Persecuted by Identity Theft

When a person becomes victim of identity theft, they are often persecuted throughout the battle to restore their lives. Identity theft predators are lurking the World Wide Web daily searching for information to steal and these predators will go as far as setting up equipment in their home to hear phone conversations, as well as standing over a person while they type in their PIN name at ATM machines or stores.

Identity thieves do not care that the cost of the crime is placed on the victims head. Identity thieves think of them self when stealing and will go to all lengths to steal information. Cordless phones and cell phones are vulnerable, since with the right scanner installed a person can listen into phone calls in a local area. When a person goes to the ATM or stores to make a purchase thieves will stand over your shoulder watching you as you provide you PIN number to a machine.

Hackers and crackers frequent the World Wide Web, studying the Internet while they following tracks left behind when a person searches web pages. Thieves will study new technology to find leaks in the system to locate information in which they can use to open new accounts, use up credit cards, apply for credit cards, commit additional crimes, lease apartments, and apply for credit and so forth.

Victims' of identity theft have discovered that they were being sued for failure to uphold a lease agreement, or for debts that they did not authorize. Victims' have been accused of crimes they did not commit, and have found them self in bankruptcy when they have never been to court. Victims' have been issued bank drafts when they had sufficient funds in their banking account.

Thieves will drain accounts, file bankruptcy, buy new cars, mortgage a home, or lease an apartment in the victim's name, and when the thief feels nervous, the thief will move on without caring about the damage he or she does to the victim. When delinquencies or judges incur from the thief's actions, thus the victim is the target for persecution.

If you suspect that your identity is stolen it is important to report the crime to the local authorities immediately, or in the area where you suspect your identity was stolen. You will also need to report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and request reports of your credit files. You will also need to alert the credit bureaus that your identity has been stolen. Few states will permit a FREEZE on your accounts, while other states only permit Fraud Alerts. Thus, the states that offer FREEZE should be considered, since if you can get a freeze on your accounts it will prevent the thief from taking further advantage of you. A Fraud Alert merely causes the victim further persecution, since creditors and employers can view the files and will often assume that the alert is risky on the behalf of the victim, thus will often reject the applicant. The FREEZE on your account enables you to choose when to temporary remove a PIN number to permit viewing.

Next, you will need to close all accounts, including bank accounts, credit card accounts and other accounts. If you have pending mortgages and car loans, notify the company and let them know that your identity was stolen. You should also notify your utility providers and phone providers to alert them that your identity was stolen.

After opening new accounts, make sure that you change the PIN and Passwords randomly to prevent the thief from gaining access to your accounts. If the thief has your social security number and driver license number, notify the Secretary of State and Social Security Administration to alert them, and then consider storing your money at home temporarily, since if the thief has this information he can gain access to your new accounts.

Finally, if you become a victim of identity theft continue to monitor all aspects of your life cautiously, and remember you are the victim, thus those persecuting you are the ignorant that have not endured such crime as of yet.

Tony Robinson is an International Author, Webmaster and Security Guru. Check out his Identity Theft Protection Tips at http://www.officialidentitytheft.com/

Victimized by Identity Theft

When a person is victimized by identity theft the person becomes a lifetime victim, simply put because regardless of how many times the law tells you they are working to resolve the problem, they are lying. As a victim of identity theft when I reported the second offense against me, the police ask few questions and gave me a report number with no other action behind it. I contacted the Federal Trade Commissions, reported the crime, and have heard nothing and to date (since 2000) the perpetrator is still active.

Once I contacted the credit bureaus they did nothing to remove the charges against me, rather they merely placed a resolved or other related comment behind the debt. Other people have suffered far more severe attacks on their life, including summoned to court for debts they never could have made. The people lived in one area of the world, while the perpetrator was acting in another area. It is pathetic that we as the victims must suffer the loss of our lives while few are taking the stand to stop the crimes.

In most instances of identity, theft if a company is not involved and reports the crime a single individual's will fall into the large group of people in society without receiving help from anyone. Often victims' of identity theft are denied credit and find it difficult to survive once the credit reports are affected. Some states permit freezing of the credit reports, which should be permitted in all states, since it denies anyone the right to review the credit reports, except the person that has the right ownership. Most states allow Fraud Alerts up to three months and sometimes permanently, however this only makes the victim look bad since nothing is removed from the reports.

Thus, identity theft is ongoing and it is up to us to protect our self from theft. It is difficult since technology advancements have proven to make it easier for thieves to gain access to nearly anyone's identity. The government has high-tech developments that protect their databases; however, identity thefts have proven that even this level of technology will not stop them.

New credit cards are developed that have chips in them that is supposedly sophisticated enough to prevent or slow theft, however thieves are far more advanced in most instances and accepts the challenge going above and beyond the chips. The World Wide Web is the single more convenient area where identity thieves frequent and often they use programs designed that are suppose to ward off hackers, crackers, spies and other harmful critters, however, the development has only made it convenient for the thieves to get in the doors to thousands of computers. Again, in 2004, more than eleven million people alone became victims of identity theft, and the majority of crimes committed were done abroad the Internet.

