Wolf Tracking

David asked:




As the emergence of the Internet continues to explode, it’s difficult to believe that more and more people are turning to it for use in their daily lives. Because of this, new technologies are always being found and new advances are continuously being made to make the Internet even more accessible. One of these advances is the growing popularity of the new identification technology, and this becoming more available to online merchants. This identification technology works to not only provide online merchants with easier ways to collect payments and make their products more accessible, but it also provides online shoppers with faster, easier ways to find and purchase the products they want.

 

Identity management is just one of the advances available to online merchants. Identity management is an term that applies to the understanding and managing of the identitiy of an individual. Simply put, it’s ensuring that the person visiting the website is actually who they say they are and therefore, can access certain information such as past purchase history, or recent purchase history. Online merchants generally incorporate identity management into their website by requiring that users have a login or username with an associated password. Every time the customer visits the site, they must enter this personal information to have access to their information. Identity management can make it safer and more profitable for both the online merchants, and their customers, to conduct business over the web.

 

Age verification is a key elememt of identity management in certain sectors that has allowed browsing, downloading, and shopping online easier for shoppers and merchants. This is particularly so where websites require users to be of a certain age before using their services. Online merchants may ask for personal information such as a driver’s license number or a credit card number to ensure that the customer they are dealing with is of the appropriate age to be using their website. This makes it not only safer for those who are under age, by keeping them from inappropriate material, but these simple measures also make it easier for those customers who are of age to use the site more quickly without worrying every time they visit the website about lengthy age verification processes that take a good deal of time.

 

Tracing debtors is fast becoming an important business need. Debtor tracing technology generally uses a huge database of individual identities and it is this database that merchants can use to track down individuals that still have a balance owing with the company. At a time when the economy is on such a downturn and businesses can’t afford to lose anything, tracing debtors has become one of the most valuable resources to businesses. Debtor tracing software is a tool that any retailer or business can use and it is not only restricted to those that conduct business online.

 

These different solutions for businesses have made it easier than ever for both businesses and consumers to conduct transactions online. They have also made the Internet a safer place for children by the implementation of age verification and have also made it safer for businesses, with the implementation of debtor tracing. It is through these technologies that the Internet is becoming a much less scary place than it once was, when there were huge concerns over such things as minors browsing inappropriate content and credit card numbers being exchanged via the World Wide Web.

 

GiR 2.0 asked:


First off, I am making a comic book that I’m wanting published on the Internet. But the comic’s done on normal printer paper, and it appears too big when I scan it on my HP PSC1400 printer/scanner. How much should I resize my resolution too?
Second, I want a little shading and coloring. However, I am 11 years old not knowing how to buy things off the internet without getting my *** whooped back to me with Identitiy Theft because I bought an expensive Adobe Photoshop Program. So, are there any other color and shading programs I am can try. Ones that are free (would the Paint Program work)?

I’m sending all 20 issues to Drunk Duck…and I tried before, but the pictures were too big. And my comic takes up a whole page of printer paper. So…HOW SMALL SHOULD I GET ITTT?!!!!!!!!!!

Girly Q asked:


sorry computer chip in it so it can track your every movement? Will it be alright when they decide they just want to forget about the card altogether and just start putting the chip directly into people? That’s a sure way to prevent identitiy theft there!

Peggy Pirate asked:


I cancelled my cards but what should I do about my drivers license? I don’t want identitiy theft. Any ideas of what to do?

Michael Potter, J.D. asked:




It’s no secret that Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in North America. Every year, millions of dollars in fraudulent transactions leave victims reeling in debt and financial uncertainty. It can seriously hurt your credit, cost you money, and create a trail of financial devastation and legal liability that may take years to unwind. But the good news is that you can be pro-active in protecting yourself.

It usually happens like this: First an identity thief obtains one or more items of your personal information, such as your social security number or mother’s maiden name or your date of birth, address, etc. Then-without your knowledge-the thief uses that very same information to commit one or more acts of fraud or consumer theft. Since, the identity thief is disguised as you, the trail of legal and financial liability then leads back to you.

Our Own Worst Enemy

Many victims should begin by looking in the mirror. We are often our own worst enemy by default. Sometimes we’re passive instead of proactive in asserting our privacy rights. For example, in a doctor’s office you might enter your private social security number on the new patient information form simply ‘because it’s on the form’. Yet neither the doctor nor the office staff intend to pay you any wages or subtract employment taxes from your earnings. They are there solely to provide medical service. Why should you give up your social security number to people who aren’t entitled to it?

