answersLogoWhite

0

Knowing a little bit about identity theft can make all of the difference in never becoming a victim. With each rise in frequency for this crime has come new strategies and tools for protecting yourself. Here’s what you need to know about identity theft.

What Criminals Know About Identity Theft

One of the most pernicious facts about identity theft is that you may not even be aware that it has occurred until you go to take out a loan, apply for a new job or otherwise check your credit and background. Identity thieves will rummage through your trash, peek over your shoulder, put viruses on your computer, send you emails or letters that look like they come from your bank or other trusted institutions or even just check out public records. If they can get a name, address, social security number and other vital stats they can pretend to be you for purposes of fraud.

One form of identity theft is where the perpetrator uses your identity to open bank accounts, lines of credit or use your credit cards to purchase goods and take out cash advances. They will take as much as they can and then abandon your identity; you will likely not realize what has happened until you check your credit. Another type of pernicious identity theft is when criminals under arrest provide your name and identity to police, ensuring that you have the criminal record, not them. This may take even longer to iron out, and you will likely never know until you have a background check performed and their crimes show up as yours.

What You Can Do About Identity Theft

Prevention is the best way to avoid your identity being stolen. One important step is to make sure that you never throw out any trash that has your name, social security number or any other identification on it. Buy a shredder and use it. Secondly, you need anti-virus software on your computer, and you need to update it regularly. Malware is one of the best ways for identity thieves to obtain your personal information, so keep your computer clean and never reply with personal information in an email, even if it looks like it was from your bank or another trusted institution. Finally, regular credit checks and the occasional background check on yourself can expose any breaches soon enough to do something about the violation.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Is this obama's bank rounting number 124085024?

No this is an identify theft scam


What is an antonym and synonym for identify?

synonym- analyze, determineantonym- confuse, mistakeAntonym (opposite meaning):confusemistakeSynonyms (same meaning):classify- as in "Identify the severity of the following crimes: identity theft, robbery, assault."recognize- as in "Can you identify the thief that stole your purse from a line-up of suspects?"associate- as in "I can identify with the victim because I have experienced theft as well."


Can you be arrested for using someones else's Social Security number to take out a cellphone plan?

Yes, Identity Theft includes taking or using someone's Social Security Number. Identify Theft that includes theft of services or goods is illegal. Both Identity Theft and Theft of services or goods are criminal acts for which a person can be fined, face jail time, and be required to pay restitution.


If caught what charges does an identify thief face?

Fraud and theft for starters. And these can be brought at a state and federal level, or even both.


What impact does phishing have to society?

Phishing leads to losses of money and identify theft which costs the victim and the country a lot of money to fix.


What is the punishment of identity theft?

Identity theft is a criminal activity that is taken seriously. It is classed as a felony in most states in America. Penalties vary by state and according to the severity of the crime. For example, in Michigan anyone convicted of identify theft faces a maximum of 5 years imprisonment and a minimum fine of $25,000. However, Rhode Island law states that identify theft is punishable by imprisonment for 3 years.


Do you think social security numbers should exist due to too many identity theft reports?

I do personally think that social security numbers are needed to prevent identity theft. Although there are many instances of identity theft, the instances would be greater without social security numbers to help identify citizens with.


A cat burglar has stolen a cat and you have been hired to identify the theft's next target name the object the burglar is going to steal next?

a cat.


A problem in Brazil for identity theft?

No, identify theft in Brazil is very rare if not at all. They have new identity cards al the time. Brazil's technology is one of the most advanced in the world and very up to date! All identity cards are almost impossible to copy.


What should I know before finding identity theft help?

Make sure you were really the vicitim of identify theft. If so, they inquire about protecting your idenity. You want to find a company that's non-profit. They will be in the best position to offer you the help you need, quickly and easily.


What encourages inteernet users to reveal sensitive information that could lead to identify theft by sending emails that look like they are from legitimate companies but are in fact fake?

Phishing


What is the Diamondback bike identifier used for?

The Diamondback bike identifier is used to uniquely identify and track individual Diamondback bicycles for warranty purposes, registration, and in case of theft.