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Identity theft Happens Predominantly Offline
prostoalex writes "Worried about identity theft online? Relax, say the Feds. You're much more likely to have your identity stolen offline (72% of the cases). In half of all the cases, it's the friendly relatives, neighbors and friends who steal the identity of the victim. Moreover, those watching their financial accounts online lose approximately $551 per incident. The average rockets to $4543 for those relying on paper statements from their banks and credit card companies."
To start stealing IDs online, you guys are WAY behind your quota!
The best purchase you can make is a paper shredder, preferably a cross-cut model. When you get your mail, either shred it, or file it right away.
You're so right! I do that with email too: print them, then shred them thin. No more spam or viruses, nosiree.
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
I worked in retail for awhile, I learned a trick for myself. I write "ASK FOR ID" on the back of all my credit/debit cards. RARELY do i have someone ask to see my identification, no matter where I go. it amazes me how easily it is to get away with small things like this.
Personally, I write "THIS CARD IS STOLEN!" on the back of mine. That way, I'm extra sure it'll be reported the very minute it's used after it's stolen.
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
Type your social security number here: _________________ and see if it is on the stolen number list.
I tried that, but it didn't work out right. I locked my mailbox shut, but the mail carrier hasn't delivered any of mail since then. Strange...
In half of all the cases, it's the friendly relatives, neighbors and friends who steal the identity of the victim
Hey!!! I didn't order a collection of XXX-videos - now wait a minute...
SCOTT!!!!!
A physical bank, on the otherhand, is without fail, a physical bank.
Make sure that ATM isn't fake, police say
That would undoubtably be the wife/significant other. Understandable confusion given this is Slashdot. :)
Keep them maxed out. Sure they can have my credit card number, but just wait until they get that look of shame when they try to use it.
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I like how Visa's instructions for what to do when there is no signature, instructs the cashier to make the person sign the card, then check to make sure the signature matches that from the receipt they just signed...
I beleive what you'r looking for is this.
Reminds me of a Dilbert cartoon from a few years back.
Guy in a restaurant as he is handing his credit card to the waitress says to his companion "I don't trust giving my credit card information online"
When he waitress comes back for his signature she is wearing a fur coat.
Tips in restaurants can be calculated to the exact penny.
Sounds a little imprecise to me.
I've found that waitresses are much more impressed when you leave the exact 15% tip, which is why I carry penny wedges cut into slices of US$0.0005 denomination.
Add three of those twentieth of a penny wedges on the table and it really says you care.
"Provided by the management for your protection."