HOW WELL COULD YOU RECOVER, IF YOUR IDENTITY WAS STOLEN?
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The FTC says; ” It is almost impossible to be in business and not hold information on your clients and/or customers and if an employee STEALS this information and fraudulently uses it, the BUSINESS is absolutely liable!”
“Professional thieves know more about the law than about 90% of the people in the world; it’s THEIR BUSINESS to know.”
“Identity Theft Protection is necessary in today's society. The increase in Internet users for banking, shopping and surfing has made it easier for criminals to steal your identity. It takes many people months and sometimes up to a year to realize they are a victim of identity theft.”
Your identity is one of your most valuable assets. Don't wait until it is too late to protect your identity
USE A $26 A MONTH LEGAL SERVICES PLAN...
Many small businesses and individuals prefer to go with a monthly service like this because it allows you to have everything you need at your fingertips with a low monthly rate. You can read more about their plans at the pre-paid legal service website.
Here are a few methods that criminals use you may not be aware of;
TELEPHONE SCAMS
You pick up the phone and are surprised to hear that you are a winner! All you have to do is pay a small shipping fee with your credit card for all your wonderful new presents. It sounds too good to be true, and it usually is. Add your phone number to the 'National Do Not Call Registry' (1-888-382-1222).
JOB RELATED
Criminals may hack into your company's system and they are often able to gain access using social engineering methods. Social engineering is when someone tricks or convinces an employee to give them their password. One example would be a person calling your company and claiming to be tech-support with a network problem and ask an employee for their password.
HOME RELATED
Carrying multiple credit cards and your Social Security card with you can allow this information to fall in the hands of criminals if your wallet or purse is stolen.
MAIL THEFT
Criminals may steal your mail right out of your mailbox to obtain your personal information. They may also take your pre-approved credit card applications to open accounts in your name. Then it is only a matter of filling out a change of address for the criminal to have the account information sent to a new address to prevent you from ever becoming aware of the account.
TRASH SEARCHING
Many criminals will go through your forgotten garbage alone on the curb or dumpsters at your place of business to find copies of your bank statements, checks, credit cards or other records that list your name, address and telephone number.
CARD SWIPEING
And of course there are many places, such as restaurants, where we willingly hand over our credit cards to employees to pay for our check when we have no idea of the character of the person taking our information. We then sign the credit card receipt, giving employees a document that contains our credit card number and our signature.
HACKING
1.Your information can be obtain for free or purchased through online databases.
2.Hackers can obtain your information by gaining access to a merchant's database.
3.Someone may put up a 'mirrored' web site that looks exactly like a popular merchant's web site and get your credit card information when you try to place an order.
4.Placing an order at an unsecured web site sends your information across the internet without encryption where it can easily be captured.
5.New vulnerabilities are discovered everyday for operating systems and other software that can leave your system open to vulnerabilities.
6.The absence of a firewall on your computer system can allow hackers to gain access to your system.
7.By default, most network kits (and operating systems) come 'easy to set up', which means most of the security features are turned off. Using an out-of-the-box network installation can leave your network vulnerable to hackers.
8.Hackers can gain access to your wireless network if not properly secured. There are web sites that list unsecured wireless networks, called 'hotspots', with maps to the network location. There are hackers called war-drivers who (surprise) drive around with laptops testing and looking for unsecured wireless networks.
PHISHING
Phishing occurs when you receive an e-mail that looks like it is from an online merchant, bank or similar organization. The e-mail will contain the same graphics and style of the impersonated merchant and will contain links to the site that look real but are actually disguised.
The e-mail can make various requests, some include requesting that you log into your account to update your information, that your account has been compromised and you need to create a new one, that your account will be cancelled if you don't perform some action...you get the idea.
When you click the link provided in the e-mail, you are taken to a page that looks similar to the page of the merchant or organization that the e-mail is suppose to be coming from, but you have really been re-directed to a false page that is ready to happily receive your personal information.
