2.
Identity theft is a form of stealing
someone's identity in which someone
pretends to be someone else by assuming
that person's identity, usually as a method
to gain access to resources or obtain credit
and other benefits in that person's name.
3.
4. Mail from banks, institutions, and
even new credit card offers contain valuable
personal information which identity
thieves can use to drain accounts and open
new credit cards in your name. They get the
information by stealing mail right out of
your mailbox, or as in the case of dumpster
diving, out of the trash after it has been
thrown out.
5. If you've ever received an email
from a "bank" or other financial institution
asking for account information, thieves
could have been phishing for your identity.
(The word is derived from "fishing,"
because the emails are like bait.) Clicking
on their link will send you to a site that
looks the same as the actual institution, but
actually belongs to the thief.
6. A combination of the words "voice"
and "phishing", vishing is like phishing,
except the thieves use the phone instead of
email. They may leave a message
pretending to be your bank or some other
company. When you call back, they'll take
your personal information.
7. Thieves have started seeking
treatment using another person's name and
medical insurance information. They can
get it by stealing your wallet or hacking into
a doctor's or hospital's computer system.
8. Spyware is a malicious computer
program that installs itself on your PC and
then allows thieves to record your personal
information - like a credit card number,
password, or Social Security number.
9. Skimming is a way for a thief to get
your ATM or credit card information by
installing their own card reader on an ATM
machine. When you pass your card through
the skimming device, it records your card
information.
10. Thieves can gain access to this
information by hacking into the network,
by posing as a business partner, or after an
employee loses a computer, disk or box of
files.
11. Identity thieves are using social
networking sites to find out your personal
information. They use the information they
find on the site to pretend to be someone
they're not and coax other information out
of you - like your Social Security number.
12. The thief acquires a child's personal
information, then creates fraudulent
accounts in their name. But because
children usually don't have financial
accounts until they are older, no one may
find out about the theft for many years,
allowing the problems to be greatly
compounded.
13. Thieves are experts at duplicating
legitimate online storefronts. Before you
know it, you’ve completed your transaction
and inadvertently handed over the personal
information they need to commit fraud.
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12.
Pervasive telephone scams
Phishing
False promises of “free money” from inflated
refunds
Return preparer fraud
Hiding income offshore
Impersonation of charitable organizations
False income, expenses, or exemptions
Frivolous arguments
Falsely claiming zero wages
Abusive tax structures
Misuse of trusts
16.
The Kansas Department of Revenue's Office of Special
Investigation arrested five individuals Thursday in the
Wichita area suspected of crimes relating to driver's
license fraud and identity card fraud.
▪ Reggie Conner, 46,
▪ Manuel De Jesus Aguero-Herrera, 28,
▪ Gladys Melissa Morales-Salome, 25,
▪ Federico Ibarra, 21,
▪ Arturo Ibarra, 21,
17.
18.
If you receive an unsolicited email or phone call from
what appears to be your bank or building society asking
for your security details, never reveal your full password,
login details or account numbers.
Do not give out personal information on the phone, fax
or on social media platforms
Use privacy settings to manage the information you
share and with whom you share it. Be selective about
what you post and accepting friends.
Never give personal or account details to anyone who
contacts you unexpectedly. Be suspicious even if they
claim to be from your bank or the police.
Keep your personal documents in a safe place,
preferably in a lockable drawer or cabinet at home.
Consider storing valuable financial documents such as
share certificates with your bank.
19.
20.
Act quickly – you mustn’t ignore the
problem. Even though you didn’t order
those goods or open that bank account, the
bad debts will end up under your name and
address.
You should report all lost or stolen
documents – such as passports, driving
licences, plastic cards, cheque books.
