Category Archives: identity theft
How to Dispute items on your credit report
The information contained in your credit report usually deals with your bill payment history, residential history, work history and often legal history. While most of us have rather benign reports, it is important to know that too much of this information (if negative) will have a detrimental effect on you ability to obtain many things [...]
Criminal Identity Theft- I Didn’t Do It
The majority of people try their best to be good, honest citizens. Most of the people who do have a run in with the law are for minor offenses, such as a traffic ticket or parking violation. Unfortunately, there are criminals out there who do become a menace to society and the men and women [...]
A History of Spam: AOL and the Beginning of Phishing
Every type of crime in the world has a history. They all had to begin somewhere and sometime, whether it was a thousand years ago or a decade ago. Phishing, like every other crime, has a beginning. Since modern day internet has only been around for a decade or so, internet-related spam crimes are newer [...]
Identity Theft Schemes: Phishing
What is Phishing? Phishing is a technique that Identity thieves use to obtain personal information, credit card information (see credit protection), and account passwords from people by posing as someone who actually works with the company they’re claiming to be. This will usually take place through email or instant messages. Email phishing schemes are often [...]
Automated Messaging and Spammers
Since they’ve been invented, automated messaging systems have positively affected the general public in many ways on a day to day basis. Many hospitals, clinics, and law offices use automated messaging systems to remind their clients and patients about important upcoming appointments. Schools use these automated messaging systems to get in touch with their student’s [...]
What are Prize Scams and Lottery Scams?
Prize and lottery scams are scamming techniques that are extremely similar to each other. Prize scams usually begin with either an email or an internet webpage pop-up telling you that you’ve won a prize. Often times the pop-up will say “You’re the 1,000,000th visitor to this website! Click here quickly to claim your prize”. Lottery [...]
Identity Theft Schemes: Business Opportunity Scams
What is a Business and Employment Opportunity Scam? A business opportunity scam is when an email, phone call, or letter is sent to you, offering you the chance to start your own business and make lots of money quickly and easily. Usually, these notices will be offering a special start-up kit for you to buy. [...]
Identity Theft Schemes: Credit Card Fraud
What is Credit Card Fraud? Of the many different types of Identity theft, the technique most known about is credit card fraud. The reason that credit card fraud is used by thieves so much is because it lets the person gain access to the cardholder’s account, which could allow for him to buy items over [...]