Credit Monitoring Articles
It may seem odd on the surface in this day and age of identity thefts, but Visa has decided to create a program called No Signature Required. The program will be offered to 800 different types of retailers and is limited to transactions under $25. The types of retailers included on the list are hair salons and sporting goods stores.
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A mere 10-15 years ago, having an online identity meant you were on the fast track socially or professionally.
Today, not blogging or networking is the exception.
Just how broad an internet presence do you need? And if you're in the slow lane, how can you catch up without compromising your privacy or safety? We'll explore what having and maintaining an online identity means...and what can actually happen if you don't keep up with web networking.
Getting to Know You...Even if You Are You
It may surprise you to know that whether or not you blog, belong to a network site like Facebook or ...
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Last year, networking site Facebook launched its then-new public search listings feature. The idea was to allow non-Facebook users to view profiles.
But researchers at England's University of Cambridge say the feature could make it easier than ever to target individuals for ID theft.
In a recently published paper, the UK-based researchers showed how they had developed a software tool to target Facebook users in ways you might never think of...but which could put the individual's online safety in jeopardy.
Even Limited Information May Reveal Too Much
Joseph Bonneau, Jonathan Anderson, Ross Anderson and Frank ...
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With all the dire news on increasing identity theft, we have something good to relate: an ID thief recently tried to sell his stolen goods...and got caught in the act.
The Tennessean reported last week that Nashville resident Steven Gilmore was arrested when he attempted to sell a flash drive—a portable storage device—to an undercover agent. The drive was filled with Social Security and bank account numbers, the Tennessean reported.
Gilmore faces charges of identity theft, aggravated identity theft and access device fraud.
Feds Tracked Gilmore for 16 Months
Gilmore had been under suspicion of illegal activities since December of 2007, when a ...
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You probably already know that identity theft can cause legal issues, not to mention financial loss.
Now, one Indiana resident has found himself not only a victim of an ID breach...but of the consequences of another crime the thief allegedly committed.
In a horror story of ID theft reaching new levels, Jeff Goldsmith of Elkhart was arrested in his own home Feb. 25 for abusing “his” girlfriend's six-year-old child badly enough to put the boy in the hospital.
It took many repetitions of his innocence for the shocked Goldsmith to convince the police to look into the matter further. Because in reality, ...
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A March 2009 report from the Consumer Federation of America has weighed paid-for services v. do-it-yourself identity protection, with revealing results.
Comparing sixteen anti-ID theft services, the CFA report reveals that some may have misstated information during the time period they were studied (Sept. 2008-Feb. 2009) and lists steps that be taken independently, at no cost to the consumer.
At the same time, the report notes the enormity of the problem of identity theft and acknowledges that some services do much more than simple credit monitoring, making them a good choice for some consumers.
Let's take a closer look at what credit ...
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If only he'd requested annual copies of his credit report and gone over his accounts with a fine-tooth comb, Jake LeGette may never have become a victim of identity theft.
And an occasional search on the internet to look for deliberate misuse of overuse of his name wouldn't have hurt, either.
But the thought of taking such standard precautions never crossed LeGette's mind.
And it's not because he's irresponsible or forgetful. It's because Jake LeGette is only 11 years old.
Shocking News
When the enterprising Miami, FL preteen attempted to open a bank account as a depository for his chore earnings, he was surprised to ...
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You may think you're keeping yourself from harm's reach by trashing SPAM and watching your bank account.
But identity theft experts say ID defrauders are smarter than ever about getting what they want—even from savvy citizens.
Find out the steps identity thieves take to steal information...and your best defense against each one.
ID Thieves Know Their Target
Today's “evolved” techno-thief has studied his target and knows exactly what to do to finagle information from a very targeted victim (for example, baby boomers, recent college graduates or single parents). The days of red-eyed hackers weeding through thousands of pieces of data in cyberspace seem to ...
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Almost three quarters of identity theft victims can't pinpoint the source of the crime, says a survey recently released by the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC).
The information was compiled from the input of over 1500 ID theft victims. The survey results were released on Business Wire yesterday.
ITAC representatives said that victims who did know the source cited such examples as a lost or stolen wallet, theft by a friend or relative, computer-related crimes or data breaches, including those by employees.
Of known ID theft sources, friends, relatives and employees topped the list, at 26.5%.
Crimes are Becoming More Targeted
Criminals are honing their ...
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Identity theft can easily lead to credit discrepancies and legal issues.
But respondents to a Nationwide Insurance survey said today's difficult economy is making financial recovery following ID theft much harder than in the past.
Though credit card fraud is often reimbursed following an investigation, debit card theft may not always be, and loan fraud can involve legal fees beyond the victim's means, the survey said.
With salary freezes, layoffs and fewer bonuses, an identity theft victim may be left without the resources to fight thefts made in his name. And this is on top of losses already incurred by the theft ...
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