Common Identity Theft Scams
Most of the identity theft scams will ask you to provide your social security number or credit card information. The best advise that can counteract this is to never give out this kind of information unless you are the one who initiates the call. If you receive an email asking for such information it is best not to respond and contact the company directly to verify its validity. More often than not, emails requesting personal or credit information are scams.
Identify an Identity Theft Scam
Rather than literally pay for it later, familiarize yourself with the most common types of Identity Theft scams and always assume it is a scam until you can prove that it is not.
Below is a list of common scams which sadly represents only a small portion of the possible identity theft scams that are looking to steal your identity.
- Spending Habits Phone Scam
You may receive a phone call you think is from your credit card company stating that they would like to verify unusual spending habits.
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- Account Verification Scams
Also known as Phisher scams, these identity thieves register domain names very similar to the website names used by your credit card and other companies you may be dealing with.
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- Sign-in Registers
Some companies but mostly school or government agencies may ask you to sign in when you enter their building or department with your name and SSN.
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- Help me Move my Money...
By now most likely everyone has received at least one if not dozens of these types of emails. This type of identity theft or fraud is also known as the Nigeria Scam.
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- Lottery Scam
"You have won the Lottery!" or "Claim your Prize!" Originating from the Netherlands and other foreign countries, these scams can be very costly.
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- Free Credit Report Scam
Almost every "Free Credit Report" email you will receive is a scam. These identity thieves may be trying to get your social security number (SSN) and some may even bill you for this service at a later date.
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- You Won a Free Gift!
If you get a phone call or email stating that you have won a free gift and all that stands between you and this wonderful gift is your credit card information, it's most likely an identity theft scam.
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- Help (SSN) Wanted Ads
Be warned that identity thieves are publishing fake help wanted ads in newspapers and on job search websites to illicit personal information. Some even blatantly ask for SSN in the actual ads.
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- Hospital Employee Scams
There have been reports of identity thieves posing as hospital personnel and asking patients to verify or provide extra information. They may be wearing fake name tags as well as lab coats in their efforts to trick you.
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- Disaster Relief Scams
Every disaster such as 9-11 and the tsunami, brings out the best out of people with millions in donations. Unfortunately it also brings out the worst out of some through theft of donations as well as identity theft.
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- Get Out of Debt Scams
Another common scam is the "Get out of Debt" emails. Some may be legitimate offers from loan companies but be warned that others are actually thieves trying to steal your identity and add to your debt.
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