Sometimes it can get overwhelming trying to remember identity theft prevention tips. We’ve decided to make it easy for you. Below you’ll find eight identity theft prevention tips, using the word “identity” as your memory cue.
Continue reading "Identity Theft Prevention the Easy Way" »
It used to be that high school students would get out of class for an assembly and the speaker was usually a recovering alcoholic there to warn about the dangers of substance abuse and drunk driving. While those are certainly very valid and beneficial topics young people need to know about, there’s also a new area of concern that high school students being educated on. We now live in a world where children are becoming the victims of identity theft.
Continue reading "Has Your Child Been the Victim of Identity Theft?" »
When people ask about identity theft, one of the first questions that seems to come out is "How long will the effects of identity theft last?" The answer to this question, unfortunately, isn't always cut and dry. There are many factors to consider when estimating how long identity theft will affect someone. Here are some things to think about.
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A while back we wrote about illegal immigration and how it affects identity theft. It was quite a hot-button topic. Some were so adamant about the rights of illegal aliens that they didn't look at the article for what it was -- information on how illegal immigration affects identity theft. Others said we had no proof that illegal immigrants commit identity theft and that we were speculating. Well, my friends, the proof is in the pudding and the truth has been exposed.
Continue reading "More on Identity Theft and Illegal Immigration" »
To me, identity theft will always be somewhat of a mystery. I, personally, cannot fathom why someone would steal the identity of another. Don't get me wrong. I understand the concept of basic human greed and monetary evil, but I just don't see how someone could actually do this to another human being. I guess I'm just not wired that way. However, if a person can put a price on morality, then it's not hard to conclude that identity theft is just too tempting for some to resist.
Continue reading "Identity Theft Criminals: Why They Do It..." »
Think that identity theft criminals just want your information so they can get credit in your name? Feel you're not at risk of identity theft because your credit isn't up to par? You may want to change the way you think about identity theft. Identity theft criminals may be after more than your credit.
Continue reading "Identity Theft Isn't Always Financial In Nature" »
As a parent, you're supposed to protect your children. That's what makes it so horrendous and ugly when parents commit identity theft. And I'm not talking about identity theft of some random individual -- I'm talking about identity theft of their very own child. Think it doesn't happen? Guess again.
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Your son gets arrested for writing bad checks or your daughter applies for her first apartment only to find out she has thousands of dollars in unpaid debts -- welcome to the world of identity theft. Think identity theft only affects the elderly or the uninformed? Guess again? Identity theft lowlifes are targeting children too.
Continue reading "Children Are at an Increasing Risk of Identity Theft" »
When it comes to talking about identity theft, I usually like to stick with the facts in an calm, collected and unbiased manner. However, when something makes me sick to my stomach and induces a bit of rage in me -- well, I'm not the type to keep my mouth shut about it. What's got me in a tizzy? How law enforcement, prosecutors and the courts in general really don't really seem to give a darn about identity theft victims.
Continue reading "Identity Theft: When Are The Courts Going To Take It Seriously?" »
When it comes to identity theft, there is definitely cause for concern. But are companies starting to take advantage of the fear that this very personal crime instills in us? The sad fact of the matter is, some companies are. Before you go spending money to protect yourself from identity theft, there are some things you need to consider.
Continue reading "Putting Identity Theft Into Perspective" »
If you've seen the identity theft commercials on television -- the one that portrays the big guy sitting on the couching talking with a cheerleader's voice or the one with the little old lady with the voice of a gangster -- it can be hard not to laugh. But is identity theft really a laughing matter?
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Let me ask you a question… What’s in your wallet? And no, I’m not trying to sell you a credit card. Too many consumers make the mistake of carrying unnecessary personal documents with them on a regular basis. And this, my friend, can actually lead to identity theft.
Continue reading "Are You Increasing Your Own Risk of Identity Theft?" »
Identity theft is a growing crime, and if you don’t take steps to protect yourself you may later come to regret. Below you’ll learn some easy to remember, but nevertheless important tips for reducing your risk of identity theft.
Continue reading "Identity Theft from A to G" »
A recent news article focused on the connection between identity theft and methamphetamine use. Confused? It might seem illogical. What could identity theft and drug use have in common? It's actually a pretty direct connection. Criminals who commit identity theft are often drug users, and identity theft enables them to support their expensive habits.
Continue reading "How Illegal Drug Use and Identity Theft are Related" »
Sometimes identity theft is referred to as identity fraud. You might be wondering what determines how a crime is defined. If you want to know what makes one crime one thing and another the other, read on...
Continue reading "Identity Fraud Explained" »
It’s National Consumer Protection Week, which means it is a perfect time to think about topics we usually don’t like to address such as fraud, identity theft, and cyber crime. Crimes such as fraud and identity theft can occur at any time, and National Consumer Protection Week is the perfect time to educate yourself about these concerns.
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It’s highly likely that notorious criminals Bonnie and Clyde could have hardly predicted that in the new millennium cyber crime would be a phrase in an American’s vocabulary. Cyber crime definitely is an unfortunate reality in our society due to our reliance on computers and the Internet.
