What is Identity Theft?

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is were a thief steals private information the use for their own purposes. Examples of things they might steal are passwords, IDs, etc. Victims of identity theft lose money (potentially thousands or even their life savings), time, and their identity. Identity culprits strike tentatively. In other words, they may attack you when you least expect it. They can act like legitimate company to trick you into giving them your valuable information or they may steal your wallet in person. Another way thieves may phish* gullible people. This way of tricking people into giving culprits information is one of the most deadliest of tricks if people aren't cautious. Regardless, thieves of identity theft find creative ways to steal information, and anyone is vulnerable. 


*When someone pretends to be someone else or something else to trick people into giving them private information. For example, they may act as a trusted friend to a respected company to fool people into giving them passwords or other valuables.

What Should I do? I'm a victim!

Identity Theft Victims

If you're a victim of identity theft, this article is for you. Sometimes, you may notice that you've been a victim when it's too late. For example, you might notice when it's time to pay taxes, bills, etc. If that's happened to you, then you have the rights to:

-Make a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Identity Theft Report

-Set up a deceit alert on your credit car that last for seven years

-Request copies of your credit report for free

-Get corrupt accounts eliminated from your credit report

-Prevent debt collectors or creditors from announcing illicit accounts

-Prevent debt collectors or creditors from contacting you

Remember: if you know that you have a fraudulent account, you have the right to place a free freeze on credit reports until the situation is resolved. If you have a credit card that has been stolen, tell creditors that money spent on the credit card that was used by an identity thief. You must prove to them that the money spent was not spent by you. 

Works Cited

Federal Trade Commission. "Know Your Rights." Federal Trade Commission, https://www.identitytheft.gov/know-your-rights.

How to Avoid being a Victim ~ Phone Calls

How to Avoid being a Victim

First of all, it really starts with using your best judgement and feeling what is legitimate and what isn't. You can use your judgement to see what is safe and what isn't. For instance, if you receive a call saying that you have to pay them $100,000 immediately or else you'll lose your house, then it's obviously a scam for several reasons. First of all, you would receive a notice well in advance of eviction notice or that the bank is taking away your house due to debt not being paid, etc. Second of all, determine who's calling you. If it was from, let's say, a ice cream store. Then obviously you're caller's a scammer. If the number is unknown, hang up and look up the number. Don't call the one they may give. However, be sure to be careful with what you look up. For example, scammers may take the old phone number of a well known company. Be cautious when you receive a phone call from an unknown number. 

How to Avoid Identity Theft ~ Real Life Situations

How to Avoid Identity Theft

If you were taking a midnight stroll and you came upon two paths, would you rather go along a) a brightly lit path with people b) a brightly lit path with no signs of life. You'll probably choose a) right? Well, signs of people isn't always a good thing, for they may be criminals. This is were you have to observe your situation and think for yourself. Do these people look suspicious? Are they armed with weapons? How do they act? These are all questions you should think about. Whenever you see something unusual, make sure to try to keep a distance and avoid contact. Always make sure that you're in the safest position and away from danger when your in public. 

How to Avoid being a Victim ~ Notifications/Alerts

How to Avoid being a Victim

If you receive a suspicious notification or alert, be vigilant. These notifications may tell you anything from winning $1M gift cards or about paying $100,000 to someone within 12 hours. The odds that it's a scam is 100%. Don't trust everything you see or read. Sometimes, there may be a logo of a well known company or organization to make the alert look more legit. However, pay close attention to the details.  They may change the spelling of the name of the company or the details of the logo. You may notice to differences between the fake and the actual thing.

Can you spot the difference? (Perhaps the spelling?) Finding flaws in suspicious logos won't be as easy to as this example, but you may be able to find them with an eagle's eye.