Zero Identity Theft

Identity Theft Caused Online Brokerage Firms Millions

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 09:49:28 -0800

A new development in the evolving art of identity theft: scam artists can launder money by using your brokerage account to pump up stocks.

The Worst States For Identity Theft

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 20:44:57 -0800

interactive map provided by MSN Money.]]>

Identity Theft Statistics

Sat, 14 Oct 2006 23:26:13 -0800

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft complaints are broken down as follows: - About 50% reported that a credit card was opened in their name - 25% reported that the thief established new telephone, cellular, or another service in their name - 16% reported that a bank account was opened in their name, or unauthorized withdrawals had been made from their account - 9% reported that the thief obtained a loan in their name - 8% reported that the thief obtained a fraudulent document such as a driver's license

What You Should Do If Your Identity Is Stolen

Sat, 07 Oct 2006 15:52:09 -0800

Follow the FTC advice and take action immediately.

How Does Email Phishing Work?

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 06:39:40 -0800

In a typical case, you'll receive an e-mail that appears to come from a reputable company that you recognize and do business with, such as your financial institution. In some cases, the e-mail may appear to come from a government agency, including one of the federal financial institution regulatory agencies. The e-mail will probably warn you of a serious problem that requires your immediate attention. It may use phrases, such as "Immediate attention required," or "Please contact us immediately about your account." The e-mail will then encourage you to click on a button to go to the institution's Web site. In a phishing scam, you could be redirected to a phony Web site that may look exactly like the real thing. Sometimes, in fact, it may be the company's actual Web site. In those cases, a pop-up window will quickly appear for the purpose of harvesting your financial information. In either case, you may be asked to update your account information or to provide information for verification purposes: your Social Security number, your account number, your password, or the information you use to verify your identity when speaking to a real financial institution, such as your mother's maiden name or your place of birth. In either case, you may be asked to update your account information or to provide information for verification purposes: your Social Security number, your account number, your password, or the information you use to verify your identity when speaking to a real financial institution, such as your mother’s maiden name or your place of birth.

How To Protect Yourself Against Phishing?

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 06:39:40 -0800

1. Never provide your personal information in response to an unsolicited request, whether it is over the phone or over the Internet. E-mails and Internet pages created by phishers may look exactly like the real thing. They may even have a fake padlock icon that ordinarily is used to denote a secure site. If you did not initiate the communication, you should not provide any information. 2. If you believe the contact may be legitimate, contact the financial institution yourself. You can find phone numbers and Web sites on the monthly statements you receive from your financial institution, or you can look the company up in a phone book or on the Internet. The key is that you should be the one to initiate the contact, using contact information that you have verified yourself. 3. Never provide your password over the phone or in response to an unsolicited Internet request. A financial institution would never ask you to verify your account information online. Thieves armed with this information and your account number can help themselves to your savings. 4. Review account statements regularly to ensure all charges are correct. If your account statement is late in arriving, call your financial institution to find out why. If your financial institution offers electronic account access, periodically review activity online to catch suspicious activity.

How To Place A Fraud Alert On Your Credit Reports

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 06:39:40 -0800

Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too. Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374- 0241 Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790 Once you place the fraud alert in your file, you're entitled to order free copies of your credit reports, and, if you ask, only the last four digits of your SSN will appear on your credit reports.Once you get your credit reports, review them carefully. Look for inquiries from companies you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your accounts that you can't explain. Check that information, like your SSN, address(es), name or initials, and employers are correct. If you find fraudulent or inaccurate information, get it removed. See Correcting Credit Reports to learn how. Continue to check your credit reports periodically, especially for the first year after you discover the identity theft, to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.

What Are Fraud Alerts?

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 06:39:40 -0800

An initial alert stays on your credit report for at least 90 days. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. An initial alert is appropriate if your wallet has been stolen or if you've been taken in by a "phishing" scam. When you place an initial fraud alert on your credit report, you're entitled to one free credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. An extended alert stays on your credit report for seven years. You can have an extended alert placed on your credit report if you've been a victim of identity theft and you provide the consumer reporting company with an "identity theft report." When you place an extended alert on your credit report, you're entitled to two free credit reports within twelve months from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. In addition, the consumer reporting companies will remove your name from marketing lists for pre-screened credit offers for five years unless you ask them to put your name back on the list before then. To place either of these alerts on your credit report, or to have them removed, you will be required to provide appropriate proof of your identity: that may include your SSN, name, address and other personal information requested by the consumer reporting company. When a business sees the alert on your credit report, they must verify your identity before issuing you credit. As part of this verification process, the business may try to contact you directly. This may cause some delays if you're trying to obtain credit. To compensate for possible delays, you may wish to include a cell phone number, where you can be reached easily, in your alert. Remember to keep all contact information in your alert current.]]>

Biggest Source of Identity Theft

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 20:10:10 -0800

The Commerce Department is a leading contender of the biggest source of identity theft -- it lost 1,137 laptops in the last five years.

Identity Theft Task Force Suggests Less Use Of Social Security Numbers

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 19:57:43 -0800

This is the right move ... I still remember when Cigna was the health insurance provider of my employer. Cigna printed everyone's social security number in the insurance card! I'm glad we later switched to an insurer who has more privacy awareness.

Credit Card Number Breach At Nikon

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 05:37:49 -0800

Nikon is not the first major company that suffers security breach, and certainly will not be the last.

Tips To Protect Yourself Against "Pretexting"

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 09:28:38 -0800

You will probably be of less risk than the unfortunate board member at HP when it comes to be a victim of pretexting, but the following tips may still be valuable to you.

How To Avoid ID Theft On Campus

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 01:08:06 -0800

17 quick tips that you may want to send to your college-age kids as a reminder.

5 Ways to Monitor Your Credit Reports

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 23:34:02 -0800

Bankrate is recommending we consciously monitor our credit reports so we have a lesser chance to be victimized by identity theft. Probably before very soon, everyone of us has to pay a monthly due to credit reporting agencies to have the comfort of mind.

How To Protect Yourself Against "Pretexting"

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 23:25:20 -0800

It might be very hard to stop pretexting since smart con artists can always woo not-so-smart CSRs. For consumers, it is therefore very important that we move our business to privacy-conscious companies. For me, I am now moving away from the practice to shop at the lowest-price online store to save a few bucks. I have better confidence level for Amazon, and I don't mind to pay a few bucks more for the peace of mind.

AOL Customers To Get Insurance Coverage For Identity Theft

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 23:04:16 -0800

In a bid to improve customer confidence and differentiate its flagship subscription service, AOL is giving away free identity theft insurance coverage to its paying members. Will other ISPs follow suit?

What Is "Pretexting?"

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 22:20:54 -0800

With the HP board drama, almost everyone learned the new word "pretexting." Here is how con artists use pretexting to get assess to your identity.

How Can My Identity Be Stolen

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 22:17:20 -0800

Con artists have more than one ways to steal your identity, so be careful!

What Is The Impact Of Identity Theft?

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 22:17:20 -0800

Identity thiefs can monetize stolen identity in many ways and really destory a good part of your life.