On other occasions you might provide other important or confidential identifying information to strangers that normally you wouldn’t think of giving access to. Though not always, often people who ask for your social security number simply want your number for their own use and benefit – not yours.

There is no one ‘composite’ description of an identity thief. It might be an illegal alien who has entered the country and unlawfully uses your social security number to obtain employment, housing or consumer goods such as furniture or a car. It might be a terrorist who seeks to shield any true identity with the disguise of your name and personal information. The 9/11 terrorists had several pieces of identification in different names and addresses, and they used credit cards to pay for hotels, rental cars and airline reservations.

But not all identity thieves are terrorists. Most are clever and opportunistic thieves who steal identities or create documents based on real persons in order to facilitate lightning quick and often overwhelming financial crimes. Even though most identity thieves are motivated more by financial greed than terrorism, it doesn’t make them any less harmful. The point remains. Those are susceptible and vulnerable to identity theft are the ones who will suffer its financial consequences.

Be Proactive to Prevent Identity Theft

The key to protecting yourself from identity theft in the first place is to minimize the risk of loss due to identity theft before it ever happens. There are a lot of things you can do to be proactive in protecting yourself. In my book, 21st Century Privacy (Mt. Vernon Press) and in my workshops on Asset Protection and Wealth Preservation around the country, I provide a number of practical and very easy-to-follow guidelines for protecting yourself against Identity Theft. Among them:

Start by looking carefully in your wallet or purse. Do you really need to carry everything you have there? Do you need all those identification cards every day? Do you really need to carry your social security number around with you? Probably not – most people have it memorized. Also, you don’t need your birth certificate or passport – except when you have a specific reason to do so. Double check to make sure your social security number isn’t shown on your driver’s license or your health insurance card. When you’re talking to a stranger over the phone, be careful to limit exactly what information you provide them – especially if you didn’t initiate the call. They probably don’t need your date of birth or your mother’s maiden name or the name of your favorite hobby or your dog. Don’t put your address on your keychain. Make it more difficult for a thief to tie you to a specific vehicle or to appear as the owner if they are apprehended later. Keep in a secure place a list of all your credit card numbers, bank accounts and PINS (personal identification numbers) and long-distance calling cards. Don’t use information for passwords or pins that could easily be discovered by thieves – such as the last four digits of your SSN or your birth date or pet’s name. Write ‘Ask for Photo ID’ near the signature line of your credit cards and insist that store clerks and others who receive your credit card ask for your photo identification. Compliment and thank them when they do so. It’s for your own protection. Create passwords not easily detected by taking the first letters of the words from a favorite line of poetry, such as ‘TCJOTM’ for ‘The cow jumped over the moon.’ Protect your computer and financial passwords. Keep them safe and secure. Avoid keeping them in your wallet or purse or Palm Pilot. If those get lost, you are in for some inconvenience to start with, and maybe much worse if you’re not proactive. Get on your state and/or the national ‘Do Not Call’ Registry. It’s easy. Just place a call to 1-888-382-1222 from the telephone number you wish to register. Shred your old tax returns, bank or other account statements, credit applications, and other financially related forms once they’re no longer needed. Get your free annual credit report from each of the consumer credit reporting agencies – and check it for anything that might be suspicious. Be careful when filling out forms online. A lot of identity thieves engage in ‘phishing’ for information by asking you to restate account information over the Internet. Consider changing the way you hold legal title to property, automobiles, investment accounts, etc. Perhaps you should consider moving title to your home into your Living Trust or move the name on your investment accounts over to a Family Limited Partnership that you control.

What To Do If You Become a Victim

If your wallet or purse is lost or stolen, or if your home or auto is burglarized, or if you suddenly find yourself being billed for items you didn’t order, etc. you may have just become an Identity Theft statistic. In that case, don’t panic but you’ll need to take quick action. Here are some immediate steps:

