Internet for Identity Theft

The outcome of identity theft is usually the same, regardless of how the thief obtains your information. However, the Internet is providing new ways for people to steal your personal information and to commit fraud. Thieves can accomplish their goal several ways such as using Internet chat rooms and spreading Trojan horses that drop key loggers on your computer to transit any passwords, usernames and credit card numbers you use on your computer back to the thieves. Many online businesses today also store personal information about customers and shopper son their Web sites, and that information used when a person returns to the Web site. This provides another way for your personal information to be accessed.

Additionally, e-mail phishing, thieves attempt to gather your personal information. Phishing e-mails falsely claim to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam you into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail will direct you to visit a Web site where you're asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers — information the legitimate organization already has. The Web site, however, is bogus and set up only to steal your information.

Is Internet Identity Theft Cause for Concern?

Internet-based identity fraud is a problem and is something that makes many people hesitant about making a purchase online, or signing up for what others consider everyday occurrences such as creating a PayPal account, purchasing from e-commerce sites, using auction Web sites or even using Internet banking and checking their credit card statements online.

While Internet identity theft is definitely a hot topic in the media today, Internet identity theft actually accounts for only a small percentage of the total identity theft fraud cases.

A recent survey by Javelin Strategy & Research of Pleasanton indicated that identity fraud, as a percentage of of the United States adult population went down to 4 percent between 2003 and 2006. In addition the report also claims that 90 percent of this identity theft takes place through traditional offline channels and not through the Internet.

Using Computer (Cyber) Forensics to Fight Identity Theft


Computer forensics (also called cyber forensics), is the application of scientifically proven methods to gather, process, interpret and use digital evidence to provide a conclusive description of cyber crime activities. Cyber forensics also includes the act of making digital data suitable for inclusion into a criminal investigation.  Once a thief has obtained data, computers are often used to create false identification, counterfeit checks, and other documents to commit fraud. Computer forensics plays a big role in helping law enforcement officials identify both the victims and perpetrators of identity theft.

How to Protect Yourself


The Federal Trade Commission is one of many organizations that provides valuable facts and information to consumers concerning identity theft, including preventative and resolutions to identity theft concerns. For consumers who believe they are a victim of identity theft, the FTC recommends you take immediate steps to protect yourself such as placing fraud alerts on your credit cards, filing police reports, and filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. It is also important to resolve specific fraudulent usage with organizations responsible for your bank accounts, credit cards, driver's license, investment funds, debt collectors and others.

Almost every worldwide government agency responsible for identity theft issues will tell you the same thing. The first step to fighting identity theft is to minimize the risk. To do this they urge consumers to protect their personal information. Start by asking companies how they use your information, and for online transaction, take a moment to review a Web site's privacy policy. In offline tranactions don't provide credit card numbers, financial account numbers, and personal identifying information over the phone unless you know the communication line is secure. Ideally, you should initiate the conversation. For Internet transactions, be sure the Web site offers secure data encryption and other services to protect your personal information.

Lastly, there are recommended everyday practices, such as keeping an eye on postal mail to ensure your bills are arriving when they should be, and taking the time to properly dispose of paper documents that may contain credit card numbers and other identifying personal information. The more private and secure you keep your personal identifying information, the less susceptible to identify theft you are. (webopedia.com)

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Re: How to defend yourself against identity theft
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2008, 04:29:47 AM »
Mike does Anti spyware can help?

im just to scared with these scammers...

hinuon ang nahibilin diri sa among pc kana nalang online banking namo ni Banana unya dili man sila maka penetrate sa banks kay naa may lain nga password nga wala namo gibutang diri sa PC...




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