If you have been a victim of identity theft, then you can understand how this crime can seriously ruin your life. If you haven’t, then you either have no idea, or only have a faint clue to what it feels like.

The consequences of identity theft are very real and are very distressing. It doesn’t matter for what purposes your identity has been stolen, serious damage can be caused. If somebody has found your details, they can use them for a number of things. For example, next time you throw away an old bank statement or credit card receipt, just think of what could happen if somebody were to find those scraps of paper. Not only will they contain your name and address, but they also contain details of your bank, and credit card details. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that these sorts of information can be used for. (more…)

If you were already worried about the increasing rate of identity theft, and the costs caused to both the companies and the individuals themselves, then you are in for an even bigger worry, and that is the new type of identity theft that is coming about, commonly called pretexting. (more…)

A warning for all internet and email users!

It’s almost Valentine’s Day once again but before opening up that  E-Valentine’s Card, you may want to think again.  It may not be coming from cupid but instead from someone ready to spread the so called Storm Worm virus.

The Storm Worm virus have used the various holidays in the previous year to send out millions of emails and electronic cards such as Valentine’s E-Cards.  It is a malicious software (malware) and it does infect computer machines and made it become a part of of the Storm Worm botnet.  A botnet is a network of compromised machines but under the control of a single user.  Botnets are known to be to be set up to facilitate criminal activity such as phishing, spam emails, identity theft and other servcice attacks to spread malware to other computers online.  When a user clicks on the email link, he automatically downloaded the malware and his computer system is infected.

It is very important to be extra careful in opening up any e-card emails. Make sure that you know the sender before opening e-cards.  Do not open any unsolicited e-mail and if you accidentally opened them, never click on any links provided.

How Does Identity Theft Happen?

Identity thieves use items like your driver’s license or Social Security number to assume your identity. With just a few items of personal information, an experienced identity thief can open new bank accounts and write bad checks, get new credit card accounts in your name and not pay the bills, get a personal, car loan or cash advances, create cellular phones accounts or utility services and start running up bills, change your mailing address and charge on your existing credit card accounts, illegally obtain employment or rent an apartment but refuse to pay the lease until being evicted. (more…)