In today's newsletter we will discuss and hopefully arm you, your friends, family and neighbors against identity theft.
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. It may have already happened to you personally or someone you know. It is estimated that it will affect almost 10 million people this year and cost consumers several billion dollars.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information, like your name, social security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.
Let's get educated…..
A) WHY THE INCREASE IN CRIME?
*Relatively low-risk crime
*Potentially high payoff
*Easy to pull off
*Enforcement of law is inconsistent
*70% of theft is from co-workers/employees
*Wasn't declared crime by Congress until 1998
*Cases usually too small for federal prosecution
B) HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?
*Steal mail
*Steal wallet or purse
*Phishing- sending fake emails (ex. Paypal and Ebay fakes)
*Shoulder surfing- ATM, grocery store checkout spying
*Lying on the phone- asking you to update account info
*Laptops and Wi-Fi internet access
*Access cell phones w/stored personal account information
*Dumpster rummaging- go through trash for information
*Thieves looking for social security numbers, date of birth, etc.
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