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JF-Expert Member
- Mar 31, 2009
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The five worst ID fraud scams
Rachel Robson highlights the five worst types of ID fraud and shows you how to protect yourself...
Every week it seems that a new scam has been conjured up to try and catch us out. And just as we get to grips with the latest swindles, new ones are thrown our way.
And as the criminals become more eager to come up with new scams, we become more susceptible to them.
So here, Im going to highlight the top five ID scams to watch out for, according to Equifax.
1) Phantom flat transfers
Imagine this: Youre looking for a place to rent, and you ask to view a property. Before you go to see the property, the landlord asks you to provide a proof of funds by transfer of money to a friends account. Youre then asked to send a copy of the receipt to the landlord, to prove you have enough money to cover the deposit and rent.
You go ahead and do this, thinking that as you're transferring the money to someone you trust, everything will be OK. But by doing this, youve effectively kissed your money goodbye. And when you go to collect your cash from the money transfer firm you've used, you find the money has already been withdrawn.
By giving the landlord the money transfer receipt, all she/he has had to do is pop along to the transfer agency, quote the transfer number, and run off with the cash. And, of course, there was no property to rent in the first place.
So if you do get asked to transfer funds to prove you have enough money, simply don't.
Watch our video: The phantom rental property market scam
2) Fake charities
Im always a little dubious when someone comes up to me, particularly if Im in a pub, and rattles a charity tin under my nose. Maybe Im a little cynical, but Im never quite sure whether they are genuine or not.
But now the whole charity scam is being taken one step further. Several fake websites are springing up out of nowhere, designed to look like those of recognised charities so that donations meant to go towards helping Haiti, for example, go to the pockets of criminals.
So if you are planning to donate to charity, check whether the website is legitimate. You can read more on this below.
3) Twitter
Unfortunately, the increasing popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter has come hand in hand with a rise in scams. And apparently, even the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has fallen victim to this new method of ID fraud. And sadly, so have I.
In this latest scam, you receive a message from a friend (whose account has been hacked) saying ha ha is this you?, followed by a link. However, if you click on this link, spammers can gain access to your account and then use this to send messages and links to other websites that arent 100% reliable.
So make sure you dont click on any of these links, and if you do, change your password immediately.
4) Email phishing
This is probably one of the best known ID fraud scams. Typically, youll receive a fake email from a website you use regularly, such as Hotmail or eBay, or maybe your bank, asking you to reset or confirm your security details often by following a link.
But if you click on this link, youll often be taken to a fake website with the aim of getting hold of your personal or financial details to defraud you. So make sure you delete any such emails and dont click on any links.
Your bank will never ask you to confirm your bank details. If you are in doubt about the validity of an email, or if you think that you may have disclosed information to a fraudulent site, contact your bank immediately. For more information, check out the Bank Safe Online website.
5) Identity theft of the deceased
Sadly, even the deceased can be victims of fraud. Recently, a criminal gang was arrested for stealing the identity of a baby that had died 16 years ago, with his birth certificate being used to defraud more than £20,000.
Fraudsters can use the names of the deceased to open credit cards and other financial accounts, so you need to be extra careful when dealing with the death of family members and friends.
Watch this video: The scams that make you shiver
Top tips to protect yourself
So now you know what the scams are, here are 10 top tips for fighting back.
1) Check your bank account
Make sure you check your bank account on a regular basis and check for any unusual transactions. A really easy way to do this is with the lovemoney.com online banking tool which amalgamates information from all your different providers, allowing you to see all your different statements at a single glance, with a single log-in. (You can also categorise all your transactions, so you'll know immediately if some of your spending seems out of place.)
This is a really easy way to keep an eye on your transactions, because every time you visit lovemoney.com to read our articles, you can quickly log into the online banking service.
2) Log out
When using any online banking, its important to remember to log out properly, so that your details arent visible to anyone else.
3) Keep your PIN private
Dont tell anyone your PIN and dont write it down. Its also best not to use the same PIN for all your cards, and dont make it something obvious such as your birthday or 1234.