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Identity theft can be disguised in many forms. I don’t know about where you live, but do you ever get those door-to-door salespeople who arrive on your doorstep selling magazines? A few months ago I had a young salesperson who showed up at my door trying to sell magazines. It’s quite possible his company was completely legitimate. He wasn’t a college student, but he was competing for a trip to Cancun or some other exotic destination and had to sell enough magazine subscriptions to qualify. I wasn’t willing to purchase magazines from someone who just showed up on my doorstep because I was concerned about the possibility of identity theft.
Continue reading "Identity Theft and the Traveling Salesman" »
If you think identity theft is under control, you may want to think twice. Although some may have you believe that the criminals are being caught and the world is safer, identity theft is still on the rise. Identity theft stories make headlines on a regular basis, and this week has been no exception. Earlier this week headlines revealed yet another recent case of identity theft.
Continue reading "Identity Theft Occurs Daily" »
When you hear news reports about identity theft that involve everyday businesses, you are quickly reminded just how often you use your credit and debit cards. As a result, you are also reminded how much your risk of identity theft has increased. The more your card numbers are out there, technically the greater your risk of identity theft is. Below you’ll learn about one new case of identity theft that recently made headlines. You’ll also learn what I consider to be some very useful tips for offsetting the damage that can be caused should you become the victim of identity theft.
Continue reading "How Receipts Can Help Fight Identity Theft" »
Even though Christmas is over, identity theft is still a reason for concern. Just last week an employee at a Delaware mall was arrested for identity theft. Apparently, she took the credit card information of customers she sold gift cards to and used that information to buy gift cards for herself. Just think of how often you used your credit cards this holiday season and how many sales associates you came into contact with this holiday shopping season. The more purchases you made, the greater your risk of identity theft.
Continue reading "Identity Theft after the Holidays" »
One complicated area of identity theft and how it relates to consumers’ lives has to do with access to medical information. Consumers are becoming more vocal and some are demanding easy access to their own medical records via the Internet. They feel that if they could conveniently access their own medical records they would be able to double check their medical records for accuracy. However, there are many privacy concerns with making medical records available over the internet, and identity theft ranks at the top of the list of concerns.
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Your risk of identity theft during the holidays goes through the roof, so to speak. Identity theft can occur any time of the year, but the busy holiday season puts consumers at a much greater risk for identity theft.
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There’s no doubt that identity theft has been increasing in recent years, and it has become one of the fastest growing crimes. Identity theft is an ever present threat, and recent developments in the news have led to speculation that identity theft and illegal immigration are connected.
Continue reading "The Link Between Identity Theft and Illegal Immigration" »
Identity theft usually involves a huge loss of time and money for its victims. That can certainly be annoying and frustrating, but it doesn’t seem quite as somber when you consider the worst possible case of identity theft. Hollywood portrayed identity theft at its possible worst in the movie The Talented Mr. Ripley starring Matt Damon. The Talented Mr. Ripley portrayed Damon’s character as a sociopath who murdered several people and then assumed the identity of the young millionaire that he killed. This movie is clearly identity theft portrayed in the worst possible way.
Continue reading "Identity Theft Hollywood Style" »
Identity theft statistics can be quite an eye opener for many individuals. Many of us know how to reduce the likelihood that we will become a victim of identity theft, but that is the extent of our familiarity with the subject. Knowing identity theft statistics can lead us to make positive changes that can reduce our potential for becoming a victim of identity theft.
Continue reading "Interesting Identity Theft Statistics" »
Employers often unknowingly contribute to identity theft by standard practices that present a risk for their employees. It’s a sad but unfortunate reality that you might become the victim of identity theft simply because your employer is too lenient in guarding sensitive information such as the social security numbers of their employees.
Continue reading "How Employers Can Contribute to Identity Theft" »
Anyone can become the victim of identity theft, including elderly individuals who rarely use their credit cards and have never been on a computer. However, it is important to remember that the elderly are affected very differently by identity theft and they may need our help in fighting and preventing the crime from happening to them.
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Identity theft can be quite an uncomfortable topic to talk about. With recent technological advancements, you would think that it would be very hard for someone to steal another person’s identity. Whatever happened to the promises of having your fingerprints scanned in order to confirm your identity, social security number, and many other pieces of personal information? Truthfully, identity theft is getting easier to accomplish for greedy, but savvy, criminals.
Continue reading "Why Isn’t Identity Theft Getting Better?" »
We keep hearing that measures are being taken to combat identity theft. People are monitoring their credit reports, shredding credit applications and installing safety programs on their computers. While some may say identity theft is on the decrease, a certain form of identity theft certainly seems to be on the rise.
Continue reading "Has YOUR Social Security Number Been Stolen for Employment Fraud?" »
You wake up one morning, head to your computer and turn it on. You pour yourself a cup of coffee as you’re waiting for the computer to boot up and you go back to your desk and log into your email account. To your surprise, there are hundreds of messages in your inbox. Boy, the spam jerks must have been busy last night! The only problem is, you were the spammer and you don’t even realize it.
