Identity Theft Crisis

Safe Shopping Online Can Help Avoid Identity Theft!

Online Shopping offers great benefits for its users that are not available in a regular brick and mortar establishment. Along with these benefits of 24/7 shopping from any computer and countless e-only deals comes numerous risks. Identity theft is a real risk while shopping online that cannot be overlooked.

ID theft in the internet age has changed the ways that thieves steal your information. Nowadays it is much easier for criminals to get your important info that will compromise your identity. Over 70% of ID theft is committed on the internet. But how are these people getting important numbers like bank accounts and credit card numbers right off of your home computer? There are a few ways that scammers take advantage of the internet:

1. Computer Viruses harvest your information when you shop online!
2. Hackers get into accounts online and steal your accounts and numbers.
3. Fake sites ask for personal information from you and record it for later use.

The #1 way that scammers acquire information used to steal ID’s is through computer viruses. These computer viruses will run on your computer, unknowingly to you, and record your keystrokes when you are entering anything into a website. That means that they will record all of your account usernames, passwords, or important numbers will be recorded by a bot and then sent off through a ping on the internet for someone to either sell or use.

How do I know if I have a computer Virus installed on my PC?

There is only one way to know for sure, and that is to scan your computer with a top level anti-spyware/virus software. These types of programs are built to help you manage your pc security online proactively by running automatic scans and keeping an up to date database of threats to remove.

The best thing about a program like this is that you should never have to worry about a virus again once you have installed and set it up. Spyware Doctor is very highly rated amongst tech professionals. Here is a Spyware Doctor Review for some more info.

Tips for Safe Shopping online:

1. Install a good antispyware/virus program like Spyware Doctor and remove any viruses     or worms
2. Check for a padlock in your browser when you get to a screen that requires your             information
3. Use a credit card instead of a debit card for online shopping, they have better fraud protection
4. If a site doesn’t seem reputable, don’t buy anything. There are lots of places to shop on the internet, it is best to stick to the sites that you know are legitimate.

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“Behold, many will come in My name…”

Written by
+ FreeIdentityProtect.com
+ Beau & Liz Chevassus (Whitworth University)
+ Critical Data Inc. (Spokane)
+ Digital Lift Media (Spokane)

Director…

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What Is ID Theft? The Crime Defined…

There are many different definitions of the term ID theft that vary from different sources like dictionaries and Wikipedia. The FTC, or Federal Trade Commission, has a whole section of their site dedicated to the Identity Theft Crime. Here is a snippet off of their site:

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“Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.”

For more information visit the FTC site Here

The FTC has had to pay more and more attention to the matter of ID theft in the past few years due to the catastrophic rise in numbers of US citizens that have been affected by these crimes. The affects of these criminal actions have been hard to remove for many of the government agencies that monitor these actions. In some cases identity theft victims can be affected for years and have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to recapture their credit and good name.

70% of Identity theft in recent years has been committed online, due to the huge increase in the number of online shoppers and viruses. To learn how to shop online without worry of stolen credit card numbers please read our article:

Prevent ID theft by safely shopping online!

Some Scary Facts About Identity Theft

• The Federal Trade Commison has estimated that over 10 million people in America alone have have had some part of their identities stolen in the past year.
• Theives that attain the right information about you are able to open credit accounts, rent houses or apartments, buy cars, and run up telephone bills on your credit and default on all payments.
• Almost all people that do not have a third party service monitoring their credit will not know that their identity has been stolen until there is considerable debt to deal with.
• ID Theft Sucks To Deal With. Some people will be able to take care of problems quickely, but most have to go through months or years of rebuilding horrible credit records.
• Due to bad credit scores some victims can lose out on job opportunities, or have education, housing, or car loans rejected.
• Some people have been targeted before they are 18 and have horrible credit before they have a chance to ruin it themselves!

