What is it?
Another type of scam is identity theft (also known as identity fraud). Identity theft is when a scammer pretends to be someone else in order to steal money or gain other benefits. For someone who has had their identity stolen it can be both emotionally and financially devastating. Identity theft could involve stealing someones credit card details in order to purchase things. It could also involve stealing someone's whole identity to do something illegal.
There are many different types of identity theft such as phishing, spyware, and dumpster diving. These are all targeted at stealing your personal, banking and credit card details.
Phishing is the illegal act of sending emails, instant messages, spam and SMSs that trick people into giving paswords, personal, credit and banking details. These methods are very hard to identify as phishing scams as they seem to have been sent from a legitimate bank, business or financial institution. Usually, the Scammer is aiming to attain information such as your bank account or credit card numbers, and passwords which allow them to steal money from you or steal your whole identity. For phishing scams to work, you must get tricked into entering personal information through methods like 'verifying your account'. After the scammer has retrieved your personal information, he/she will be able to commit identity theft.
This picture is a good example of a phishing scam. This link requires you to enter your personal information to activate your check card. This is obviously a scam as credit unions and banks do not ask for this type of information. If this information is given out scammers and others are able to retrieve any money.
Spyware is a dangerous software which is programmed to steal your information in order to engage in identity theft.Spyware has a signature in which specifies whether it is a safe or risky program. Anti-spyware programs locate the signature to indicate whether a program is safe. Spyware usually gets installed into your computer without your knowledge of it. It could be installed onto your computer by installing another application which contains spyware or by visiting a website which plants spyware onto your computer. It could also be installed onto your computer when you download a free game or music which contains spyware. This is also known as 'trojan'. Spyware can steal your information in 2 ways. It could hide in your computer and collect information within your computer. It could do this via keylogger. Keylogger observes and saves/logs everything you type on your computer. It stores this information in a file and sends it to the scammer via the web. In context, it could log your banking details, passwords, date of birth, etc. Once the scammer has this information, he/she is able to carry out identity theft. Another way in which spyware could work is by rearranging the formation of the computer so that the scammer is able to have access to the computer and all information inside it. The scammer can also lock the computer so that you are not able to access it and by doing that he/she could use your computer for illegal matters.
Dumpster diving is where scammers look through other people's trash for personal, banking and details. It is widely used and is very low-tech. However, not many people are aware of the dangers of dumpster diving. Scammers can retrieve bank letters, receipts, etc. in which to retrieve information about the person.Through dumpster diving, scammers will be able to commit identity theft.
How do I tell what it is?
Phishing scams usually contain a link in which you have to click on. The link should be similar to the original website for the bank but it is somewhat different. The URL may also contain misspelled words. This link requires you to provide personal details which is the way in which scammers retrieve your personal details. Also, the link would not be secure which could notify someone with anti-spyware. Usually, the email doesn't address you by your full name but instead could include: 'To the receiver of this email',' To whom it may concern', 'Dear customer' and so forth. The email, instant message, spam or SMS may contain typos. Phishing scams may also require you to verify your account. Also, if you receive an SMS which requests for your personal or banking details, it is not legitimate. Banks do not usually communicate with their customers via phone.
Spyware is very hard to detect but there are still some small signs in which indicates a presence of this software. Popups are usually an indication of spyware. They could come onto your computer one after another. After closing a pop up it could appear on your screen again and it would show up although you have closed it.Other pop-ups could encourage you to download a software or click on a pop-up box by saying you can receive free music downloads, games, etc. Also, just clicking on the close button or answering an easy question of a pop-up box could enable spyware to be downloaded onto your computer. Another sign of spyware could include new icons or tools appearing in your computer. This could include a new tool bar, icon in the task tray or a changed home page. Also, spyware could lead to a significantly slower computer. An indication of spyware could also be when you type a URL but your computer is redirected to another website or window error messages appearing with no reason.
How do I prevent this?
To prevent trapping yourself in a phishing scam:
1. Do not respond to or open spam emails which seem suspicious. If a link or file is provided, do not click on the link and/or file. Delete it immediately or report it if necessary.
2. Do not give away personal, banking and credit card details via phone or email to someone who you may not know or trust. And do not give away information on a website which does not seem legitimate.
3. Accurately type the web address and make sure you have not made any mistakes, as scammers usually create fake website with URLs similar to websites which are popular. Also, type web addresses rather than click on the link of an email.
To prevent trapping yourself in a spyware scam:
1. Install anti-spyware software (at least 2) to ensure you computer is protected from this software
2. Be cautious of free offers and read the terms and conditions
3.Use your common sense and ask yourself the fundamental question- if it is too good to be true it usually is
4. Do not respond to or open spam emails which seem suspicious. If a link or file is provided, do not click on the link and/or file. Delete it immediately or report it if necessary.
To prevent trapping yourself from an identity theft scam from dumpster diving:
1. Purchase a paper shredder
2. Be cautious of what you are throwing out