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We’re all concerned about identity theft and most of us have been looking for ways to reduce our risk of identity theft and check to be sure we haven’t yet become victims. From shredding our personal documents to keeping a constant eye on our credit reports, the war on identity theft seems to be getting more involved and complicated. However, a new identity theft service may be the answer to what many consumers have been looking for.
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Just when we thought almost everyone was on top of their identity-theft prevention game, it turns out that scores of Americans are still handing their personal information to the wolves. Our social security numbers are what identity theft criminals want most, and we are sometimes all to willing to oblige them. Make sure you’re not playing into their hands by answering the questions we’ve laid out for you.
Continue reading "Americans Are Still Making Identity Theft Easy" »
Those of us who have been using the Internet for years tend to assume that everyone’s gotten plugged into the Web right along with us. The truth of the matter is, each and every day more and more people who have never visited the Internet are logging on -- and these people are prime targets for identity theft criminals.
Continue reading "Internet Newbies at Greater Risk of Identity Theft" »
Okay, I will admit that I can sound pretty doom and gloom when it comes to fighting identity theft. In fact, one might believe that identity theft risks are lurking around every corner. While I do emphasize the importance of being vigilant when it comes to fighting identity theft, there are some things that can be cleared up so you’re not afraid to breathe lest you risk becoming a victim.
Continue reading "Identity Theft: A Difference between Caution and Paranoia" »
Okay, I will admit that I can sound pretty doom and gloom when it comes to fighting identity theft. In fact, one might believe that identity theft risks are lurking around every corner. While I do emphasize the importance of being vigilant when it comes to fighting identity theft, there are some things that can be cleared up so you’re not afraid to breathe lest you risk becoming a victim.
Continue reading "Identity Theft: A Difference between Caution and Paranoia" »
When most of us think about identity theft, images of a lowly, lone criminal searching for our personal information usually come to mind. However, the true face of identity theft may indeed paint a very different picture. Many cases of identity theft have nothing to do with the lone criminal, but rather entire identity theft rings -- and those may do the worst damage.
Continue reading "Identity Theft Isn’t Always a Solitary Game" »
There’s been some debate lately as to whether or not identity theft is really the problem it’s reported to be. Some people are trying to say that identity theft isn’t as widespread as some of the experts would like you to believe and that the advice being given to protect yourself is just a matter of making you paranoid. Considering the fact that identity theft is indeed the problem we all fear it is, I’m wondering who’s behind the message that it’s not really anything for the average person to worry about. Could the identity theft criminals be trying to run damage control?
Continue reading "Are Identity Theft Warnings Really Overblown?" »
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country. Unfortunately, many of the victims don’t even know that they’ve been victimized until months after the damage has been done and for some it may take more than a year to ever find out about the situation. There are, however, red flags you should pay attention to that can indicate that you’ve been the victim of identity theft.
Continue reading "Would You Know If You Were a Victim of Identity Theft?" »
It used to be that victims of identity theft would go into their local police departments, file a police report, and have that report shoved into a folder to get lost amid a mass of similar complaints that nothing was being done about. Nowadays, that’s no longer the case and incidents of identity theft are being followed up on and prosecuted like never before. But why did it take so long for the authorities to stand up and take notice?
Continue reading "Is Identity Theft Finally Getting Some Attention?" »
If you think that senior citizens are the biggest target of identity theft or that the majority of identity theft occurs online, you might be surprised to find out the facts. The true face of identity theft isn’t always what we think it is.
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ATM theft is an increasingly common crime. If you think that ATM theft involves someone breaking into an ATM and stealing the cash that’s in there, you’re mistaken. Quite to the contrary, the most common ATM theft involves someone stealing your ATM card information. But what can someone do with your ATM information? You might be surprised.
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You’re enjoying yourself at your favorite resort and it’s time to checkout. Rather than take your key card with you, you leave it behind. No harm, no foul right? Wrong! Believe it or not, something as simple as leaving your hotel room key card behind may very well lead to identity theft.
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When most of us think about identity theft, we think about how adults and senior citizens are often the victim of the crime. However, identity theft criminals aren’t discriminatory when it comes to the age of their victims. In fact, victims as young as two years old have experienced identity theft. How do you protect your child from becoming a victim?
Continue reading "Identity Theft Doesn't Just Happen to Adults" »
When you think of identity theft, you probably don’t consider chat rooms. After all, how often is someone actually going to come right out and ask you for your social security number or other personal information during a casual chat conversation? The problem is, chat rooms are actually a place where identity theft occurs, and you need to know how to protect yourself from the crime.
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You’re a good, law abiding citizen. You work hard, you pay your bills and you manage your finances responsibly. One day the police arrive at your door. You’d like to think they’re there performing some community service, but in reality, they’re there to arrest you. Think it can’t happen to you? Think again! Anyone can become an identity theft victim and identity theft can lead to this scenario.
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Identity theft is an increasingly common crime. When most of us think of the people who commit identity theft, we think of criminals who go dumpster diving or who steal our information via high-tech computerized means. However, the face of identity theft criminals may be more familiar than you think. Oftentimes, the victims of identity theft are victimized by someone close to home.
Continue reading "When Identity Theft Hits Home" »