How Do Criminals Steal Your Identity?
Please note it is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, opinion or advice contained in the content below.How Do Criminals Steal Your Identity?
To an identity theft criminal, your personal information can provide instant access to your credit record, financial accounts, or other assets. This Video explains the many ways criminals attempt to steal your information (skimming, dumpster diving, phishing, spyware, etc). Shows in detail ATM skimming machine. Also explains what criminals do with your stolen data.
Skimming” involves using hand held computers to read and store the information encoded on the magnetic strip of an ATM or credit card when it is used legitimately. Once stored, the information can be entered onto any other card with a magnetic strip. This can also be done manually by anyone who has access to your credit card by just coping or memorizing your number when you hand your credit card to a business.
“Phishing” is the act of sending false emails proclaiming that they are from your bank or Ebay or PayPal, and asking you to enter your personal information to clear an alleged “problem”. They can be as elaborate as setting up fake web sites that look just like the real ones
“Dumpster diving” is well known for people going through your curbside garbage or at your place of business to obtain copies of statements, checks, credit card offers, making it easier for thieves to get control over your accounts. With the amount of junk mail you get, you think nothing of just tossing it into the trash, including all those annoying credit card applications and other mail you are through reading.
“Hacking“. With today’s technology, criminals can obtain your personal information without leaving the comfort of their own home. They can purchase your information through online databases, or can get it illegally by hacking into either your computer or into any database that has your information already stored.
“Spyware“. In exchange for free software or services, often times spyware, sometimes known as “cookies”, will be secretly placed into your computer. It may be as innocent as identifying your online surfing and spending habits, sending information to marketers every time you visit a website. Or, if it is a malicious spyware, it can gather personal information or even change your internet settings, causing a loss of your identity or crashing your computer.
Basically, anywhere you have provided information, from the earliest school, to your most recent medical visit, can be a target.
Here is the video on Youtube:
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July 24 2010 12:22 am | Identity Theft
