Everyone is pretty much aware of identity theft, but not everyone is sure what it is or how it happens. At the most basic level, identity theft takes place when a person uses another individual’s personal identifying data, such as their social security number, credit card number, name, or birth date, to commit crime or other fraudulent acts.
But just what does “identity theft” mean? And why is it such a serious problem?
It’s important to understand what “identity theft” really is and what you can do to protect yourself from it. If you’ve ever been a victim of identity thieves, then you know it’s a horrible experience. You may have been the victim of ID theft, and not even be aware of it. For instance, if you fill out an online form and are hit with a spam email telling you that you have been “visited” by “someone you don’t know”, chances are good that your information has been stolen and used to make purchases over the Internet. This is ID theft – the crime of using your personal information for fraudulent purposes.
On the Internet; thieves may use computers to carry out phishing scams. Phishing is where thieves use fake credit cards to make purchases. Instead of providing your credit card information during the transaction (which would open up you to fraud), the thieves will use your information to make purchases. To make you think your information isn’t being used for fraud, the “store” will bill you for items you didn’t order. This is common on the Internet, but it’s an ID theft as well.
ID theft can also happen off-lain;. There are many instances of identity fraud where criminals have gained access to a computer through malicious software – including keyloggers and viruses. Malware acts just like a virus: it infiltrates a computer and copies itself onto other computers. The only difference is that malware doesn’t have to be connected to a criminal to perform this crime.
To make sure you don’t become a victim of ID theft; you should keep your computer running in a clean state. There’s no need for any spyware, adware, or malware. Your anti-virus software can do this for you, as can a backup recovery plan. Keep yourself protected!
If you’re a victim of ID theft; contact your local law enforcement agency or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). They will not only help you file a police report, but will help you find the person responsible. You can contact the BBB either by phone or online. Remember, filing a police report is only the first step in recovering from identity theft. Getting a Free ID Theft Report is the Next Step!