Report the crime to the police immediately. Then get a copy of the police report to verify the crime with your bank, credit card and insurance companies. Distribute copies of the report to protect yourself from fraud. Report the theft to your credit card companies on their toll-free line. The fraud departments of the credit card companies are very good nowadays and can be very helpful in helping you quickly protect yourself from unauthorized access. Call the major consumer credit reporting agencies right away. Report the theft of your credit cards and ask that your accounts be ‘flagged’. Order your credit report on a regular basis to monitor possible fraudulent activity. Notify your banks of the theft. Speak to a representative of their fraud department ask them for their help. They can move your funds immediately to a new account number. Ask that your bank issue you a new secret password that must be used in every future banking transaction. Put stop payments on any outstanding checks if you suspect fraud. If you use an ATM card for banking services, get a new card, account number and password. Do not use the old password. If you have a passport, notify the State Department passport office to be on the lookout for anyone ordering a new passport under your name. Call your telephone, electrical, gas and water utilities. Alert them to the possibility that someone may attempt to open new service using your identification. Also notify your long distance carrier if it is a separate provider from your local phone service company. You may want to change your driver’s license number if someone has been using yours as identification on ‘bad’ checks and credit. When requesting a new number from the Department of Motor Vehicles provide the DMV with a copy of the police report you filed. Notify the federal Postal Inspection Service. They are located in the Federal Building and have one of the best responses to Identity Theft. Also notify the U.S. Secret Service, which also has an excellent service record in response to Identity Theft. You may want to have your Social Security Number changed if your number has become associated with bad checks or fraudulent credit transactions. The Social Security Administration is sometime reluctant to allow the change, so you may need to be insistent and explain why you are taking this action. Provide a copy of the police report and any report you’ve provided with any other agency. If your keys have been stolen, change the locks on your house and car immediately.

Protecting Yourself in the Future

One of the best ways to protect your home, investments, rental properties, business and financial privacy is to use a legal entity – or perhaps more than one.

For example, you might consider establishing a Limited Liability Limited Partnership (‘Triple LP’) to own your investments such as stock in a company, LLC memberships, option trading account, mutual funds, etc. The Triple LP is an effective means of asset protection against lawsuits as well (if established well prior to the lawsuit occurring). With your mutual funds, stock, option trading accounts, LLC memberships and company stock being held inside a Triple LP, you have a ‘lower profile’ in terms of exposure to strangers, and it’s therefore more likely that your personal name is not associated with these valuable holdings.

In the end, you have to take the bull by the horns. You need to research ID Theft websites including those the government makes available. See http://www.idtheft.gov for example. You can be your own worst enemy or your own best ally in protecting yourself from and preventing Identity Theft.

Matthew Rizos asked:




Identity theft is generally a bad thing that happens to good hard-working people. technology makes it easy for thieves to steal your identity. There are several methods used by these thieves to steal your identity. The most common methods include phishing, and credit card offers. If you are not wise to the use identity theft methods, then you may easily become a victim of identity theft. it is for this reason that learning about identity theft is extremely important.

Phishing happens when somebody either context you by phone or e-mail asking for you to verify important information. This may be information that is related to your PayPal, bank account, checking account and so forth. These thieves usually trick people into entering or e-mailing their passwords to them that’s making identity theft a very easy thing. To avoid this kind of identity theft it is a good idea to know that no credit card company or bank will contact you to ask for your passwords or any other important information regarding your account. They will not contact you by phone and they will not contact you by e-mail asking for that kind of information.

A growing trend in the identity theft “industry” is online hacking. Many users do not use the proper technology to protect their computer from viruses or key logging programs. This allows the thief to easily gain access to your information on the computer when you opened up false e-mail or accidentally download something that you should not have downloaded. If you do your banking online or keep files with important information on your computer, with out a firewall protection were some sort of security program then you are opening yourself up for identity theft.

Matthew Keegan asked:




Moments after stepping out of the taxi, Rachel plunged through the entranceway of the hotel lobby eager to put behind what had been a terribly exhausting day. Flight delays due to weather had caused her LAX-MDW-BWI trip to take nearly eleven hours to complete. All she could think of was taking off her shoes to relieve her aching feet and dipping them into soothing, warm bath water.

The line at the front desk was mercifully short. One clerk caught Rachel’s attention and signaled her forward – she gave him her reservation information and then dug out her American Express card for payment. As he stepped away to verify its authenticity Rachel’s eyes surveyed the lobby. “They’ve updated everything since I was last here”, she thought. Her concentration, clouded by fatigue, was now on the mission style tables, chairs, and light fixtures, which had replaced the heavy, wooden furniture previously occupying the lobby. “Here is your card and room key, ma’am,” the clerk interrupted minutes later. Quickly, Rachel stuffed her card back into her wallet, gathered her bags and whisked away to her room.

