identity Thieves Employ High-Tech Tactics

["David Farber" <dave () farber net>]

-----Original Message-----
From: "EEkid () aol com"<EEkid () aol com>
Sent: 13/07/05 7:56:00 AM
To: "dave () farber net"<dave () farber net>
Subject: Identity Thieves Employ High-Tech Tactics

 
Identity Thieves Employ High-Tech Tactics
Aleksandra Todorova
SmartMoney.com 
THANKS TO TECHNOLOGY advances, identity thieves no longer need to  
dumpster-dive in search of your private information. Now, sensitive data can  easily 
land in their hands while you're shopping, browsing the Internet or  simply 
visiting your dentist. 
Here are five of the latest high-tech forms of identity theft, according to  
Truecredit, a unit of credit-reporting bureau TransUnion, along with ways  
consumers can protect themselves. 
1. Pharming. You've probably heard of "phishing," a form of identity  theft 
where fake emails are sent out, asking you to urgently update your bank  
account or credit-card information, which is then sent to identity thieves. Now  
phishing has evolved into "pharming," where thieves create fake Web sites  
similar to the Web sites of banks or credit-card companies. When consumers who  
don't know the difference try to log in, their account information is sent along  
to the thieves. 
These Web sites get traffic through phishing, explains Nicole Lowe, credit  
education specialist at Truecredit.com, or with the help of computer viruses  
that automatically redirect traffic from specific Web addresses, such as those  
for banks, credit-card companies or shopping Web sites. To avoid pharming, 
look  out for anything strange or new in the site's Web address, or URL, Lowe  
recommends. You can also browse the Web site in depth. The crooks likely 
haven't  recreated all its layers. 
2. Gas stations. Every time you swipe your credit or debit card at the  gas 
pump, your information is sent via satellite to your bank for verification.  
According to Truecredit, identity thieves have now invented a way to hijack that 
 information by modifying the program that carries out the data transfer so 
that  your credit-card number is sent to them at the same time it's sent to 
your bank.  While there isn't a way to detect when your data are being stolen, 
Lowe  recommends using only credit cards at the pump as a precaution. With debit 
or  check cards, it takes a while for fraudulent purchases to be credited 
back into  your checking account, while credit-card companies will remove any 
disputed  charges from your account immediately. 
3. International skimming. According to Truecredit, skimming occurs  when 
your credit card is run through a small reader, similar to those used in  grocery 
stores, which captures your card information for future use by identity  
thieves. This form of fraud is common in the service industry here in the U.S.,  
and anywhere abroad. Be on the lookout when paying with a credit card in a  
restaurant that you're not familiar with, Lowe recommends. If you don't feel  
comfortable letting your card out of sight, use cash or walk over to the cash  
register to pay your bill. When traveling abroad, use only one credit card so  
it's easier to detect any fraudulent charges. 
4. Keystroke catchers. These small devices are attached to the cable  that 
connects your keyboard to your computer and can be bought online for a  little 
over $100. The "catcher" resembles a standard connector, but contains a  memory 
chip that records everything you type. It's typically used in public  places 
where computers are available, such as libraries, Internet cafes and  college 
computer labs. To protect yourself when using a public computer, never  shop 
online, check your bank account, pay bills or enter your credit-card  
information. 
5. Database theft. Chances are, your personal information is part of  
numerous databases, including those at your dentist and doctor's offices, your  
college or university admissions office, your mortgage and insurance companies,  
even your local Blockbuster. While there's little you can do about the way those 
 companies safeguard your information, you can try limiting their access to  
sensitive data, such as your Social Security number, says Lowe. Your cable  
company and DVD rental store, for example, have no need to know your Social  
Security number and should agree to an alternative, such as the last few digits  
of your driver's license number. 
_http://biz.yahoo.com/special/survive05_article1.html_ 
(http://biz.yahoo.com/special/survive05_article1.html) 

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