Clearly now is the time to be proactive about your Identity and the protection that it deserves. Only you can make sure that you are doing the right things to prevent yourself from becoming a victim. Recently a few companies have created a service that will actively monitor your credit for you to make the process automated for yourself, with many offering up to 1,000,000 dollars of insurance for losses that happened due to ID theft.

We have compiled a list of 4 of these companies that we believe to offer valuable and affordable services:

See the top 4 companies features and pricing side by side here.

For more information we recommend our other featured posts:

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Four Reasons to Use Privacy SoftwareUnless you are a spammer, hacker, terrorist, or other such criminal, you might not think you need privacy software. You might feel that deep cleaning your computer only hints that you have something to hide, and it could even make you feel guilty. There are, however, many reasons you need privacy software. Privacy software will help you regain system space, protect you from identity theft, guard your passwords and protect your right to privacy.Regain system space ? Cookies, ?deleted? files and folders, pop-up files, and hundreds of other useless-but-still-there items add up exponentially. As this pile of undeleted information grows, your computer slows down and, at its worst, crashes.Protect from ID theft ? Hackers can find massive amounts of personal information on your computer. Most deletions do not completely remove information from your computer. What you thought was deleted can be easily found by an experienced hacker. Emails or documents relaying sensitive information can fall into the wrong hands, opening you up to credit card, bank account, or identity theft.Protect passwords ? Web browsers often save passwords you have typed. Online criminals can find and use these passwords to enter your personal email, bank, or credit card accounts.Protect your Rights ? Despite what other people may want you to think, privacy is a basic human right. Everyone needs to have the ability to hold their own opinion, regardless of whether or not this opinion runs contrary to the government. By protecting your privacy with privacy software, you are protecting your right to free speech and opinion.Top 3 Internet Privacy Software Programs CyberScrubProtecting your privacy isn?t about staying out of trouble with the law, it?s about maintaining your privacy to protect yourself from people who wish to harm you.

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Identity theft, or simply ID theft, is the fastest growing crime in America. The reason is simple; it pays and often the criminals off with light sentences. This article offers ways to prevent identity theft.

You should also know that that there are different forms of identity theft. Some of these are as follows:

1. Full identity theft: someone steals your data and then goes on to live as you. He/she will pose or disguise his/herself as you, obtain an identification documents and then clean you out – that is bank account, credit lines etc.

2. Credit hijacking: The thief will simply use your name and good credit to open new credit lines and then go on spending sprees, of course, without paying the bills. You only realize when you either get denied credit, get a call from your bank or some other bank or creditor, or receive a bill you have no idea about.

3. Synthetic identity theft: This involves using bits and pieces of personal information from several victims to create a whole new identity. This is perhaps the most difficult form of ID theft to detect.

There are the obvious precautions anyone can take and often offered as preventive ways. These will probably stop a petty thief, but the modern ID thief is much more sophisticated.

These mundane identity theft prevention ways include advice such as “shred your documents”, “don’t carry your social security card in your wallet”, and “don’t throw documents in the trash” and the like. Good measures, but the sophisticated thief would laugh at these.

You can stop most ID thieves on their tracks by placing a fraud alert on your credit file with the three major credit bureaus. Unlike credit monitoring, which alerts you after the fact, with a fraud alert you get contacted before any new credit lines are opened.

A fraud alert is only good for three months. After three months, you have to renew it, which the bureaus are not enthusiastic to do as they make money by selling your information to third parties for marketing purposes (which they cannot do if you have a fraud alert on your file).

You should also invest in a good antivirus and spyware remover for your computer. Keystroke loggers can get downloaded into your system, without you realizing it. Keystroke loggers track everything typed into a computer and then report back to the scammer via the Internet.

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Are you thinking of subscribing to an Identity Theft Protection company? Given the growing crime rate of identity theft, it is definitely wise to take this particular action in protecting yourself from identity theft. Here?s what you should know before subscribing to an Identity Theft Protection company.