Some cases of identity theft report turned out to be neighbors, friends, and even family members. One case reported came from England when a couple moved to the states and when they left they learned that their identity was robbed of them, which led them to pain and suffering for years. The couple unfortunately received little if any help and were sent summons to appear in court for debts they did not initiate. Creditors and financial lenders often think of identity theft as an escape goat for people to get out of debt, and the victim is left standing even if there is concrete evidence showing that the person did not authorize the debts.

This leaves us all in a shamble; since we have to do everything, we can to avoid identity theft. If it was up to me, I'd say get rid of the credit cards and other materials that have potential links to thieves, however nowadays if you do not have a credit card you are basically considered an outcast. We live in a stereotyped, uncultured world where too many judges and assumers control the environment, thus think like a criminal and protect your self from everyone, including creditors, cops, lawyers, government officials and so forth to win the horrific increasing rates of identity theft victims.

Tony Robinson is an International Author, Webmaster and Security Guru. Check out his Identity Theft Protection Tips at http://www.officialidentitytheft.com/

Identity Theft and Your Online Job Search

While identity theft is nothing new, the Web has opened up whole new world of opportunity for identity thieves.According the FBI, identity theft is the top online fraud. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is its number one source

While identity theft is nothing new, the Web has opened up whole new world of opportunity for identity thieves.

According the FBI, identity theft is the top online fraud. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is it's number one source of consumer complaints - 42 percent of all complaints, in 2001.

The thief will use your personal information to open credit card accounts, cell phone accounts, open bank accounts in your name and write bad checks-leaving the victim with the bills and ruined credit ratings. Identity thieves may pose as representatives of banks, Internet service providers and even government agencies to get you to reveal your Social Security number, mother's maiden name, financial account numbers and identifying information.

In a recent article, MSNBC reported the case of a man who fell victim to a fraudulent job listing that was posted at Monster.com. According to the article: "It was just the job lead Jim needed: a marketing manager position with Arthur Gallagher, a leading international insurance broker. And only days after Jim responded to the job posting on Monster.com, a human resources director sent along a promising e-mail. We're interested in you, the note said. The salary is negotiable, the clients big. In fact, the clients are so valuable and sensitive that you'll have to submit to a background check as part of the interview process. Eager for work, Jim complied- and sent off just about every key to his digital identity, including his age, height, weight, Social Security number, bank account numbers, even his mother's maiden name."

Jim spent the day canceling his credit cards, checking his balances and contacting the credit bureaus, but he's concerned that his information is now "out there".

There are warning signs that can tip you off to fraudulent job listings. While these items don't necessarily mean that the listing is a scam, they are indications that you should do further checking.

Incorrect grammar and spelling errors Phone or fax number area codes don't match the address given Unrealistic salary

Online job databases are not the only places that identity thieves cruise for personal information. In recent indictments across the U.S., individuals have been charged with obtaining and using personal information through various ways. In Miami, two individuals were indicted for illegally tapping the computer networks of restaurants using the cover of a dummy corporation. A clerical worker at the New York State Insurance Fund pilfered office files and used stolen identities (of people across the country as well as fellow office workers) to obtain goods and services. A phlebotomist at Kaiser Permanente admitted to using the personal information of patients and employees in order to open credit card accounts in various names.

Recently, an FTC investigation into a work-at-home scheme spawned an incredible "scam-within-a-scam" when a man pretending to be an FTC employee emailed hundreds of the scam's victims. He requested personal information stating that it was to be used as evidence in the case.

While it's impossible to completely eliminate the chances of becoming a victim, you can minimize the risk by putting the following to practice:

If a would-be employer asks you for any personal information you should ask them for their contact information and then separately look up the company's information and contact them to verify that they actually exist. While it's not unusual for an employer to ask for certain work-related information (like your work history and former employers), it is not appropriate for them to ask for personal information (like a social security number) unless you are actually being hired (and you've checked them out to make sure they're legitimate). Even then, you should never be asked for financial information such as a credit card number. On online resumes, never include your social security number and keep even your work history brief. Check your credit card statements often. Believe it or not, many people never even check them! Be sure to follow up with creditors if your bill doesn't arrive on time. A missing credit card bill may mean that an identity thief has changed your billing address to cover their tracks. Order your credit report from one of the major credit bureaus each year and verify that everything is correct.

What to do if you've been a victim of identity theft:

The FTC maintains Consumer Sentinels Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, the nations repository for identity theft complaints. The FTC established the Identity Theft Toll-Free Hotline, 1.877.IDTHEFT (1.877.438.4338) and the ID Theft Website (www.consumer.gov/idtheft) to give identity theft victims a central place to report their problems and receive helpful information.

The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). You can use their online system to file a complaint.
Sharon Davis is the owner of 2Work-At-Home.Com and the Editor of the site's monthly ezine, America's Home. In her spare time she reminisces about what it was like to have spare time. To subscribe to her free ezine, Click Here

Sharon Davis, Work-At-Home expert, author and consultant, helps people to achieve their goal of working at home, telecommuting or starting a home business. http://www.2Work-At-Home.com List of other articles of interest: http://www.2work-at-home.com/freecontent.shtml Subscribe to her free ezine: http://www.2work-at-home.com/subscribe.shtml