Thieves are always coming up with new ways to commit identity fraud. Stay up-to-date with common tactics to protect your personal information.
Some of the most common and effective methods include:
1. "Phishing" Fraud Scams
You may have received an email with a message from the "System Administrator" telling you to perform some urgent maintenance on your account.
The most common emails take you to fraudulent sites that appear to be those of Citibank, PayPal, eBay, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and America Online (AOL).
If you ever get message like this be very, very, careful and report it to that institution right away.
2. "You've Won a Prize!" Lottery Fraud Scam
If you ever get a phone call and someone tells you that you have the chance to receive a major credit card, a prize, or other valuable item, but they ask you for personal information – such as your Social Security Number, credit card number, driver’s license number, or mother’s maiden name – ask them to send you the information in writing.
If they won't do it, tell them you're not interested and hang up.
If they will, review the application carefully and have your attorney review it before you actually decide to act on it.
3. Nigerian Email Scam
This scam has been used for over ten years and is sent out to victims via letter, e-mail, and fax. It consists of a message stating the sender has a large sum of money, usually around 35 million, and needs help transferring it out of Nigeria, or some other place.
As a reward for your help, the sender promises to pay you a few million dollars.
These emails are constantly being modified. A new one message supposedly comes from a rich Iraqi businessman trying to get 120 million dollars out of the country. Here's a sample:
"We are christian and my father happens to be one of the few rich christian in iraq. One thing we ask from you,on behalf of my mother and sisters, is to please indicate your interest in helping us secure a safe place for the bulk of our fathers funds in the bank over here before the tyrant iraqi government clamp on it.”
4. Auction Fraud (eBay and Yahoo Auctions)
Auction sites have recently been bombarded with phony auctions by sellers who have hacked into real eBay customer accounts.
What happens is the hacker attacks a legit eBay members account and places items for sale in which the hacker does not intend to sell.
If you see that dream car of yours for sale for $300 buy it now, I would seriously try and contact the seller and arrange a physical meeting before sending any money.
5. Credit Repair Fraud Scams
Credit repair scams offer to “fix” your credit by erasing accurate negative information from your credit file so you can qualify for a credit card, auto loan, home mortgage, or a job.
The scam: The scam artists who promote these services can't deliver. Only time, a deliberate effort, and a personal debt repayment plan will improve your credit.
The companies that advertise credit repair services appeal to consumers with poor credit histories.
Be Careful
Ultimately, you're just going to have to be careful when going through your emails and when browsing the net. Of course, not everything is a scam and not everyone is out to get you.
But you can never be too cautious. Identity Theft can cost you thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours to repair.
Some of the most common and effective methods include:
1. "Phishing" Fraud Scams
You may have received an email with a message from the "System Administrator" telling you to perform some urgent maintenance on your account.
The most common emails take you to fraudulent sites that appear to be those of Citibank, PayPal, eBay, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and America Online (AOL).
If you ever get message like this be very, very, careful and report it to that institution right away.
2. "You've Won a Prize!" Lottery Fraud Scam
If you ever get a phone call and someone tells you that you have the chance to receive a major credit card, a prize, or other valuable item, but they ask you for personal information – such as your Social Security Number, credit card number, driver’s license number, or mother’s maiden name – ask them to send you the information in writing.
If they won't do it, tell them you're not interested and hang up.
If they will, review the application carefully and have your attorney review it before you actually decide to act on it.
3. Nigerian Email Scam
This scam has been used for over ten years and is sent out to victims via letter, e-mail, and fax. It consists of a message stating the sender has a large sum of money, usually around 35 million, and needs help transferring it out of Nigeria, or some other place.
As a reward for your help, the sender promises to pay you a few million dollars.
These emails are constantly being modified. A new one message supposedly comes from a rich Iraqi businessman trying to get 120 million dollars out of the country. Here's a sample:
"We are christian and my father happens to be one of the few rich christian in iraq. One thing we ask from you,on behalf of my mother and sisters, is to please indicate your interest in helping us secure a safe place for the bulk of our fathers funds in the bank over here before the tyrant iraqi government clamp on it.”
4. Auction Fraud (eBay and Yahoo Auctions)
Auction sites have recently been bombarded with phony auctions by sellers who have hacked into real eBay customer accounts.
What happens is the hacker attacks a legit eBay members account and places items for sale in which the hacker does not intend to sell.
If you see that dream car of yours for sale for $300 buy it now, I would seriously try and contact the seller and arrange a physical meeting before sending any money.
5. Credit Repair Fraud Scams
Credit repair scams offer to “fix” your credit by erasing accurate negative information from your credit file so you can qualify for a credit card, auto loan, home mortgage, or a job.
The scam: The scam artists who promote these services can't deliver. Only time, a deliberate effort, and a personal debt repayment plan will improve your credit.
The companies that advertise credit repair services appeal to consumers with poor credit histories.
Be Careful
Ultimately, you're just going to have to be careful when going through your emails and when browsing the net. Of course, not everything is a scam and not everyone is out to get you.
But you can never be too cautious. Identity Theft can cost you thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours to repair.
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