An Identity Theft Protection company usually offers the following services:

1. Tracking of credit report, police report and medical records. Whenever your credit card is used or whenever your social security number is included in an application form, your Identity Theft Protection company will notify you. If the transaction was unauthorized, the company would then make a trace to find out who tried to use your identity. The company will also track down any unknown addresses that are affiliated with your name and will also take a look at the DMV records in your state.

2. Alerts in case of any suspicious activity. Once detected, your account will be frozen and you will have to confirm if it is indeed unauthorized. If it is unauthorized, your account will continue be frozen and the company will notify the authorities. If it is authorized however, your account will be reactivated immediately. This is very helpful as normally the only way you would know of this is if you are already harassed by collection agencies or when you try to get credit only to find your credit rating has been thrashed.

3. Assistance in the process of clearing credit. Should the thieves be successful in using your identity, the company will help you with the police regarding warrants, as well as assist you in getting collection agencies to stop harassing you for debts that aren?t yours.

An Identity Theft Protection company offers various plans:

The basic plan usually covers tracking of your credit report and alerts in case of suspicious transactions. You will also receive notifications every time a new account is opened or a new inquiry appears on your report. Given the rise of competition in lending, note that many lenders offer this basic plan for free.

Meanwhile, in a more detailed plan, you can receive monthly reports (as compared to yearly reports in a basic plan) and counseling services. Some Identity Theft Protection companies also cover out-of-pocket fees in case you become an identity theft victim. This detailed plan usually charges a reasonable fee of $100 per individual or $150 per household annually.

There are also comprehensive plans available which covers each and every cost the consumer incurs through identity theft. Obviously, this service would warrant higher fees.

A few examples of top-notch Identity Theft Protection Companies include LifeLock Identity Theft Protection and Equifax Credit Monitoring Service. Note that Lifelock offers $1,000,000 Identity Theft Protection Service Guarantee.

Subscribing to an Identity Theft Protection company is just one of the ways you can protect yourself from identity theft. There are other simple steps you can take like being more cautious in all your transactions and being more careful with regards to your personal information. You certainly can?t go wrong with taking extra precautions when it comes to protecting yourself from identity theft.

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Current studies show that ID Theft is at epidemic proportions. The Federal Trade Commission surveys estimated that there are close to 9.9 million victims and growing by 2 to 3 million a year.

For individuals that are not victims of identity theft, the best thing you can do is check your credit report regularly, focusing on two categories.

* Inquiries from unfamiliar companies. Here we are talking about someone applying for something in your name in a state that you don’t live in. Remember inquiries are the result of you applying for credit.

* Unfamiliar Accounts (tradelines). Are there debts or new credit listed on your credit report that you are not familiar with?

There are 3 major Bureaus that provide services to monitor your credit report. These services give e-mails to you promptly if there are any changes to your report.

What to Do if ID Theft happens to you.

You want to keep a detailed log of events as you start the dispute process. You do this in case you run into problems with a creditor. The first step obviously is contact the 3 credit bureaus, local police, creditors, etc…… You keep detailed conversations logs with any of these entities you communicate with. Also keeps receipts, bills, or out of pocket expenses you incur during the process of disputing. I would also make note of the emotional stress and how it is affecting your work performance and personal relationships. In addition your expenses and time could be tax-deductible in certain circumstance.

Contact Law enforcement

Here is the properties procedure for contacting the authorities so you can file a formal report. You should include all fraudulent accounts in the report. As the Credit Bureaus say they are able to remove disputes, remember to keep a copy of the report number and contact info.

Who to contact:

* FTC.gov/bcp/coline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf

* Local Police Department

* FTC 800-438-4338 or 800?ID THEFT

Credit Bureaus – Steps to take with the CRAs

* Notify one of the credit bureaus fraud units that you are victim of Identity Theft. This Bureau will be responsible for telling the other 2 Bureaus. (Equifax: 800-525-6285; Experian: 888-397-3742; Trans Union: 800-680-7289)

* Tell Bureaus to flag you credit report with fraud alert

* Get a copy of your credit report with scores

* Once you have read your report, send a dispute letter, accompanied with police report along with the FTC fraud affidavit specifying which accounts are fraudulent.