Rachel was a victim of identity theft that night, but did not know it at the time. Had she kept a watchful eye on what her clerk was doing instead of studying the lobby, she might have noticed him switching cards on her. At the very least, she would have seen that the card handed to her beneath her room key was not her own.

Identity theft is an exploding problem that has increased exponentially in this technological age. Particularly since the early 1990s thieves have been taking advantage of what we would consider every day transactions: writing a check at the grocery store, ordering merchandise via the internet, applying for a credit card, using your cell phone, and more. Each transaction requires you to share personal information: your bank and credit card account numbers; your income, your Social Security Number (SSN); and your name, address, and phone numbers.

An identity thief will lift some piece of your personal information and appropriate it without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft. One of the most common methods is when the identity thief uses your personal information to open a credit card account in your name.

The Federal Trade Commission is the arm of the federal government tasked with overseeing the problem of identity theft. A special hotline number (1-877-IDTHEFT) was created for consumers to call to place your information in a database which is accessible with other law enforcement agencies and private entities, including any companies about which you may complain. Additionally, an ID Theft Affidavit – a form you can use to alert companies where a new account was opened in your name – can be filled out and given to the company. This affidavit is available online to consumers.

Identity thieves can get your personal information in a number of ways:

* They steal wallets and purse containing your i.d. and credit and bank cards.

* They steal your mail, including your bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, telephone calling cards and tax information.

* They complete a “change of address form” to divert your mail to another location.

* They rummage through your trash, or the trash of businesses, for personal data in a practice known as “dumpster diving.”

* They fraudulently obtain your credit report by posing as a landlord, employer or someone else who may have a legitimate need for – and a legal right to – the information.

* They get your business or personnel records at work.

* They find personal information in your home.

* They use personal information you share on the internet.

* They buy your personal information from “inside” sources. For example, an identity thief may pay a store employee for information about you that appears on an application for goods, services or credit.

Identity thieves will then take the personal information they have obtained about you and use it in a number of different ways:

* They will call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, ask to change the mailing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, it may take some time before you realize that there is a problem.

* They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth and SSN. When they sue the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.

* They establish phone or wireless service in your name.

* They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.

* They file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they have incurred under your name, or to avoid eviction.

* They counterfeit checks or debits cards, and drain your bank account.

* They buy cars by taking out auto loans in your name.

Fortunately for Rachel, American Express covered her losses. Although she didn’t find out about the theft until she reached her home in California, American Express suspended her account when a number of suspicious charges appeared and she couldn’t be reached by them to verify the charges. Their fraud department left a message on her phone answering machine instructing her to call them and, when she did, Rachel was notified that someone else was using her card. When she explained that she had the card in her possession, she checked her purse and found a card for someone else instead.

Visa, MasterCard and American Express absorb the cost of fraud as long as they are notified by the consumer [certain restrictions may apply - check with your card issuer for specific details]. Had Rachel used a debit card, the story might have been much different. Unlike a credit card, the debit card takes a direct hit on your bank account, meaning that you will have to absorb the loss.

So, all is well with Rachel, right? Sure, American Express overnighted a new card with a new account number for Rachel to use on her next trip, but the problem could very well have continued – and deepened – had she not taken three more steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission:

First, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Tell them that you are a victim of identity theft. Request that a “fraud alert” be placed in your file, as well as a victim’s statement asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name.

At the same time, order copies of your credit reports from the credit bureaus. Credit bureaus must give you a free copy of your report if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, and you make that request in writing. Review your reports carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts.

Second, contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Creditors can include credit card companies, phone companies and other utilities, and banks and other lenders.

Third, if possible, file a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the police report in case the bank, credit card company or others need proof of the crime. Even if the police are unable to catch the thief, the report can be helpful when dealing with creditors.