4) Shield your PIN
Always cover your PIN when youre using a cash machine or Chip & PIN device in a shop. That way you will shield your number from prying eyes and hidden cameras.
5) Dont give out details
Never give out your personal details on the phone or by email unless you know exactly who you are dealing with and you know they are from a legitimate organisation. If you have received a phone call, it can be a good idea to hang up and phone back yourself.
6) Be wary
Remember, if you are genuinely owed a rebate or any form of money from the Inland Revenue or your bank, they will always inform you in a written letter and never over the phone or via email.
7) Dispose wisely!
Make sure you carefully dispose of all documents that show your name and address preferably by shredding them. This includes bank statements, letters from your doctor and utility bills.
8) Check your credit record
Make sure you regularly check your credit report as this lists all credit commitments and recent credit applications, so youll easily see whether someone has been trying to use your ID. You can sign up to a free credit report from Experian.
Watch our video: Improve your credit score
9) Redirect your post
If you move house, make sure you ask the Post Office to redirect your mail to your new address preferably for a year.
10) Charity donations
When donating to charity, try to use recognised websites. You can find out whether a charity is legitimate on this page of the Charity Commission website.
Online massages:
You may have received a massage through your Email for which you can surely belief to be a genuine on . Recently, one of my friends wrote to tell me he was worned a South World Cup 2010 lottery and he was in the process of sending his particulars to get paid his money. As I asked him whether he played the said lottery, he reply "NO"..so was it simple that way to get money paid to him??.....
It was again scammers. Just for advise. see particulars in here.
http://419.bittenus.com/8/3/2010worldcuplottery.html
Hello, I am Miss Young. I received the following email. It is about a fraud lottery. The lottery claims that I won, but the reality is that they want MY money.
Go to the lotteries page to see more stories on fake lotteries.
If you received a similar email, you should go to the homepage to read more about 419 fraud.
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 04:42:53 -0500 (EST)
Subject: 2010 WORLDCUP LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION
From: "2010 LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION,," <vicfra@yahoo.com>
FROM THE DESCK OF
MRS ANGELA C. ELVIS
LOTTERY BID IN SOUTH AFRICA
Serial Number: 97560.
Winning Number:60/84/27/17/36
Ticket Number: B9665 75604546 199
Cash File : KPC/9030108308/03.
DEAR: WINNER,
( CONGRATULATIONS WINNER )
Congratulation you have won £800,000.00 (Eight Hundred Thousand British
pounds sterling only) in the 2nd category to the draw of South African
2010 World cup bid lottery Award International programs held in Zurich,
Switzerland. Your e-mail address attached to winning Number:
60/84/27/17/36 with a ticket number: B9665 75604546 199 and Serial
Number:97560. With Cash File: KPC/9030108308/03. In the just concluded
draw held to promote South African 2010 World Cup. We are forwarding this
winning to your notification/claim.
PLAESE CALL OR CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT THROUGH EMAIL
CLAIMING AGENT
Mr. Benjamin V. Smith
Telephone: +27-73 - 466 - 9461
Email: claimagents_directors@winning.com
Give your agent this informations for your claims
Your Name:
Address:
Winning Informations:
Telephone:
Age:
Sex:
Your Passport Photograph:
Nationality:
Company and Occupation:
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs Angela C. Elvis
(Zonal cordinator)
SOMA HAPA TENA http://antifraudintl.org/showthread.php?t=23987
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1607266
[ BEGIN SCAM E-MAIL ]
From: Congratulation Congratulation <congratulation_congratulation88@msn.com>
Subject: Congratulation" Congratulation"Congratulation" Congratulation
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:09:28 +0000 (11:09 EDT)
YAHOO INTERNET AWARDS 2009
Yahoo Awards Center
124 Stockport Road, Longsight,
London M60 2DB
United Kingdom.
http://www.419baiter.com/_scam_emails/0-rzx-09-07c/scam-email-048687.shtml
Tahadhali
Epuka kujibu meseji za simu au barua pepe l usizoijua na kuachia taarifa zako muhimu. Epuka kumpa mtu ambaye mnakutana nae kwa mara ya kwanza namba yako ya simu na kuachia taarifa zako muhimu pasipo sababu ya kufanya hivyo. Labda kama kuna ulazima sana, haishauriwi hata kwenye Mitandao ya jamii (social networks) au blogus, tovuti nk kuweka taarifa zako muhimu kwa sababu ya usalama wako binafsi na mali zako.
