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Identity Theft: Common Scams

When it comes to identity theft, there are some common scams that are employed with a great deal of regularity. In this regard, this article presents to you an overview of some of the common scams that are associated with identity theft in this day and age.

Of course, this list of common scams associated with identity theft is not exhaustive. When it comes to identity theft, the scams involved in identity theft constantly are changing. In addition, new identity theft scams are developing all of the time.

Phone Fraud

Phone fraud is one of the earliest tools used by people interested in committing identity theft. These thieves telephone people poising as bank employees, governmental officials and in other roles that engender trust and confidence. Sometimes the caller will pose as being affiliated with the lottery.

In any event, these callers then proceed to finagle their way into obtaining personal and financial information from the victim.

Card Verification

Card verification is another common tool that is used in perpetrating identity theft. Through this scam and scheme, through the card verification sham, you will be notified that your credit card provider needs to verify your financial and personal information. Normally a threat accompanies the communication. The victim is told that if they do not provide necessary personal and financial information immediately, there account will be closed.

Credit card verification schemes as part of an identity theft scam normally are carried out by email and by phone.

Bogus Charities

Another common type of identity theft scam involves a bogus charity. You will be contacted by a person posing as a representative of a charity. They will encourage you to make a contribution, using either your credit card or you bank account.

Oftentimes, these scammers, these thieves make very compelling presentations. You open up and provide the person on the phone person and financial information -- you open the door to becoming a victim of identity theft -- by responding to the plea for a charitable contribution.

Phishing

Phishing is an Internet identity theft scheme through which you will be sent an email asking for personal or financial information. More often than not, this email will come to you purportedly from your bank or your credit card company. Additionally, emails purporting to be from PayPal and eBay are also commonly used in phishing schemes as part of identity theft rackets.

The simple rule of thumb is that not legitimate financial institution will ever send an email requesting personal or financial information.

Lottery

One of the other types of identity theft scams that are prevalent in this day and age are those relating to purported lotteries. The way these scams generally work is that a person will be contacted and told that they had won money in a lottery.

The caller will ask for your bank account information (for example) so that you lottery winnings can be send to you.