In summation, identity theft is a problem that is causing businesses and consumers billions of dollars per year. As a result, higher interest rates and an increase in the cost of goods and services is passed on to consumers. So, do not be a victim – protect yourself from identity theft by remaining alert especially when a third party is handling your personal information.

jane asked:


Although I have already deleted my resume and photo in ESL Board, I certainly believe that a Nigerian scammer has my resume and photo. Would they be able to use this personal information for identitiy theft? I have written my personal information in the resume including the address. What are the informations that a scammer should complete inorder to steal an identity?Guys please help.

angel1678als asked:


Ok, get ready for a long story.
Identitiy Theft is known as a person stealing or obtaining information belonging to a person without their consent, am I correct? My girlfriend’s brother initiated an investigation claiming that someone stole his wallet and used his information to sell on ebay and obtain an account from paypal.
First of all, he gave permission to the person who used it to use it and also surrendered information willingly. There was a document verifying the agreement (not notarized, or available), items that were purchased from ebay with the alleged stolen account are in his home, documents from ebay and paypal that were never surrendered or spoken of are also in his home. He also received the phone calls and input the pins to paypal upon account initiation and ebay to verify the account. He just reported the wallet and identification being stolen a few weeks ago but these accounts were initiated over 4 months ago.

Anyone have any input or suggestions on how to proceed with this case as the defendant?

Morris E. Brown asked:




It is no secret that identity theft is on the rise. Walk into any big box office supply store and you will mounds and mounds of paper shredders meant to shred your personal documents and letters making it harder for an identity thieve to obtain your vital personal information. Sure you are safe at home and at the office but what about on the road, on your vacation, travel for work and conventions, and in hotels, bars and restaurants?

To begin with what is “identify theft”? Identity theft is where an “identity thief” commits fraud and indeed other crimes by assuming (or copying) your personal identity. Such information as your name, birth date, address, and social insurance, charge cards, banking account numbers and other information and identification can later be used to impersonate you for the purposes of stealing or acquiring even more money through access to your accounts, opening up accounts in other forms and banking and credit institutions. Amazingly some identity thieves will even seek “gainful” employment under your name and identity. At the end of the you guess who will be asked to pay the income taxes on those earnings? You of course. The amount of time that you will spend explaining yourself and your predicament to the I.R.S. among others will be more than substantial. Often as well many organizations will take an approach of pay up now and “we will (of course) refund your money after proper and full documentation is given”. Lots of luck and lots of fun. The summary is that if you are a victim of identity theft, you could be left with bills, bad credit and the hassle of dealing with financial agencies and police departments to clear your name. In addition dealing with the IRS can come into the picture as well.

What can you do to protect yourself against identity theft when traveling on the road and in distant hotels, bars and restaurants? First of all when you return from your trip always verify charges and bills. Keep receipts for cross referencing. You may want to check your credit statement and charges online ahead of time, rather than waiting for your hard copy bill to arrive by snail mail or email. This way you may catch mistakes ahead of time and nip problems in the “bud”. Add in the logistics of distance factors, time changes, staffing and phone bills and it becomes almost a nightmare. Indeed for some charges you may feel that it is not worth the time effort and costs.

First of all always ensure that after transactions that you have received the correct credit card in return by serving staff personnel and that you have not received other persons by mistake or on purpose. Next ensure that you do not leave personal documents or information just “lying “around your hotel or hotel meeting rooms. Its not a question of hotel staff – who may well be carefully screened and hired for personal honesty and integrity – but rather just “anybody” or ” anyone” who can just be strolling down the hall or indeed be trolling or on the prowl. Similarly computers left on and unprotected are targets as well. It’s not the computer so much now, but rather the data on it that is most valuable. On top of that if the computer is left behind and untouched, a sense of safety, honesty and data integrity is afforded to the victim, who may not know that their vital data, documentation and financial records and passwords have, been sequestered. All it takes is a split second and a run of the mill USB flash memory drive and all over. Shortly your credit card data, passwords or worse may be sold to thieves and emailed anywhere in the world. It’s best to employ some type of password entry to your computers, cell phone and blackberries and as well not leave such information in clear view.

You may think that it should be the responsibility of the hotel and its staff to protect you in such matters. If identity theft occurs to you in this manner you may well think that you can sue the hotel and that the hotel should compensate you for you troubles and more. On top of everything else you may demand an all expense paid trip to Hawaii in the hotel chains 4 star resort. Lots of luck. While it may be true that hotels and the service industry are most concerned about their reputation and maintaining high service levels in their hotels and establishments they can only do so much , and provide a certain level of safety and security. It’s up to you to protect yourself. Imagine the wasted time, energy and cost you can save yourself by being vigilant and proactive when it comes to your own security and protecting yourself from identity theft while traveling on the road – whether it be in hotels and restaurants – either for business travel or for your personal vacations.