* Subscribe to the Bureaus monitoring services of your credit report

* Consider signing up for Trusted ID services which will block your credit report so only you can use it.

* Ask the Bureaus to contact the creditors that fraudulent activities have taken place.

Debt Collectors- You will be getting calls from debt collectors more than likely. If they call you:

* Get the debt collectors companies name, address and there phone number. Let him or her know you are noting the time and date of the conversation in your log activity book

* Inform the collection agency you are a victim of Identity Theft

* Provide the FTC uniform fraud affidavit

* Ask for number and name of credit issuer.

* Send the debt collector a letter, stating that you do not owe this debt and that the account has been close.

* Request in writing that the account is being flagged as fraudulent, and is being closed. You also should request in writing that the fraudulent account is being removed from your credit report.

New accounts opened in your name: the Identity Thief has opened new accounts in your good name: what to do. The credit report you pulled should list all creditors that have accounts in your name with contact numbers.

* Notify each creditor of the identity theft that has taken place to you. You will be asked to send a fraud affidavit. (Be sure to put all of this in your log)

* Ask the creditors to send you any application or fraudulent activity that has happened in your good name.

* Add passwords to all accounts

* If the thief has got a hold of your checking account, credit cards, get replacements with new numbers. Call and request these accounts to be closed as well.

* Fill out FTC uniform fraud affidavit.

Your Checking account- If the thief has written checks in your name here is what you do.

* Call your local police, and file a report

* Call your bank and close the account immediately

* Remember to keep good logs

* Typically your bank will refund you your money, and ask for a copy of police report filed.

This stuff is serious business; I hope this will help you resolve issues involving identity theft to you.

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Surf the web in Grand Theft Auto 4. Nico needs to set up a date with a hot guy, and isn’t too pleased about it. Presented by www.NewGenGamer.com

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CHECK OUT MY LATEST VIDEO: http://tinyurl.com/nqxt29

Phil McCracken has a few words for people who steal from the Internet.

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ID Theft and Identity Theft Prevention

Identity theft affects over 9 million Americans alone each year. As the degree of damage varies from individual to individual, the lasting effects are nearly the same. ID theft ultimately affects your credit score. And in many cases ID theft can cause major damage without the victim even realizing it at first. Identity theft can occur simply by a ID thief obtaining a person?s identifying information such as their name, Social Security numbers, credit care and other account numbers and more.

There are many ways thief can use a person?s identity and not just so they can steal money and buy home theater systems or take lavish vacations, like the recent college-aged thieves caught after years of stealing credit to finance expensive vacations, but many will even steal such information for paying their own rent, telephone bill or even checking out books at the public library.

There are many ways in which an identity thief can obtain your information. Many of the methods used more frequently include going through your trash, going through your mail and stealing a credit card statement in order to obtain your credit card number, email scams, stealing purses and wallets, and even an employee at a restaurant or store jotting down your credit card number as they are running your card.

These events and more can really damage a person?s credit report and overall score which could take a while just to get back in order.

So how can a person protect themselves from identity theft? The most effective way to combat identity theft is to check your billing statements regularly as well as monitor your credit report regularly. Monitoring ones credit does not have to occur daily. But, if done on a monthly basis, one can see any discrepancies on their credit report soon after a potential identity theft occurrence appears on their credit report or billing statement.

Despite the fact that the ID theft occurrence may not be entirely the credit holder?s fault, the lasting effects become that victim?s responsibility to discover and fix. However, there are now services that provide identity theft protection which can be found in more detail at our site. These services can help you keep a close eye on your credit and all identifying information and help prevent identity theft overall.

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