Because Identity Theft has become such a huge issue that can effect so many of us, I decided to have my associate, Joan Senitz, write a Guest Post highlighting some important information and facts we should all be aware of.
Identity Theft – Are you at risk?- by Joan Senitz, Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist
Yes, we all are. According to a Federal Trade Commission report of February 2008, nearly 23,000 people become victims of identity theft every day. In 2007 consumers lost 45.3 billion dollars in identity theft. And the director of the Boise Better Business Bureau stated that identity theft rose 3 to 4 times higher in 2007.
What is Identity Theft?
It is the act of someone stealing your personal information and using it to better themselves in a variety of ways. When most of us think of identity theft we think of credit card/financial. However, that’s only about 25 percent of the problem. Identity theft also includes, Driver’s License, Social Security, Medical, and Character/Criminal Identity Thefts, which make up roughly 75 percent of the crimes and can be far more devastating to an individual.
You can take precautions but unless you live in a cave in Outer Mongolia, you are still at risk. For information on things you need to be aware of and things you can do to help yourself contact me at 208–794-4811 or email me at jbsconsultingllc@q.com.
Joan Senitz is a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist and President of JBS Consulting, LLC, a company dedicated to helping individuals and businesses be prepared for the “just-in-case” event of identity theft.
10 Ways to Have Your Identity Stolen
Identity theft is a growing problem in the United States and Arizona has one of the highest levels of identity theft in the nation. I am often asked, “How does someone steal an identity?” Here are 10 popular methods criminals use to steal a person’s identity.
1. Phishing – Criminals use spam e-mail or pop-up windows asking consumers to disclose their personal information such as bank account numbers, social security number and date of birth. Often these appear to be legitimate correspondence from a financial institution or government agency.
2. Criminals complete a “change of address “ form and send it to the post office thus routing the victims mail to a PO Box where the criminal can retrieve the mail at their leisure.
3. Criminals steal mail directly from the victim’s mailbox which can include bank statements, wage statements, credit card information and preapproved checks.
4. Shoulder Surfing – Criminals standing nearby obtain credit card or other information typed into a laptop or PDA, and provided verbally over the phone.
5. Fraudsters steal wallets and purses which often contain valuable personal information.
6. Criminals pose as legitimate government officials, corporate employees, or members of legitimate and call victims asking for personal information. This is usually done by convincing the victim the information is needed to complete a transaction.
7. Criminals steal personal information from government and business computers by hacking into the systems.
8. Criminals can obtain your personal information when they break into your home or car.
9. Criminals rummage through trash to find bank statements, credit card statements and other documents containing personal information.
10. Credit/Debit Card Skimming – Criminals place devices on ATMs and credit card transaction machines that read and copy the information on the card’s magnetic strip.