Identity Theft Scams, You Name It! They Scam It!

Identity theft scams have hit an all time high!

It's hard to take in just how many different scams keep circulating.

Some scams are like the energizer bunny and "just keep going and going".

• One example of identity theft just happened to me and is an all too common occurrence.

A Case Of Not Being Aware!

I was at a mini-mart recently buying gas and went to the counter to pay.

The woman in front of me was filling out a check to pay for a few groceries when she realized she also needed gas.

The woman stopped in the middle of writing her check, put her purse to the side of the counter along with her checkbook which was completely open and sitting on top of her purse, and flew out to pump her gas.

The clerk looked at me and I looked at him, shook my head and said, “It’s a good thing we’re not an identity thief; this would be a perfect opportunity”. The clerk also agreed and just shook his head.

Of course I couldn’t let this pass by, as I’m the “why” person, and the one that wants to keep everyone safe”.

When the woman came back in the store I told her it was a good thing I was a trustworthy person, and pointed to the purse and open checkbook lying on the counter.

I told her I could have easily run a scam on here and stolen her identity and wiped her out.

• All I would need was a line of numbers in her checkbook. The sad fact is that she wouldn’t know it until it was too late.

• I also informed her how much it would cost her, how long it would take to set things right, and I was sure she didn’t want to go through this.

• The woman told me she usually wasn’t so careless, thanked me, and said she would certainly be more careful in the future.

Remember! It only takes ONE time of carelessness for you to become a victim of this horrible scam of identity theft. Please Be Aware of what you are doing.

For more identity theft scams, see email scams and social security fraud.

Utility Scam

Identity theft scams also involve the utility scam, which is making the rounds again. This scam has been around in different ways in the past. The thieves seem to recycle this one from time to time.

• You will receive a call from someone claiming they are from your utility company and trying to collect payment on a bill that is overdue. They will then ask for the customer’s credit card or bank account number.

• Most utility companies only call a customer to request payment if the customer has not paid their bill, or contact them to let them know there is a problem paying and the customer is going to be disconnected.

NEVER give out your personal information to someone who calls and requests this information over the phone.

• If this happens, write down the person’s name and phone number. Then call the main number of the company the caller said they represent.

• Find out if your bill is overdue and how the company collects the payment. If you find the call was a scam and have given out your personal information, contact your local law enforcement agency.

Gift Card Scams

These particular scams “take the cake." Gift cards are also at risk!

• Crooks have even found a way to steal the balance on your gift card. Crooks jot down card numbers of the gift cards in the store, wait a couple of days, then call to see what the balance is on “THEIR” card.

• They start shopping as soon as they find out the card is “activated”. It is best to buy your cards from the customer service person.

• This way, the cards are not in racks that are viewable to the public.

Carjacking Scam

A New Way To Do This! It’s No Joke!

You are walking across a parking lot to your car. You unlock the car and get inside and start your engine, then put your car in reverse and look into your rearview mirror before backing out of your parking slot.

You notice a piece of paper, or some other object, stuck to the middle of your rear window.

The paper stuck to your window is going to block the view behind you in your rearview mirror. You put your car in PARK, unlock your doors and jump out of your car to remove the paper or object on your window.

When you are at the rear of your vehicle, carjackers appear from nowhere, jump into your car and take off. Your engine is running and they almost plow you down as they speed off in your car.

• Oh! By the way ladies, I bet your purse is still in the car. The thief now has your identity in his hands. He already has the keys to your car, but now has your name and address.

• OOPS! Your house keys are probably on the key ring with your car key, and let’s not forget that your remote control to the garage is most likely somewhere in the car also.

• You have just given the thief a free pass to your identity and life.

Be aware of this new tactic in identity theft scams.

• Just drive away to a different and safe location before you remove the object from you window.

Be safe! It can happen to you!

As far as identity theft scams go, this one is very scary and very hazardous to many areas of your life.

There is such a large variety of identity theft scams it is hard to keep up with this crime. Here is a list of many of the most common scams making the rounds.

For More Identity Theft Scams See;

• Phone Scams - Are one of the most incredibly “personal” of all identity theft scams. Find out why at phone scams.

  
  

• Grant Scams – Target parents and students! This is heartbreaking! Find out more about grant scams.

  
  

• Social Security Fraud - This scam has devastating effects and many victims are children. Go to social security fraud to see how this works.

  
  

• Rental Scams – Vacation rental scams … You won’t even realize what happened. To find out how to protect yourself check rental scams.

  
  

• ATM Security - Identity theft scams also hit bank ATM’s. Find out how to protect yourself with atm security.

  
  

• Job Scams - Online job searches are the newest identity theft scams. Find out how this is done at job scams.

  
  

• Charity Scams - Always check out a charity BEFORE you contribute. Find out how to protect yourself against charity scams.

  
  

• Child Identity Theft - Child identity theft is real and happens more than you think. See more at child identity theft.

  
  

• Nigerian Scams - These scams come in many forms and have reached epidemic proportions. Don't become a victim. Find out more about nigerian scams.

  
  

• Jury Duty Scams - Find out how jury duty scams work. You won’t believe this!

  
  

• Lottery Scam - This identity theft scam is “Big Business” and rakes in millions. Don’t become a victim! See what the lottery scam is all about.

  
  

• Credit Card Scams - This scam is rising dramatically and everyone is vulnerable to having credit card scams happen to them.

  
  

• Email Scams - Will you be next? These identity theft scams are one of the worst and most common and come in the form of a petition. Find out more about email scams here.

  
  

• Motor Vehicle Theft - This theft/identity theft is ”BIG” business. You can lose not only your vehicles, but your identity in the process. Find out how at motor vehicle theft.

  
  

• Identity Theft Scams - How many identity theft scams can make you a victim? The number of scams is enormous. Check out these identity theft scams.

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