subject: WHAT WERE THE TOP TEN IDENTITY THEFT SCAMS IN 2010? [print this page] WHAT WERE THE TOP TEN IDENTITY THEFT SCAMS IN 2010?
Statistics show that crimes related to identity theft are definitely on the rise. No matter where you live, identity thieves are everywhere, preying over off-guard victims. Odds are that somebody you know may have fallen a victim of this crime and, hopefully, you have not become another number in the statistics yourself. This type of crime comes in all shapes and sizes. Perhaps you realize that someone has unexpectedly used your private information to receive medical care he or she cannot afford, or that somebody has bought different products on the Internet using your credit card number or that now you have to pay for a new house in a State where you've never been just simply because somebody has asked for a home loan using your Social Security number. And from that moment onwards, your life takes a turn. It can be really time consuming not only to recover any personal information you might have lost but also to repair any damage you might have suffered.
Experts remind us that we should be individually aware of ID theft protection. When it comes to protecting your personal information, even a little prevention is worth far more than the amount of money, energy, and agony that goes into getting your life back to normal after your financial and personal information has been stolen.
These have been the top Identity Theft Scams of 2010
Social-Networking Scam
As more people use social networks, ID thieves hijack accounts and post worrisome status updates, urging friends to send money. Frequently, these messages and status updates revolve around being mugged overseas or being stranded out of state with no money. Friends who read the message immediately grow concerned and try to help by wiring over funds to identity thieves.
Telephone Denial of Service Attack Scam
Criminals will tie up a phone line with hundreds or even thousands of calls, while they loot bank accounts. As a result, the bank can't contact consumers to verify the transactions being made because of the tied-up phone lines.
You are advised never to give personal information regarding your bank account to an unsolicited caller or via e-mail. Remember to change online banking and automated phone system passwords frequently and check your bank balances every time you receive them. Needless to say, have your computer security updated by adding the latest virus protection and security software.
Renter's Scam
Criminals seem to be homeowners by listing the personal information of the "real" homeowner asking potential tenants to fill out applications that require personal and financial information, as well as money that is to be sent to an overseas address. Suddenly the criminal disappears and the victims are left without their money, without a home and totally perplexed after realizing they have been dealing with a scammer.
You are advised to research the property owner in depth before providing him or her with any personal information, credit or debit card number or even your Social Security number.
Charity Scam
Criminals lead you to think they are legitimate charities seeking to collect money for a particular cause. They may even set up fake websites and send you e-mails requesting sensitive information such as social security numbers and passwords, allowing criminals to steal your identity.
This is why it is very important to always contact the charity organization and see if they are really asking you for money and check if there is any other information not contained in any of your ID cards that you can use to make your donation.
