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."

Comments

this is why

[greechneb]

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. A pile of mail sitting around is an easy target, especially if it isn't opened - you probably won't miss it if you haven't opened it. Shred everything, even those credit card applications. You don't want any information easily available!!!

Re:this is why

[Peyna]

The two times I've had my credit card number stolen it was traced to a clerk or cashier at a location I had used my card. When it comes down to it, your information is only as secure as the people you give it to, and in most cases, it's the person standing behind the counter that you hand your card to that becomes the liability.

Which is why I now always pay at the pump, and try to avoid any situation where my card will be in the hands of someone else. Most places where you swipe the card yourself, the cashier does not have access to that information. Although, I used to work a grocery store, and while the receipt didn't contain the full credit card number, the roll that kept the transaction log at the register did, and it would have been very easy for myself or any other employee to simply take the roll when we were heading to count our cash drawer and pick a few names and numbers to use.

I imagine that most cases of "identity theft" are simply credit card fraud, and usually is not the result of someone dumpster diving for information.

Now is the time..

[Norgus]

To start stealing IDs online, you guys are WAY behind your quota!

Re:It amazes me how bad retailers are

[Rosco P. Coltrane]

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.

has your social security number been stolen?

[peter303]

Type your social security number here: _________________ and see if it is on the stolen number list.

ID theft through the mail

[Jere H]

My brother had an incident of identity theft which happened through the mail. A gang drove around and picked up envelopes containing payment for bills and had checks printed using the correct checking account information. They even printed drivers licenses with their own picture and changed the birthdate to about 10 years older than my brother's age.
He caught the unauthorized activity by chance when he deposited a check at the bank and they told him he had a negative balance. Around $480 of unauthorized activity had taken place. They froze the account at that moment, he went and filed a police report, and the bank canceled payment of all of the fraudulent items.
He received calls and letters for months saying he had written bad checks and that he would have a warrent put out for his arrest if he did not pay. He had to mail dozens of copies of the police report and a copy of the notarized statement he made saying he did not write the checks or authorize electronic payment of the items purchased on the internet. The postage totaled about $30. The money from his account was eventually all returned to him, but all of the time spent on the phone with companies trying to get the issue straightened out is a huge hassle, and the money for postage and telephone calls to various out-of-state companies comes out of your own pocket.

Are they really "friendly" relatives?

[hal2814]

I had a friend in college whose dad opened up a credit card account in my friend's name, charged it up, and let it default. My friend talked to legal services on campus (I'm not sure how good our campus legal services is but our law school is pretty good for a public school). They basically told him that he sould either pay it off or claim fraud and let the credit card company haul his dad off to jail. I can't imaging putting my child in that situation. He asked me what he should do but I didn't know what to tell him. That's a pretty sorry situation for a relative to put you in, especially your own father.

Prevent fraudulent use of your Credit card

[servognome]

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.