Identity Thief Methods

True name, identity theft means that the thief uses personal information to open new accounts. The thief may open a new credit card account, or even establish a cellular phone service in your name. Account takeover, identity theft means the imposter uses personal information to gain access to the person’s assisting accounts. The thief will change the address on the account and run up a huge bill before the persons whose identity has been stolen realizes there is even a problem. Consequently, the internet has made it easy for a person’s identity to be stolen because the transaction can be made without asking any personal information. Retrieving personal paperwork and discarded mail from trash dumpsters (dumpster diving) is one of the easiest ways for an identity thief to get information. Another popular method to get information is shoulder surfing-the identity thief simply stands next to someone at a public office, such as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and watches as the person fills out personal information on a form.

There is a thief that lurks around us everyday; this thief can attack in brad day light or in the darkest hour, and just about anywhere you may find yourself. This thief has the power to act in your name, make unlimited purchases, open up credit accounts and ruin your good name and credit all in the matter of seconds; if you are vulnerable enough, you might become his next victim. In many cases all he needs is your name and a social security number, and he has enough information to make you his next victim; if you don’t believe me then ask the millions of Americans that became victim’s, or just ask me. The thief that I am talking about is identity theft. Identity theft is a

There is no “sure” way to stop identity theft from happening to someone. There are only measures that may make it harder for thieves to steal someone’s identity because nothing is foolproof. People can shred their important documents after they’re done with them to help prevent their identity to be stolen via dumpster diving, but the thief may find all the shreds and put them together just like a puzzle. The odds of this happening are slim, but there is still a chance, a chance lower than just throwing it out. People should make sure to not use ATMs and not to do personal banking in public, but this will only slow down a thief who is determined to steal someone’s identity. Once a thief is determined to steal someone’s identity and only their identity, there are not many obstacles stopping him/her.

Student Answer: There are several methods to a crook use to steal your identity. Some crooks are using credit cards and drivers licenses with identities lifted from a stolen or forged passports a crook can be one that is pilfering your credit card number and charging merchandise to your

There are many ways to minimize the chance of getting your identity stolen such as; keeping or shredding all documents with your name, address, any important numbers like your social security number or bank account numbers. If you need these papers, put them in a lockable fire safe. There are also web sites called “Active Duty Alerts” that can help

Tax-related identity theft occurs when a tax return is filed using a stolen social security number. Usually, this is something that will be discovered when you complete your annual taxes. You are most likely to discover that a thief has stolen your social security number and filed a return earlier in the

One reason identify theft is being a fast growing crime in the United State is because; more people credit card information is being stolen. Around 10% of American has fallen victims to credit card theft. Around 7% of Americans have been victim of debit or ATM fraud and 12% of the fraud was on internet websites and 10 % was on the telephone. One example of identity theft was eighteen months after moving in with his fiancée Joe Tremba begain to receive collection letter about past due credit card account that have been given to a collection agency. Tremba who always pays his bills on time was

In the article, “Someone Had Taken Over My Life” by Laura Shin, Amy Krebs describes what it feels like to become a victim of identity theft. She got a call one day unexpectedly from a major credit card company’s fraud department. They said someone had tried to access a credit card using Amy’s name, address and Social Security number. She thought someone had stolen her credit card and had maybe gone out to eat or purchased some items, but she was wrong. This was a bigger and more serious problem than Amy has ever imagined. It involved going to many court cases, and took at least a year to solve. Amy advises to be cautious with your information going forward, because even if you do all the right things and shred things, and ask all the right

Therefore, when someone uses your personal information to obtain identification, credit or even a mortgage, you become a victim of identity theft. This crime is devastating to a victim’s credit score and peace of mind.

Furthermore , if your identity is stolen they can get your birthdate and social security number. When your identity is stolen you don’t know who stole it. You have to worry about someone thinking that they got your identity. They can use your credit cards without you knowing. They can use your identity to do whatever they want to do. If someone steals your identity they can do whatever they want to do your name.

I agree, Kelsey. Thieves take personal information to create ID's. My mother was a victim of taking birth dates and social security numbers of 12 individuals ‘to seek medical attention, for her narcotic addiction. She would overhear the personal information and write it down to use at another hospital. However, my mother and I don't have a relationship, but I don't think she was ever charged. That is why it's important to monitor your personal information and never say anything where others can over hear.

Identity theft is the least understood of all problems, though this assumption of our identities for fraudulent purposes is the most alarming of all problems. It is the most rapidly growing crime in the United States. It is quite complex, and this is how fraudsters work. A fraudster gets hold of your personal information, including your social security number and the numbers of your credit cards, among others. It is not so difficult if you are not careful. He/she assumes your identity, runs up astronomical bills, and leaves you holding the bag. This leaves you with a credit record that is totally ruined, and creditors at your door screaming for their money.

Identity theft is the fastest growing fraud crime in America (Finklea, 2009). Gaining knowledge in preventing theft will better the economy and lower the crime rates in America. There are reported 9.9 million victims of identity theft and this number is increasing rapidly as the years go on. It has been reported that an estimate of fifty billion dollars has been charged to our consumers every year due to identity theft (Finklea, 2009).

By definition “Identity theft n. the dishonest acquisition of personal information in order to perpetrate fraud, typically by obtaining credit, loans, etc., in someone else's name; fraud perpetrated in this way. ” (dictionary.oed.com, 2007). It’s estimated that 9 million Americans have had their identities stolen each year. “According to the Secret Service, its investigations show a jump in potential losses due to identity theft, from $851 million in 1998 to $1.4 billion in 2000.” add citation from how stuff works There are many ways that thieve steal your identity, they may go through your trash, steal your wallet or purse. I will discuss a lot of the different ways in more

The less sophisticated thieves have perfected the art of “dumpster-driving” rummaging through trash. Abusing employer’s authorized access to credit reports or some even playing ‘landlord’ has given them unauthorized access to victim’s reports. Some victims have been scammed fro information by an identity thief posing as a legitimate businessperson or government official. In the most recent news from Concord, NC (Aug. 19, 2004), the police have uncovered a more sophisticated case of ID theft. The newspapers stated, “Authorities think a portable credit card reader, or skimmer, was used to read personal information off a credit card’s magnetic strip. Then those details were applied to the strip on the back of a different cared.”