TROJANS
Trojans find many sneaky ways to gain access to your computer such as e-mail attachments, peer-to-peer file sharing programs, infected disks and CDs. Once a Trojan is on your system, the hacker can use it to open a 'back door' in your system to allow them to gain access to all your personal files. Most Research done at identitytheftsecurity.com
The FTC says; ” It is almost impossible to be in business and not hold information on your clients and/or customers and if an employee STEALS this information and fraudulently uses it, the BUSINESS is absolutely liable!”
“Professional thieves know more about the law than about 90% of the people in the world; it’s THEIR BUSINESS to know.”
“Identity Theft Protection is necessary in today's society. The increase in Internet users for banking, shopping and surfing has made it easier for criminals to steal your identity. It takes many people months and sometimes up to a year to realize they are a victim of identity theft.”
Your identity is one of your most valuable assets. Don't wait until it is too late to protect your identity
USE A $26 A MONTH LEGAL SERVICES PLAN...
Many small businesses and individuals prefer to go with a monthly service like this because it allows you to have everything you need at your fingertips with a low monthly rate. You can read more about their plans at the pre-paid legal service website.
Here are a few methods that criminals use you may not be aware of;
TELEPHONE SCAMS
You pick up the phone and are surprised to hear that you are a winner! All you have to do is pay a small shipping fee with your credit card for all your wonderful new presents. It sounds too good to be true, and it usually is. Add your phone number to the 'National Do Not Call Registry' (1-888-382-1222).
JOB RELATED
Criminals may hack into your company's system and they are often able to gain access using social engineering methods. Social engineering is when someone tricks or convinces an employee to give them their password. One example would be a person calling your company and claiming to be tech-support with a network problem and ask an employee for their password.
HOME RELATED
Carrying multiple credit cards and your Social Security card with you can allow this information to fall in the hands of criminals if your wallet or purse is stolen.
MAIL THEFT
Criminals may steal your mail right out of your mailbox to obtain your personal information. They may also take your pre-approved credit card applications to open accounts in your name. Then it is only a matter of filling out a change of address for the criminal to have the account information sent to a new address to prevent you from ever becoming aware of the account.
TRASH SEARCHING
Many criminals will go through your forgotten garbage alone on the curb or dumpsters at your place of business to find copies of your bank statements, checks, credit cards or other records that list your name, address and telephone number.
CARD SWIPEING
And of course there are many places, such as restaurants, where we willingly hand over our credit cards to employees to pay for our check when we have no idea of the character of the person taking our information. We then sign the credit card receipt, giving employees a document that contains our credit card number and our signature.
HACKING
1.Your information can be obtain for free or purchased through online databases.
2.Hackers can obtain your information by gaining access to a merchant's database.
3.Someone may put up a 'mirrored' web site that looks exactly like a popular merchant's web site and get your credit card information when you try to place an order.
4.Placing an order at an unsecured web site sends your information across the internet without encryption where it can easily be captured.
5.New vulnerabilities are discovered everyday for operating systems and other software that can leave your system open to vulnerabilities.
6.The absence of a firewall on your computer system can allow hackers to gain access to your system.
7.By default, most network kits (and operating systems) come 'easy to set up', which means most of the security features are turned off. Using an out-of-the-box network installation can leave your network vulnerable to hackers.
8.Hackers can gain access to your wireless network if not properly secured. There are web sites that list unsecured wireless networks, called 'hotspots', with maps to the network location. There are hackers called war-drivers who (surprise) drive around with laptops testing and looking for unsecured wireless networks.
PHISHING
Phishing occurs when you receive an e-mail that looks like it is from an online merchant, bank or similar organization. The e-mail will contain the same graphics and style of the impersonated merchant and will contain links to the site that look real but are actually disguised.
The e-mail can make various requests, some include requesting that you log into your account to update your information, that your account has been compromised and you need to create a new one, that your account will be cancelled if you don't perform some action...you get the idea.
When you click the link provided in the e-mail, you are taken to a page that looks similar to the page of the merchant or organization that the e-mail is suppose to be coming from, but you have really been re-directed to a false page that is ready to happily receive your personal information.
