5 Classic Identity Theft Scams You Need to Know About

Scam #1: Skimming
Have you ever wondered what happens to your credit card when a waiter takes it from the table to process it? In most cases‚ nothing other than ringing up your tab‚ but beware! Sometimes a criminal posing as an employee can swipe the card through an illegal reader called a ““skimmer”. The skimmer copies the data from your card’s magnetic stripe and that information is then used to make new‚ counterfeit cards with your information on them.

How to stay safer: Keep an eye on your server and your credit accounts.

Scam #2: Phishing
Chances are‚ like almost everyone else‚ you’ve received one of those emails that look like they are from your bank or another well-known financial institution sending you to a website to “verify” your personal data. Often‚ if you look closely‚ you can see the tell-tale spelling errors of fraudsters in the text. But sometimes phishing emails can be done so well‚ you inadvertently give a criminal access your account.

How to stay safer: Don’t click links in emails‚ and be sure to contact the businesses you have accounts with directly to determine if the email request was legitimate.

Now that you’re thinking about your where your identity is going‚ why not take advantage of a great deal that’s just for Xfinity subscribers: Identity Guard^® offers identity and credit monitoring solutions designed to help keep you alert to signs of potential identity theft. And those are just a few of the many benefits. So start protecting your identity right now. It’s easy — and your first 2 weeks are FREE!

Keep reading about more scams.

Scam #3: Dumpster Diving
Garbage is a great place to find treasure‚ if you are an identity thief. In your trash‚ he’ll find copies of your checks‚ credit card or bank statements‚ or other paperwork that states your name‚ address‚ phone number‚ email and even Social Security number.

How to stay safer: Shred all of your mail and paperwork before you throw it away‚ if it contains any personally identifying information.

Scam #4: Foreign Lottery
Many identity theft criminals are creative. They rely on your emotions to get you to react without thinking — and there is nothing more emotional than winning the lottery! So‚ if you get an email or phone call suggesting you’ve won some foreign lottery‚ be skeptical! If you didn’t buy a lottery ticket‚ you didn’t win any lottery.

How to stay safer: There is never a good reason to give a stranger from a foreign lottery personal information like your Social Security number or bank account. So don’t do it.

Scam #5: Address Change
Change-of-address forms are available at 32‚000² U.S. Post Offices around the country‚ and just about anyone can walk into a post office and fill out a form on your behalf to divert your billing statements to another location. If that someone is an identity thief‚ he knows how easy it is to make charges to your accounts without you noticing or ever seeing the bills.

How to stay safer: Keep an eye on your mail. If you’re expecting a bill or other package to arrive and it’s late‚ you’ll want to figure out where it is.

2 Source: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/24/postal-service-eyes-closing-thousands-post-offices

What’s your next step if you suspect you are the victim of an identity theft scam? Notify the authorities‚ including the police. File a report‚ check all three of your credit reports‚ contact your creditors and dispute any unauthorized charges.

Now that you’re thinking about your where your identity is going‚ why not take advantage of a great deal that’s just for Xfinity subscribers: Identity Guard^® offers identity and credit monitoring solutions designed to help keep you alert to signs of potential identity theft. And those are just a few of the many benefits. So start protecting you identity right now. It’s easy — and your first 2 weeks are FREE!