Identity theft is an increasingly common crime. From the most unsophisticated (such as dumpster diving) to the most sophisticated high-tech (such as Internet fraud), identity thieves are always looking for ways to get hold of your information.
Identity Theft
1. “Pharming” – At first, the criminals used “phishing” – the “Phishing” – in which they are posing as real financial institutions requesting consumers personal information through emails. This type of fraud is known as “pharming,” a neologism based on farming and phishing. Identity thieves create fake Web sites to convince people to register their personal data. How to avoid “pharming”? “Look closely at the site and the URL to see if they are familiar. Dive depth in the site for anything suspicious. Indeed, the perpetrators may not have recreated all the site levels.
2. Pay the gas pump – Next time you fill up at the gas station, be aware that your credit card data could take a detour to the bank for verification. Criminals can install a screening device in the dispenser so that your credit card information is sent directly to them as the gas station attendant is waiting for your card approval. How to protect yourself against fraud at the gas stations? “Pay in cash or with a gas credit card instead of using a debit card. So you will not be held liable for fraudulent charges.
3. Sensors typing – In order to get hold of your personal information, identity thieves can obtain a sensor keystroke for about $100. The sensor records information typed on the keyboard. The villain comes back later to download the data. “This type of theft is more common at public location, such as cybercafé”. How to avoid typing sensors? Look at the keyboard for devices that can be plugged, and avoid if possible to type any confidential data on a shared computer.
4. International skimming – Skimming occurs when a thief captures your credit data with a small drive similar to that which is commonly used in stores. This type of credit card fraud is increasingly common internationally with travelers who use their credit card across the world. How to ensure your credit card data remains safe and sound? ” While traveling, use only one credit card so you can easily identify and report fraudulent charges, if any occurs “.
5. Flight Database – Identity thieves who want to steal more than one identity at a time will go into databases. “In the past, to steal 30 000 records at a university, the criminals would have had a hard time to physically carry thousands of files. It would have been virtually impossible. Today, all data can be collected on a single flash drive, easier to steal and use. “How to protect yourself against the theft of databases? Make sure that the people who keep your data act responsibly to protect and encrypt your files.
Your personal information!
We all have things we prefer to keep private. Although we can mostly preserve our little secrets, credit profile is a different story: third parties can access.
When someone requests a copy of your credit report, it’s called a “demand”.
Who can view your credit report?
Can these demands affect your credit score?
All eyes are on you!
To prevent, “Mr Everyone” to get their hands on your profile, there are laws that restrict access to your credit data. Generally, only companies or parties with a “permissible reason” and your consent can see your profile. Some examples of permissible reasons: access to credit profile as part of an application for credit, insurance, potential employment or a business transaction initiated by the consumer.
In other words, any institutions who are in the process of doing a legitimate business with you can access your credit report. This includes, for example: creditors, lenders, insurers, property owners employers can check your credit history via an application. Of course, you have the right to know who visits your credit profile. The credit profile even includes a section stating who access your file.
After seeing who observes your file, you might start to wonder if such applications can affect your credit score.
Actual demands and innocuous requests: what is the difference?
There are two main types of applications: the actual demands and the harmless requests. When you apply for a mortgage, car loan or other type of credit, the creditor has the right to request your credit report. Applications made by collection agencies, this demand will have a real impact on your credit score.
When a company, with whom you already have a relationship, makes a subsequent credit check to offer you additional credit products, this is a soft inquiry and does not affect your credit score. In other circumstances, applications can also be harmless, when a company requests your credit profile for the purpose of managing your account. When you ask your own profile, it’s also a soft inquiry.
Returning to the real demands. These play a role in regard to your credit score if your profile includes a long list of applications for credit cards. Creditors may think you are starving for credit and therefore a high credit risk and your credit score could fall.
The situation is slightly different when it comes to secured loans. If you are looking for a mortgage or car, many potential creditors could claim your profile, even if you are actually looking for one loan. Thus, many applications related to a mortgage or car in a short period, could count only as one application, and thus have minimal impact on your credit score.
Do you know who should most consult your credit?
By ordering your credit report several times each year, you will ensure that it is accurate at all times. And remember when you apply for your profile, it is a soft inquiry and doesn’t affect your credit score.
