Identity Theft: Types and Precautions

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your private information without your awareness and consent to commit a fraud. Identity Theft as a crime is on the rise in America. Last year, more than 9.9 million Americans were victimized and the crime cost them approximately $5 billion. It is difficult to lay hands on the culprit because the crime occurs in different ways. It may involve internet fraud, credit card theft, mail theft etc.

The ways identity theft occurs:

There can be thefts like identity cloning (using someone else’s information to take over his or her identity in daily life), financial identity theft ( using another’s social security number or name to receive goods or services), criminal identity theft ( assuming another identity when detained for a crime), and business/commercial identity theft ( using someone’s commercial identity to attain credit). It is difficult to know how, when and who they will victimize. The various techniques that they use can be:

Stealing mails or rummaging through garbage which can be called dumpster diving
Shoulder surfing, wherein the rogues eavesdrop on the victims transactions to acquire personal data
Using Trojan or hacking the victims personal computer
Infiltrating the organisations that store huge amount of personal data
Phishing on the net, i.e. by impersonating reputable organisations in electronic communication
Sending spasm
By fraudulence while earning the victims faith
Passport frauds are common identity thefts

Precautions to take:

It is true that identity theft cannot be avoided at times but it is feasible to take precautions in order to fight the crime. Such frauds can be committed easily due to careless handling of information, the easy availability of SSN. One has to be very careful while giving out their SSN. The following should be kept in mind in order to stand against the crime:

Be cautious of the usage of credit or debit cards. Wherever you are using these cards, you have to keep in mind that anyone can play fraudulent.
Avoid shopping online because internet Phishing is on the rise.
Do not distribute your SSN unnecessarily especially when asked for over the phone or net.
Keep photocopy for all the credit, debit, and ATM cards so that you are aware of the transactions. Keep them in a safe place, not in your wallet, to avoid loss.
Keep checking your credit report once in a year to keep track of the items that are been added to your account.
Safeguard your passwords or PIN. Do not use passwords that have relation to your personal details like name, date or year of birth, mother’s maiden name, and last five digits of your SSN etc.
Close the bank accounts from which the fraud took place.
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

You have to be very careful while handling your personal information. To put an end to any crime you have to know the various dimensions of it and have to be able to fight it. Therefore be vigilant and stay alert to preserve your identity.

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