Are you safe from credit fraud on the Net?

Identity theft is a rapidly growing problem. It affects one in every fifty people each year. Before the Internet, thieves usually found out one's personal information by either going through their trash or finding pay stubs. (2) However in this new age with tons of Internet technology, it is becoming easier for thieves to find out someone's personal information without even leaving their house. (1) It is important that everyone is careful with hard copies, as well as electronic copies, of their personal information. All an identity thief needs is a person's name, address, and social security number to take an identity. Once they have these they can apply for credit cards and loans, and the victim may not know until it is too late. (2) Some Websites, such as the one for the Department of Motor Vehicles, has been criticized for allowing easy access to people personal information, such as social security number. A customer should always explore a Website for its security capabilities to be ensured that their information can not be easily view by a third party. When a person makes a business transaction on the Web, they must make sure the site is secure, for this reason. Also, it is important for owner's online businesses to make sure that their sites are secure and that they limit and know the staff that has access to their customer's information. (1)

 

To protect one's self from these dangers, it is important to keep up with all credit information. A person may call the major credit bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, to obtain a credit report and to place an alert on their credit accounts if they have been a victim of fraud. Also, if one has become a victim of credit or identity fraud, they must call their banks, credit card companies, and authorities where they live and where the cards were used to report the fraudulent activity to prevent it from happening again. Another new measure to help in the fight against credit fraud are credit cards with photo ID attached and credit card accounts with passwords to be said or entered before any transaction. Along with all these ways to protect oneself, an ID Theft Affidavit has been issued by the Federal Trade Commission and it is available through their Web site, www.consumer.gov/idtheft/. The major credit bureaus listed above will recognize this and it will help further ensure identity and credit protection. (1) It is important to remember that once someone has obtained a person's name, address, and social security number, it is possible for them to commit fraud long into the future, so constant checking of credit may be necessary.

 

Another new measure to help in the fight against credit fraud are credit cards with photo ID attached and credit card accounts with paawords to be said or entered before any transaction. Along with all of these ways to protect oneself, an ID Theft Affidavit has been issued by the Federal Trade Commission and it is available throught their Website, www.consumer.gov/idtheft/. The major credit bureaus listed above will recognize this and it will help further ensure identity and credit protection. (1) It is important to remember that once someone has obtained a person's name, address, and social security number, it is possible for them to commit fraud long into the future, so constant checking of one's credit may be necessary.

 

Notes:

(1) Cannon, Robert. (2001, June). Who Has Your Identity? Boardwatch Magazine. [Online], v15, p44. Available: Infotrac General Reference Gold [2002, Sept 14].

(2) Myer, Michele. (2002, July). Identity Theft: what to do if it happens to you. Good Housekeeping. [Online], v235, p185-187. Available: Infotrac General Reference Gold [2002, Sept 14].

 

FIVE NON-INTERNET RESOURCES:

U.S. Senate. Subcommittee on Technology of the Committee on the Judiciary Hearings, 12 July 2000. "Identity theft:how to protect your good name." Washington: Government Printing Office, 2000 (Y 4.J 89/2:S.HRG.106-902).

(2002, Sept.). "Protecting yourself in Cyberspace: is there a safe way to buy on-line?" Money Digest. [Online], v17, p14-15. Available: Infotrac General Reference Gold [2002, Sept 14].

Lyon, Alexander. (2002, May 20). "Identity theft harms customers and business alike: workplace technologies grant easy access to information." San Diego Business Journal. [Online], v23, p20-22, Available: Infotrac General Reference Gold [2002, Sept 14].

Hoffman, Karen Epper. (2002, April). "Identity Thieves Thriving: Consumers are in more danger now than ever." Banking Technologies News. [Online], p1. Available: Infotrac General Reference Gold [2002, Sept 14].

Lucas, Peter. (2002, Aug.). "Fighting Fraud at the Front-End." Collections and Credit Risk. [Online], p50. Available: Infotrac General Reference Gold [2002, Sept 14].

FIVE WEB RESOURCES

Title of Web page: Identity Theft: Cases and Scams.

Web Address: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/index.html

Brief description: This website, set up by the Federal Trade Commission, Provides information from the Government, such as law enforceenforcement updates and news reports, that can help a person protect themselves from identity theft. It tells what thieves need to steal an identity and what they can do once they have it. The Web site also features: tips on ID theft prevention, things to do if one is a victim, a list of Federal and State cases and scams, and allows a person to file a complaint if necessary.

Source of Website: Federal Trade Commission

 

Title of Web page: Identity Theft and Fraud

Web Address: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/

Brief description: This website is very user friendly; all subject headings are clearly labeled on this page. Some features include: the definition of fraud, how criminals commit fraud, tells what the Department of Justice is doing to fight it, tells how to avoid it and what to do if one becomes a victim. The site also includes other helpful government sites for assistance.

Source of Website: Department of Justice

 

Title of Web page: Identity Theft Resources

Web Address: http://www.privacyrights.org/

Brief description: As most others, this ID theft website includes a resources center. However, this site is different because it includes victim stories and a victim hotline. The site also includes a very useful fact sheet list which helps victims decide on what they should do in certain situations, like “Should I get a new social security number?”

Source of Website: Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

 

Title of Web page: Is Your Identity Safe? Engaging Solutions for identity protection.

Web Address: http://www.identityfraud.com/

Brief description: This site offers an extensive list of things to do to protect against fraud and detect it or if one becomes a victim of credit or identity fraud, and, also, list the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Transunion), as well as how to get in contact with them and how they can help you. A membership can be purchased though this Web site, which features victim support, 24 hour call center support, and other products and services to prevent ID fraud and to help get one's identity back.

Source of Website: Identity Fraud, Inc.

 

Title of Web page: Free credit report on-line: How to check your credit.

Web Address: http://www.ez-creditreport.com/

Brief description: This site focuses on helping victims and other who want protection against credit fraud check their credit rating. The site includes other helpful links, such as the three major credit bureaus.

Source of Website: ez-creditreport.com