Technology aids criminals in their evil actions and allows a greater numbers of people to be harmed. Individuals may argue that technology helps us catch our criminals but I believe technology aids and fuels evil actions.
In today’s day in age people have a fear being robbed, shot, of even killed. We lock our homes, our cars and carry our wallets in safe places. As a society we fear the criminal with the gun! But what about the criminals that don’t use violence—the insiders who steal your identity.
You are at a higher risk then you think!
Webster dictionary describes identity theft as “the co-option of another person's personal information (e.g., name, Social Security number, credit card number, passport) without that person's knowledge and the fraudulent use of such knowledge” (http://www.webster-online-dictionary.org). Once someone’s identity is stolen, the criminal may steal money or gain other advantages by pretending to be someone else.
Thieves Steal Identities by-
1. Dumpster Diving – Finding personal information such as bills and other statements in the trash.
2. Stealing Credit Card numbers – by storing credit card information when a credit card is processed.
3. Phishing- Using spam to get you to reveal your personal information.
4. Using a false identity over the phone- Identity stealers may use this to change your address on billing statements over the phone with previous information they have stolen.
5. Physical theft- Stealing physical items; a wallet, purse or other personal information.
Technology aids these invisible criminals while they hide behind computers and take advantage of other people lives. With the information that they gather they can open bank accounts, new phone numbers, create counterfeit checks, and possibly ruin your credit score. It is vital that you realize you are at risk! Our parents taught us to locking our doors and protect our wallets or purses, but times have changed and criminals are attacking in different way. It is your responsibility to protect yourself against these invisible criminals.
Here are a few websites I recommend checking out –
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