Brad Mulder: BANKING CRIMES Identity Theft WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT? Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information to use for illegal purposes HOW THE SCAM WORKS There are many ways, such as: Scenario A: Theft Stealing wallets and purses containing ID documents, credit and bank cards; stealing mail, including bank and credit card statements Scenario B: Rummaging through dustbins (dumpster diving) Finding information in homes or offices Scenario C: Intercepting personal information Intercepting personal information shared on theInternet Scenario D: Shoulder surfing Shoulder surfing – the identity thief simply stands next to someone and watches them complete personal information How do they use your information? Huge debts are then run up and left unpaid. Theinnocent victim receives a bad credit listing with credit bureaus. Usually, you only find your identity has been stolen when you legitimately tapply for credit and get turned down. Bank accounts, retail accounts, loans and vehicle finance are obtained with your detail with different mailing addresses. They can also takeover your current accounts by obtaining new cards and pin numbers. DO’S *. Manage your personal information wisely *. Destroy personal financial information by tearing, shredding or burning personal and financial information before throwing it away *. Store personal and financial documentation safely *. Make it difficult for strangers to access your personal or financial information *. Keep PIN number safe *. Pay attention to account cycles DON’TS *. Don’t carry unnecessary information in your wallet or purse *. Don’t disclose personal information when asked to do so by e-mail *. Don’t write down PIN and passwords and avoid obvious choices like birth dates and first names *. What if I have been a victim? *. Report the matter to the South African Police Service *. Also remember to report a stolen ID book immediately, this often paves the way for fraud *. Alert the South African Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS) IMMEDIATELY on 0860 101 248, a unique service committed to combating fraud that offers you a way to protect yourself against impersonation and identity theft Facebook/TrafficPE
Posted on: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 08:00:01 +0000