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Protect yor ID Blog

5 Types Of Identity Theft?

Posted by Wolf on March 11, 2010 under credit card theft
Bob A Young asked:




Most people think of credit card theft when they think of identity theft. There are actually 5 different kinds of identity theft even more severe then credit card theft:

CREDIT CARD THEFT:

If you give your card at a restaurant or any place where the card is out of your sight, then you run the risk of identity theft. Waiters have been known to get credit card details and sell it to someone else so it cannot be traced back to them. Next time you are in a situation where your credit card is going to be out of sight, try to pay at the register yourself.

DRIVERS LICENSE THEFT:

You get stopped by a cop and next thing you know there is a warrant for your arrest. You wonder how that can be? Somebody stole your driver’s license information and ran up tickets. Never let your driver’s license out of sight or your possession. Be extra-extra careful with your driver’s license.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER THEFT:

This is widespread because people don’t realize that they leave their social security numbers laying around on so many documents. In the old days, it was considered harmless to ask for social security numbers on practically every form. Those days are gone. Now a days a thief can create a whole new identity with your social security number. Do not put your social security numbers on forms unless absolutely necessary. A lot of the old forms ask for social security number. I will give you a classic example. You go to a clinic and the first thing they want you to put down is social security number. There is no reason for it if you have provided insurance information. Your insurance company knows how to identify you. I never fill the social security number till they don’t justify why they need it. So next time don’t just fill out your social security number just because they ask for it on the form. Ask why they need it?

CRIMINAL IDENTITY THEFT:

These days it is common for crooks to commit crimes under false identity. When they get caught they already have their false identification documents in place so the crime goes under your name. Imagine getting pulled into the police station and being interrogated for crimes you did not commit. Most people find it a shocking experience. Try at that time to explain it is not you but somebody else. Get a lawyer or a service that can help with identity restoration. Read more on a website ‘rvats’.

MEDICAL INDENTITY THEFT:

The most serious of them all. You go for a check up and the doctor asks you when you contracted AIDS? You are shocked! Well your report shows that somebody had a HIV test under your name and was positive. You see people who are in that lifestyle, they are not getting tested under their identity. So they latch on to your identity and put it on your medical records. Now it is your job to clean up all the mess!!

There are a lot of products to help with identity theft protection. Most are not very good because they do not address the issue of ‘identity restoration’ because it is very expensive. On the average it takes more than 600 hours to run around various agencies to clear your name. It is very frustrating to say the least. Worst still, it costs on the average over $92,000 to restore your identity. The costs are staggering. Banks only offer identity theft pertaining to your accounts with them. Same with credit cards.

Credit card companies will only fix their own account and that too after a lot of hassle. For all your other accounts and records, (medical, criminal, social security etc) YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN! You can read more at a website ‘rvats’. Don’t be caught unprotected. It is like leaving your house door unlocked. Educate yourself and get the appropriate protection that can actually restore your identity if anything were to happen.

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Identity Protection Services – can someone suggest the best site?

Posted by Wolf on March 11, 2010 under identity protection
winona asked:


It seems that every other article I see is about the hazards of identity theft. I am conscientious about shredding my mail. Identity Protection Services – can someone suggest the best site?

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Where to Buy an Identity Theft Prevention Plan

Posted by Wolf on March 11, 2010 under theft prevention
Tyler Previd asked:




If you are anything like I was last year, you are wondering where to buy an identity theft prevention plan and which one is the best, right? Well, that’s a good question and a very important one. I did my homework after a close friend of mine had their identity stolen as well as thousands and thousands of dollars. After doing diligent research I found a company that I am still using today. Of course you would want a service that:

-Calls you anytime someone is trying to apply for a new credit card or an extension of credit

-Removes your name off of ALL those pre-approved credit card offers and junk mail lists

-Sends you a credit report once a year

These are the normal things you should look for when searching for where to buy identity prevention plans.

The company that I use to protect my identity does all of the above, PLUS they offer me a guarantee of up to a million dollars! In the event that someone actually does steal my identity and I lose money because of it…they simply give it back to me. I really can’t imagine NOT having an identity theft prevention plan now. I would be looking over my shoulder constantly because you never know when your information is being sold or traded on the internet by organized crime websites and other thieves. It’s becoming an increasingly popular crime nowadays with hackers and thieves having easy access to peoples’ critical information. Don’t fall victim to one of these crimes like my friend did. Protect yourself and your family and you’ll never have to go through that extremely stressful situation. I think I pay something like $10 bucks a month to keep my good name. It’s the best $10 a month I’ve ever spent in my opinion.

To answer the question of “where to buy an identity prevention plan” I would like to recommend the company that I use, they are called LifeLock. I give them 5 stars and I don’t think there is another company on the net with the same solid guarantee that they offer.

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Fraud Prevention Tips

Posted by Wolf on March 11, 2010 under identity fraud prevention
Monty Henry asked:




Current areas where mail order, telephone order, and Internet fraud are most prevalent include:

* West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia), Asia (Indonesia, Singapore)

* Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia)

Suspicious Behavior and Unusual Requests

Relay Calls: A relay call is an operator-assisted telephone call, usually used by someone who is hearing impaired. While this is a valid service, criminals are also using the service to place fraudulent orders.

Customers Ordering Large Quantities of the Same or Similar Item:

Customers who provide multiple card numbers for the same purchase, especially when the card numbers are only different by the last few numbers.

Requests for Overnight Delivery, Without Regard to Cost:

Customers who request immediate processing of the order and want the tracking number used for the shipment ASAP.

Customers who place phone orders, requesting immediate processing of the order, and then advising they will have someone come to the store location to pick-up the product.