TROJANS
Trojans find many sneaky ways to gain access to your computer such as e-mail attachments, peer-to-peer file sharing programs, infected disks and CDs. Once a Trojan is on your system, the hacker can use it to open a 'back door' in your system to allow them to gain access to all your personal files. Most Research done at identitytheftsecurity.com
Add a Comment
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Comment by Jeanine Mercer on June 10, 2009 at 1:12pm
- I was a victim of identity theft where this company opened a telephone account using my name. The company did not get into any trouble and didn't even receive a slap on the hand. If our government is going to let them get away with it, what is pre-paid legal going to do better?
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Comment by JenniferLynn Productions on May 27, 2009 at 8:57am -
1. We use cash a lot when out, reducing the chances that our cards will be misused. (By "we," I mean boyfriend and I.)
2. We run Linux, which--according to my boyfriend--is far less vulnerable to many things that affect Windows based computers. We also password-protect our computers, even at home.
3. We shred or burn everything with personal info on it, rather than recycling it. The shredded paper gets used as cat litter. Who would want to dig through THAT?
I am always very careful with my information, and if I notice anything weird, I notify my bank immediately. Some would call us paranoid, but this blog post demonstrates that you really CAN'T be too careful these days!
Jennifer Moore
JenniferLynn Productions, LLC
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Comment by Deborah Thompson on May 19, 2009 at 4:38pm -
Michael,
This weekend, I learned in Advanced Product Training the Identity Theft Shield Gold is the Plan to go with the Legan Plan. IDT Shield Gold is monitored by all three credit bureaus vs the regular IDT Sheild, which only deals with Experian. With IDT Shield Gold, you get more notifications regarding the five (5) areas of identity theft.
As you know, business owners should use one of our many business plans available combined with the IDT Shield Gold for adequate coverage.
And, yes with new information, I will be upgrading to the Gold.
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Comment by Toni Deaver on May 19, 2009 at 1:36am - I have prepaidlegal, and Kroll International on my side.
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Comment by Tamara Roe on May 18, 2009 at 6:02pm -
This is a subject that's alive and going! I too trust God, however, I do have a couple of friends that are not even on the computer that much that had to deal with identify theft, so it doesn't just happen via computer. I believe both of them were at the hospital waiting rooms on different days, and they believe someone got ahold of their SSN's there, because then all of their credit cards, store credit cards and new store credit cards were affected....definitely something to be aware of....and then we need to take as much precaution as we can....
Tamara
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Comment by Richard Zdanis on May 18, 2009 at 1:17pm - All great information. I have enough to worry about, much less, if I had to deal with identity theft. Several years ago, it happened to someone close to me...and it was a nightmare. Most of us have life insurance, homeowners, etc....but do we protect the thing most important?...our identity? Although money is tight, it's worth the few dollars to protect yourself from an increasing chance of this. Thanks!
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Comment by James Bryant on May 17, 2009 at 4:18pm - Good info!! I'm very cautious when it comes to providing information online and phone. In addition, I in alot of cases use a PO Box for mail to limit a persons access to my home address!
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Comment by Robert Sloan on May 16, 2009 at 9:13pm -
These risks are all nasty ones, and it can take a lot to recover from identity theft. The best thing to do is contact everyone and especially creditors immediately, so that charges can be reversed and items dropped from your cards. Sometimes that can work.
Of course it also helps not to use credit cards because then you're less likely to attract them in the first place. I'm sure that my relative poverty may actually be something that's protected me. That and not working for companies that keep my info on file and not shopping that many different places.
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Comment by Walter Williamson on May 16, 2009 at 8:28am - Last Friday I received two messages from my bank alert that charges had came in over the amount of my alert setting. The charges were at a company I had never purchased from. When I started tracing the transactions I found that the orders had been placed by someone at one of my wholesale vendors. The company where the orders were placed was aware of the phishing as they had also received orders from someone using other stolen credit card numbers and they were holding shipments. These stolen numbers and orders had many factors in common. They have initiated legal steps along with my participation as needed. By catching the fraudulent charges early it appears that my losses will be minimal.
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Comment by Dr. Erica Goodstone on May 15, 2009 at 11:02pm - Scary information. I have Privacy Guard for my credit cards, but not sure how to keep my online business safe.
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