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by Frank W. Abagnale
Stealing Your Life is more frightening than a gory murder mystery. Any one of us, from cradle to grave, is vulnerable to a swindle that can wreck us emotionally, cost us serious money, ruin our credit ratings, and take us years to straighten out. Identity theft is here to stay, and as long as legislators, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and individuals fail to take it seriously, the number of victims will continue to climb.
For thirty-two years, the author has been a law-abiding citizen; his criminal past, famously recounted in the book and film "Catch Me If You Can," is a distant memory. However, he knows how crooks think, and this knowledge has led to a lucrative career as a consultant for the FBI and corporations all over the world in preventing frauds and scams. Abagnale is horrified at how easy and tempting identity theft is for the budding criminal. He calls it "a crook's dream come true."
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Identity Theft and Fraud - How Do I Know I've Been Victimized?
Identity theft and fraud has claimed over nine million victims in America within a recent 12-month period.
Out of this number, most of the victims (85%) discovered they were victimized in a negative manner (they noticed a financial/material loss). Only the remaining minority found out because of proactive action taken by the company or business to detect identity theft and fraud.
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Despite widely publicized news stories, many find out they are victims of identity theft and fraud only when it is too late to do anything about it – other than damage control and trying to clean up a tarnished financial reputation.
Identity Theft and Fraud - 5 Signs That Should Set Off the Alarm
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Following are some things that should alert you that you have been targeted by crafty perpetrators of identity theft and fraud.
1. The monthly statement from your bank shows withdrawals or transfers you can't recall. You may be a victim of bank fraud.
2. Your checkbook is missing some checks. New checkbooks don't arrive in your mail. Recent statistics show illegal use of others' checking accounts as the fastest growing kind of identity theft and fraud.
3. Your bills show strange purchases you never made or you get billing statements for credit accounts or cards you didn't open. A collection agency may even call you to remind you to pay for things you never bought. Out of the total number of cases of credit card identity theft and fraud, 73% of the victims complained that someone else opened a card under their name, while 27% said someone took over their account to make fraudulent purchases.
4. Your billing cycle ends and yet you still haven't gotten your statement. It may have been diverted identity theft and fraud perpetrators to another address. Also watch out for other missing mail you expected to arrive. A thief may be periodically raiding your mailbox.
5. You are unexpectedly rejected for a loan, new credit card, or mortgage. Your credit records indicate debts you don't recall incurring.
A final word of warning: Most perpetrators of identity theft and fraud (68.2%) where the methods were discovered used traditional means to commit the crime. Here are the top methods used by thieves.
These three areas where you're most open to attack should set off alarms by themselves. It would be foolhardy to wait for signs that you're already a victim of identity theft and fraud before you begin to take action.
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Index of Articles about Indentity Theft
What Other Authors say about Indentify Theft
Learning about Identity Theft
by Tony Robinson
Learning about identity theft is one of the most important things you will do in your lifetime, since millions fall victim each year. If you have fallen victim of identity theft, the time to come to blows... Over the past few years, each new identity theft law seeks to protect consumers and businesses from what statistics show to be one of the fastest growing crimes in America today. Know your rights and what... Identity theft is a growing problem in the United States, occurring in small towns and cities alike. Identity theft, as defined by the federal government, refers to the use of another person's identity... Preventing identity theft has been successful, not only because of public vigilance, but also because of government measures. Based on Federal Trade Commission statistics, the growth of identity theft... Each year identity theft is on the increase according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Since 2004, a shocking rate of eleven "million" have fallen victim of identity theft. At the same time, experts... The United States government and consumer organizations have compiled some of the best identity theft resource materials around. Many of them are available as virtual handbooks in PDF format at these three... Credit identity theft can be done in either of two ways: through a credit card or a credit line or account. An identity thief may counterfeit your card, or use your account number at a vendor website,... The first way you can prevent identity theft from happening to you is to recognize just how vulnerable you are to what the FBI says is the fastest growing white-collar crime of the century. You should... Internet identity theft has claimed 2 million adult American victims within a recent 12-month period. Among this number, 70% used the Internet to transact business with their banks or pay bills. More than... The cost of identity theft crimes is ranging in the billions, since everyday someone is robbed of their identity. The FBI, Police Departments around the world, Government and other teams are joining to... If identity theft statistics tell us anything, it's that the more technology advances, the easier it becomes for identity thieves to wreak havoc. In California, for instance, the hotbed for counterfeiting... Getting past identity theft nowadays is next to impossible. The World Wide Web has made it easier for identity thieves to gain access to millions of files by merely tracing tracks. When a person goes onto... |
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