What is Identity Theft – Understanding its glossary
Identity theft is when fraud has occurred that results in the loss of bank information, passwords, credit card numbers, user names and any personal data that has been stolen. Having the knowledge and understanding of identity theft can empower you and prevent this from happening. Being familiar with the glossary and what the terms entail will help to guard against identity theft happening to you.
* Crimeware is used to carry out identity theft from the user’s computer online accounts, and online retail services by removing funds from the user’s accounts or completing transactions. Crimeware has the purpose to smuggle confidential and personal information from the internet, for financial profiteering.
* Card Scanning is a tool that scans information from credit cards, passports, driver’s licenses, medical cards etc and saves the information.
* Hacker is a person that maneuvers security holes in technology.
* Data Breach is the unconscious exposure of personal information that can lead to identity theft.
* Fraud is when it involves cheating, stealing, misleading information and false impersonation from another person.
* Dishonest Adware is software, which displays or downloads on to your computer after it has been installed.
* Dumpster Diving is when someone goes through trash, looking to find personal information, documents and mailing addresses.
* Drive-by Download is software that installs on to your computer without your knowledge when you visit certain websites.
* Hidden Dialers are programs that can be used on computers to make phone calls that end up on your phone bill.
* Identity theft is when someone steals another person’s personal information and uses it for his or her own. This can include social security, drivers license, passwords, usernames, and bank account information, employee ID etc.
* Mail Fraud is when someone steals mail from your mailbox, to access personal information that will help him or her to get credit using your name.
* Keystroke Logging is software that watches the user’s keystrokes. It has been misused by individuals that which easily can be purchased, to spy on someone else’s computer.
* Malware is often called “malicious software” which is known as computer viruses, Trojan, worms and spy ware.
* Worms are computer viruses, which are sent through email or messaging.
* Spyware is used to gather information without the person’s knowledge.
* Trojan Horses are programs that run independently, disguising as a program that is useful or also hack into a program when it is running.
* Spam is uninvited email ads.
* Spoofing is a deceptive email or website which tries to get you to provide personal information for updating or confirming.
* Rootkits is programs that conceal the fact that the system has been endangered.
* Security Alert is when a statement is added to the person’s credit report that they be fraud involved.
* Pretexting is when someone pretends to be from a charity or organization to achieve in retrieving personal information. This is usually done by email or phone.
* Phishing is when the individual is fooled into giving personal information through links in emails and websites.
* Pharming is when hackers will redirect traffic from a website to their website in order to get personal information such as username and password.
* Scareware is scam software that scares individuals into thinking that a virus has infected their computer and then is directed to download antivirus software, which costs them money to remove it.
Why identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America?
Identity theft in America has increased substantially over the past 4 years. It costs the citizens and government of America billions of dollars every year. The statistics are staggering resulting in 1 in 4 Americans have fallen victim to identity theft. One of the most valid reasons for the growth of this crime is due to wide use of the internet. It gives hackers ample opportunities to search out victims without their own knowledge of this even occurring.
Not only is the internet a target but also thieves will try to steal information through postal mail, license plate numbers, social security numbers etc. With the downslide of the economy, it has shown a rise in identity theft, as more people are out of work and struggling.
How and Where to Respond To Identity Theft?
If you find yourself in the position of someone using your personal information for criminal and fraudulent intentions, whether it’s accessing loans in your name, applying for a credit card in your name to use for purchasing, there is help out there for you.
* First you will need to contact the security departments of the creditor institutions where the credit was authorized and close the accounts.
* You will need to place a fraud alert to the major credit bureaus
* If your social security number has been misused, you can either go online or contact the Social Security Fraud Hotline.
* File a report with your local police if your personal information is used for fraudulent purposes.
* You should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online.
10 Useful Tips To to Prevent Yourself From Identity Fraud
The following is useful tips to help save you from being a victim of identity fraud.
* Join an identity theft protection membership such as TrustedID or LifeLock.
*purchase a shredder. Shred your records and statements. Anything that contains private or personal information either tear it up or even better shred it.
* Empty your mailbox always promptly. A P.O. box will help in stopping thieves from grabbing any of your personal mail. Any outgoing bills or checks should never be mailed from home, as they can be stolen from your mailbox. Always mail them from a post office.
* Purchasing a safe to protect any personal and identification information. In case that your home is robbed, this will help protect you.
* Never give personal information out over the phone or the internet.
* When traveling have your information copied and kept in a safe place. Have a copy made of your passport, serial numbers on equipment, birth certificates etc.
* Always be aware of who is behind you at the ATM machine. Don’t leave any receipts behind.
* Keep an eye on your credit report & credit score. Always review it and check for errors or any suspicious problems.
* Always check your credit card statements carefully.
* Put your name on the Do-Not-Call List.
* Always know whom the person or company that you are dealing with. Find out who they are without ever giving any information
LifeLock
LifeLock provides a proactive identity theft service, specializing in the prevention of identity theft rather than the reporting of it. LifeLock was founded in 2005 and is already considered the industry leader.
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TrustedID
Stop identity theft before it ever happens. Secured from identity theft by its 15 points of protection which includes protection for children, seniors, and medical records, over 97% of TrustedID customers are extremely satisfied, loyal, and most importantly, protected!
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