Welcome to Identity Thief - Identity Theft Resources
Identity Theft Penalties Article
Don't Get Caught by a Phishing Scheme By Howard Goff You receive an email from your bank warning you that your account information needs to be updated urgently or else it will be suspended. In a panic, you click on the link in the email and are brought to your bank's web site. Without giving it a second thought, you enter your user name and password to access your account online. In that moment, you have just handed an unknown criminal the keys to your banking account. You've been the victim of a phishing1 scheme. Phishing has become one of the most common methods of electronically stealing people's identities. During the period between May 2004 and May 2005, over 1.2 million individuals were victims of these attacks and have lost approximately $929 million. Clearly, phishing is a big problem, but the question is how can you protect yourself from being reeled in? One way is to increase your suspicion. The emails and web sites used in these phishing schemes are often remarkably accurate in appearance and tone to the real thing. That can make it difficult for you to recognize a fraud. However, there are a couple of things that can alert you to danger. First, check how the email is addressed. Does it say “Dear Paypal Customer” or does it include your name? Legitimate emails from these companies will use your name in the salutation. If the email begins with a generic salutation that could have been sent to anyone, then you should think twice before following any links in the email. Second, consider what the email is saying. Phishing schemes frequently use scare tactics, such as telling you that your account is being suspended, to make you act quickly and without thinking. Don't fall into their trap! If you receive an email stating that some problem exists with your account, contact the organization by email or, preferably, by phone to check the status for yourself. Finally, never click on a link in the email. These links will redirect you to the attackers' web site. Instead, go to the organization's web site on your own. For example, if you received an email supposedly from Ebay about your account, you would type www.ebay.com into your browser instead of using the link. That way you can check the status of your account safely because you'll know you are at the right location. Of course, phishing is only one method of stealing your identity. If you want to learn how to protect yourself from phishing and other methods or if you've been a victim of identity theft and need to know what steps to take now, you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide. About the Author: Author Howard Goff teaches you how to reduce your risk of becoming an Identity Theft victim in his e-Book "Identity Theft, A Resource Guide". This article is just part of the incredible content contained in this 50-page gold mine of information. Get your free copy of this guide today at: Identity Theft. Howard Goff has 3 years of specialized experience in the security industry and has been involved in the internet for over 15 years. He founded http://www.PCSecurityNews.com in early 2003 where his company has offered advice and security products to hundreds of thousands of people. Visitors to this website have access to an extensive FAQ and free Spyware Removal.
Identity Theft Penalties Best products
Identity Theft Penalties News
IRS and Social Security Urged to Curb Tax Fraud and Identity Theft
The Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration were urged during a congressional hearing Tuesday to take further steps to curb identity theft-related tax fraud.
Read more...Burleson police investigate possible identity theft involving teacher
The Burleson Police Department is reportedly investigating identity theft in the case of a Burleson high school coach who was accused of an improper online relationship with a 16-year-old student.
Read more...Taxpayer Advocates Cope with IRS Tax Refund Delays and Identity Theft
Taxpayers who have been victimized by identity thieves who stole their tax refunds have become a major concern for local taxpayer advocates.
Read more...Congress Introduces Bill to Increase Tax Preparer Penalties
A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced legislation that would increase the penalties on tax preparers who defraud taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service by altering tax returns for personal benefit without their clients' knowledge.
Read more...IRS to ID theft victims: Pay now while we pay later
The IRS is more than willing to make taxpayers wait for refunds — sometimes as long as 18 months — when identity thieves file fake tax returns in victims' names.
Read more...Feds to set up program to combat tax return ID theft in Fla.
The Internal Revenue Service will immediately begin a pilot program in Florida to fight identity theft-related tax fraud, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Wednesday.
Read more...