What can you do if someone is not exactly using your information to commit identity theft, but has hijacked some of your personal information? Is there such a thing as “sort-of identity theft”—or is that like being “half pregnant?” A reader wrote us with that dilemma:
What if someone is intentionally using your phone number and/or address on credit applications, documentations, etc. to avoid creditors?
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Identity theft is a serious problem worldwide. This crime flourishes when thieves are given access to your personal information, allowing them to commit crimes under your name or spend your money unbeknownst to you. You may be under the impression that identity theft could never happen to you. You may be careful with whom you give your Social Security number to, or diligent about changing up your passwords for the sake of safety. However, identity thieves are getting smarter about how they access your information. The statistics revolving around identity theft are disconcerting, but with a better understanding of how these crimes continue to be committed, we can help lower the rate of identity theft and prevent ourselves from becoming another statistic.
While many consumers have embraced mobile banking and been generally pleased with their experience, data also shows that some consumers still are reluctant to adopt new payment technology that could make their shopping experiences online and in the real world more convenient.
Experts have often cited consumer fears over the security of mobile wallet systems as the largest hurdle to widespread adoption of the technology, ahead of even the fact that the technology required to complete such a transaction is not widely available, according to U.S. News and World Report. As a consequence, the companies developing these mobile purchasing platforms will likely need to do a bit of work to reassure consumers that their systems are secure.
Jon Favreau has joined an all-star cast for a movie about identity theft called, wait for it, Identity Theft.
The actor-director joins jokesters Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman, who have already begun filming in Georgia, a state not without its own identity theft problems.
Identity theft is a very real problem, but if anyone could shed some humor on the subject, it would be the zany stars of “Bridesmaids” and “Horrible Bosses”.
The plot circles around a woman who steals a man’s identity, and hilarity ensues when he confronts her.
We can’t wait to check it out when it’s released in spring of 2013. The movie will be filming in Atlanta this spring and includes an all-star cast with Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman and Melissa Mccarthy.
Image courtesy of filmofilia.com.
The explosion of internet based social media such as Facebook, My Space, Twitter, and other outlets has created a potential liability risk that few consumers are aware of. These venues provide a place to express one’s views and opinions on every topic imaginable. In many cases, the authors can praise or criticize a person, place or thing in a rant or rave. Social Media sites can also provide a place to vent one’s dislikes or frustrations in the form of emotional rants. Because of the perception of anonymity, too often the rants are laced with profanity and contain many untruths about the target of the rant. The computer terminal provides a false barrier that emboldens many people to type and post words that they would never say in a face-to-face encounter. Once posted on the internet, the rant becomes public.
If the rant crosses the line from casual observation to defamation of character, then the target of the rant may wish to pursue litigation for libel. (Slander of character is spoken. Libel is written and much easier to prove because there is no denying what words were used.) The author of the libelous rant will then contact his or her personal liability insurance carrier for protection. If they only rely on the basic liability found in the standard homeowner policy, they will quickly find out that they are on their own.
The IDT911 marketing team is a proud recipient of a gold Hermes Award for work on this video.
The Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals. It is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.
It’s pretty difficult to keep your online activities from companies who sell that information to advertisers, employers and other companies.
If you’re concerned about your privacy on the Internet, you’ll enjoy Kate Murphy’s recent article in The New York Times.
Murphy reveals 8 ways to conceal your identity online from snoopers, hackers and others.
Payday loan scammers are learning a different meaning of the word “payback.”
The Federal Trade Commission has helped to bring down a ring of crooks that targeted cash-strapped consumers with payday loan scams. Responding to charges brought by the agency, a U.S. District Court recently shut down an operation based in Tracy, Calif., by freezing its assets. The scam allegedly involved more than 2.7 million calls to 600,000 different phone numbers. According to the FTC, the fraud ring collected more than $5.2 million from consumers who were led to believe they were paying off payday loans. But the debts were phony.
We’ve been warning consumers about fake overseas payday loan collection scams for a few years now. So it can be disheartening when we hear stories, like this one that was posted last week on our blog:
I received a recorded call at work that said I had written a bad check and would be served court papers…that day. The message then left a phone number to call to try to “settle” or arrange a payment plan. I got really scared and called the number. The lady said…they are middle man to recover past due pay day loans.
