| I received an e-mail message from "Paypal" not to | | | | Easy access to computers provide more chances for |
| long ago. The e-mail stated that PayPal needed me | | | | identity theft but the majority of cases according to |
| to update and verify my security information for | | | | the Better Business Bureau happen offline. Mail fraud, |
| their database. I didn't. One of the sentences in the | | | | public spying known as "shoulder surfing" or telephone |
| e-mail read: | | | | scams that target the elderly contribute greatly to |
| "Complete the necessary verification tasks within 5 | | | | this epidemic. |
| days, or your account might get temporarily | | | | Unfortunately senior citizens face another threat |
| suspended." | | | | known as the "sweetheart scam" in which a criminal |
| That didn't sound like the PayPal I've been doing | | | | offers to run errands or do chores around the house |
| business with for several years. The grammar of | | | | for the express purpose of taking control of the |
| "your account might get temporarily suspended" | | | | victim's finances. |
| raised an alarm bell. Also the logo while quite | | | | Taking control of someone's finances can also happen |
| professional looked odd. | | | | in a restaurant, department store or any legitimate |
| But the obvious giveaway was knowing Paypal would | | | | place of business . When a clerk swipes your card |
| never contact me at an e-mail address I never gave | | | | twice without your knowledge then stores the |
| them. I could have become a victim of a technique | | | | information for later use this is know as skimming. |
| called phishing. Just another form of Identity theft. | | | | Often the clerk will make a duplicate card with your |
| The effort criminals put into stealing your identity | | | | info to go on a buying spree or sell it on the black |
| staggers the imagination. | | | | market. The illegal selling of credit card information as |
| With Phishing also called brand spoofing, criminals set | | | | you might have already guessed is big business. |
| up phony but legitimate looking websites then spam | | | | Identity theft has forced many financial institutions to |
| you with e-mail like the one described above in the | | | | revamp their ATM's due to criminal rigging. A person |
| hopes of catching a percentage of Internet users. No | | | | uses the ATM but after putting in the pin# the |
| reputable business will ever ask ask for your personal | | | | machine keeps the card. Usually when the person |
| information via e-mail. | | | | goes to report it, the thief strikes, taking card, pin # |
| Phishing just became a parent to a newborn child | | | | and most importantly the victim's identity. |
| called "pharming". Hackers plant phony information | | | | The methods of madness can include something |
| into DNS servers. This allows them to match domain | | | | simple like going thru your trash known as dumpster |
| names with the database of IP addresses maintained | | | | diving or an elaborate hoax similar to the one |
| by various web hosting companies. In other words | | | | reported by the Associated Press. |
| you type in a web address press enter and get | | | | A family in the Pacific Northwest posed as tax |
| rerouted to bogus websites where identity thieves | | | | preparers and used stolen identities to go on buying |
| are waiting to grab any of your information. | | | | sprees across several states that included million dollar |
| 2003 saw identity thieves target Ebay account | | | | homes and luxury vehicles. According to authorities, |
| holders, this year it's Paypal's turn but any company | | | | since the thieves stole the social security # of |
| with a database of information remains a target. | | | | children as well as adults, the damage won't be fully |
| Choicepoint a veritable clearinghouse for the | | | | known until these young people start applying for |
| insurance industry finds themselves trying to explain | | | | credit later on. |
| how identity thieves tapped into their system to | | | | Law Enforcement officials believe the next step with |
| defraud 145,000 customers across the U.S. | | | | this criminal outfit involved applying for health care |
| Investigators in California place that number closer to | | | | positions. Hospitals and doctor offices provide a |
| a half a million. | | | | wealth of personal information. Perfect for Identity |
| The hackers apparently used previously stolen | | | | thieves |
| identities to apply for and receive business licenses | | | | These methods along with old fashioned robbery |
| then bought information from ChoicePoint whose | | | | show why identity theft according to the |
| database totals 19 billion public records. | | | | Department of Justice maintains it's ranking as the |
| The FTC estimates that this year alone identity theft | | | | number one and fastest growing crime in the US for |
| will cost the business community 4.2 billion dollars and | | | | 5 consecutive years. Unfortunately, it will maintain |
| 8 billion by the end of 2006. | | | | that status for the near future. |