Requests for delivery to an alternate address, other than the billing address, or shipment to a freight forwarder. (Criminals will use United States based re-shippers to avoid detection of foreign shipments).

Requests for merchandise you do not sell. Most common requests are for cell phones and laptop computers.

Business Communication via a free email service (Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, etc).

NOTE: With today’s technology it is possible to alter a photocopy of a credit card or personal identification such as a driver’s license or passport. Sometimes a fraud order will include a faxed or e-mailed photocopy of the card to gain your trust. These photocopies do not guarantee that you are dealing with the correct cardholder. Always verify the order information with your Authorization center before proceeding with the order.

Four Quick Prevention Steps:

1. Before processing an order obtained via relay call, contact your Voice Authorization Center or place a direct call to the credit card issuer.

2. Verify the cardholder’s address by using the Address Verification System (AVS). Your terminal can be set up for the AVS program, which allows you to include an AVS request with an authorization request. You will receive a result code indicating whether the address given matches the address the issuer has on file for that account.

3. Card Verification Value (CVV2) VISA and Card Validation Code (CVC2) MASTERCARD are verification requests that can be added to most terminals. This system will verify the three-digit code printed on the back of a credit card (or four-digit code printed on the front of an American Express credit card). You will receive either a “match” or “no match” response from the card-issuing bank if CVV2 is provided at the time of the authorization.

4. Authorizations: Get authorization for the full amount of the sale. Do not split a declined transaction into smaller increments to obtain an authorization. If an authorization request is declined, request another form of payment other than a credit card. (Be aware that there are counterfeit check schemes that involve overpayment with a counterfeit check and a request to wire the difference to the overseas customer. This causes a loss of both the merchandise ordered and the money that made up the difference.) An authorization code does not guarantee that a transaction will not be disputed later. An authorization code simply identifies that the amount of credit requested for this particular transaction is available on the card. An authorization code does not protect you in the event of a Chargeback regarding unauthorized transactions or disputes involving the quality or delivery of goods and services.

NOTE: Use of CVV2, CVC2, and AVS can lessen a non face-to-face transaction’s risk of fraud by providing better information on which you can make a better business decision. However, CVV2, CVC2, and AVS do not eliminate Chargebacks, nor absolve the merchant of their liability for Chargebacks associated with processing credit card transactions. For more information about AVS and CVV2, CVC2, contact 1-800-725-1243. If you are an Internet merchant, contact your web provider for additional fraud settings that may be available to you through their service.

Useful Numbers and Websites:

MerchantConnect.com: This site was created by NOVA Merchant Services to provide you with information on your account. On your first visit, you will need to choose a user name and password. You can view statements, Chargebacks, and general information, as well as helpful tips about processing credit cards.

VISA Merchant Verification Service-800-847-2750-AUTOMATED

Option 1, Address Verification: enter in the numeric portion of the street address, zip code, and VISA card number, and it will advise you if there is a match
Option 2, Issuing Bank Phone numbers: enter the VISA card number and it will provide you with the 800# for Issuing banks if available.

MasterCard Assist-800-622-7747

Select your language preference, then Option 2. Enter the MasterCard card number and it will provide you with the 800# for Issuing banks if available.

Discover Address Verification-800-347-7988-AUTOMATED

You will need your Discover Merchant number. Enter the Discover card number and address information, and it will advise you if there is a match.

American Express Address Verifications-800-528-2121

Option 3 allows you to verify the name and address of a particular AMEX card number.

Visa.com:VISA brand information. Includes tips, regulations, news, and fraud features. (Choose option for Merchants/Businesses)

Mastercard.com: MasterCard brand information. Includes tips, regulations, news, and fraud features. (Choose option for Merchants)

United States Postal Service: website, will check to validate an address physically exists. This does not confirm that a person lives at the address, but does confirm the address is real.

Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) The IFCC is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. This site allows victims of Internet fraud to report fraud online to the appropriate law enforcement and regulatory authorities.

FreightForwarders.com: This is a list of freight forwarders, many times international criminals will ship to these addresses and have the order sent on.

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DO Identity protectors like lifelock protect your bank account to incase someone knows your account number?

Posted by Wolf on March 11, 2010 under protect your identity
myersjonathon asked:


and if they dont is there a way to setup a special arrangement with your bank where they call you if anything suspicious is going on?

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Protect Your PC From The Conficker Virus

Posted by Wolf on March 10, 2010 under identity protection
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I lost my social security cards, what should I do to protect myself against Idenity Theft?

Posted by Wolf on March 10, 2010 under idenity theft
Jessy asked:


I lost my entire wallet along with my own social security card and my 6 yr old sons social security card , my drivers license, and credit cards, I already cancelled all of my credit cards, but what should I do now that my social security cards and my drivers license are in someone’s possesion??? Help please! Thanks.

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DETAILED FEATURES OF LAPTOP THEFT RECOVERY

Posted by Wolf on March 10, 2010 under theft prevention
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Stolen Identity: Victims In The Future

Posted by Wolf on March 10, 2010 under idenity theft
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Personal Financial Advice : How to Prevent Identity Theft

Posted by Wolf on March 10, 2010 under identify theft
ehowfinance asked:


Preventing identify theft requires shredding all paper records, keeping credit cards in an RFID-safe wallet, protecting a computer with the proper firewalls and keeping track of all online transfers. Keep a keen eye on all financial records to prevent identify theft withinformation from a registered financial consultant in this free video on personal finance. Expert: Patrick Munro Contact: www.northstarnavigator.com Bio: Patrick Munro is a registered financial consultant (RFC) with outstanding sales volume of progressive financial products and solutions to the senior and boomer marketplace. Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

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