Password Protection Required
Identity thefts are far more complex in nature compared to normal burglaries. A burglar is satisfied with an empty house to loot but an identity thief gets his information piece by piece.
Protection from Scammers
Mortgage scams these days are second only to Identity thefts and frauds. There are many people out there who make a living out of scamming people. Scammers first get hold of a victim and then they do all they can to ensure that they get your cash and identity and leave before you realize that something is wrong.
Observe Safety While Shopping Online
Whether you are getting a new laptop shipped from a different country or are feeling a bit lazy and decide to shop from home, the Internet makes it all possible. This vast network of computers and information has made life very easy not only for food, travel and education but also for shopping.
Identity Theft
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is a major form of scam or fraud where one person assumes the identity of another person in order to commit felonies or use the other person’s resources by bearing their name. Any person whose identity has been stolen and misused is known as a victim of identity theft and the fraudulent person who steals the victim’s identity is called as an Identity thief. As most identity thieves use the other person’s identity to commit crimes, the person whose identity is stolen can suffer the consequences of these crimes and are often held accountable for the other person’s actions. This is not only limited to individuals as a number of organizations have also been defrauded in the same way in the past.
It’s more than just a prank!
The term itself is a misnomer as it is impossible to steal a person’s identity; the phrases impersonation and identity fraud are more acceptable these days. With the advent of the internet, Identity fraud is more or less commonplace these days. As most individuals are uncertain as to how the thief might have attained their information, the challenge lies in linking the breach of data to the actual theft or fraud. An identity fraud does not always have to be an identity theft. In the former, the thief uses your personal information to commit crimes and misuses your identity but in the latter, the thief assumes your identity and can use it for as long as he or she is caught.
Basic Types of Identity Theft
- Business Identity Theft: In this type of identity theft, the thief uses a person’s business name and other personal information to get access to their credit cards and bank accounts. Many organizations become victim to this type of identity thefts.
- Criminal Identity Theft: Here, the thief poses as a completely different individual if ever apprehended for a crime he or she committed. Many a time, people have stolen credentials and fake ID’s to prove their claim. If their scam works, then all charges are placed under the victim’s name.
- Synthetic Identity Theft: This type of theft has thieves fabricating the identities of individuals using their personal information like social security number and date of birth. Apart from affecting the individual, this type of theft also affects creditors who grant credit to fraudsters.
- Medical Identity Theft: This occurs in hospitals and other clinics where thieves show someone else’s identity to claim insurance benefits and other medical services.