Usikurupuke kufanya maamuzi hasa unapotaka jambo fulani au kuona kama hela ipo nje nje kupata. Chunguza kwa makini, hata kwa wale wanao omba kazi kupitia huduma ya mtandao, wanashauriwa kutoa taarifa zao za kibenki nk bara baada ya kukutana na Mwajiri na kujua hata ofisi nk, vinginevyo utalia....
Wapo watu ambao wanaishi kwa staili ambayo si rahisi kujua nia zao kwako mara moja. Kuna wengi wametumbukia katika mtego huu wa kuachia namba zao za simu au kukimbilia kuwa wakarimu kutoa majibu nayaoanika taarifa zao muhimu:
Kwa mfano.. Mtu anakutumia msg..kukuuliza "we si fulani bwana..mbona kimya..??" unamjibu ukiwa na mashaka kidogo..."kwani we nani mwenzangu??" au "wrong number" akijitambulisha hata pasipo kuthibitish ni yeye .....mawasiliano yanaendelea hivyooooo mpka unaingia kwenye mtego pasipo kujua wala pengine kuthibitisha kwa sura huyo aliyekutumia msg...Wapo wengine wanatumia hizo msg kwa nia mbaya ..akiuuliza unajibu..wanauliza tena ..unajibu..tena, unajibu na tena na tena..badadae anakusanya taarifa zake vizuri na anakuwa kakupata.......
Rachel Robson highlights the five worst types of ID fraud and shows you how to protect yourself...
Every week it seems that a new scam has been conjured up to try and catch us out. And just as we get to grips with the latest swindles, new ones are thrown our way.
And as the criminals become more eager to come up with new scams, we become more susceptible to them.
So here, Im going to highlight the top five ID scams to watch out for, according to Equifax.
Imagine this: Youre looking for a place to rent, and you ask to view a property. Before you go to see the property, the landlord asks you to provide a proof of funds by transfer of money to a friends account. Youre then asked to send a copy of the receipt to the landlord, to prove you have enough money to cover the deposit and rent.
You go ahead and do this, thinking that as you're transferring the money to someone you trust, everything will be OK. But by doing this, youve effectively kissed your money goodbye. And when you go to collect your cash from the money transfer firm you've used, you find the money has already been withdrawn.
By giving the landlord the money transfer receipt, all she/he has had to do is pop along to the transfer agency, quote the transfer number, and run off with the cash. And, of course, there was no property to rent in the first place.
So if you do get asked to transfer funds to prove you have enough money, simply don't.
Watch our video: The phantom rental property market scam
2) Fake charities
Im always a little dubious when someone comes up to me, particularly if Im in a pub, and rattles a charity tin under my nose. Maybe Im a little cynical, but Im never quite sure whether they are genuine or not.
But now the whole charity scam is being taken one step further. Several fake websites are springing up out of nowhere, designed to look like those of recognised charities so that donations meant to go towards helping Haiti, for example, go to the pockets of criminals.
So if you are planning to donate to charity, check whether the website is legitimate. You can read more on this below.
3) Twitter
Unfortunately, the increasing popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter has come hand in hand with a rise in scams. And apparently, even the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has fallen victim to this new method of ID fraud. And sadly, so have I.
In this latest scam, you receive a message from a friend (whose account has been hacked) saying ha ha is this you?, followed by a link. However, if you click on this link, spammers can gain access to your account and then use this to send messages and links to other websites that arent 100% reliable.
So make sure you dont click on any of these links, and if you do, change your password immediately.
4) Email phishing
This is probably one of the best known ID fraud scams. Typically, youll receive a fake email from a website you use regularly, such as Hotmail or eBay, or maybe your bank, asking you to reset or confirm your security details often by following a link.
But if you click on this link, youll often be taken to a fake website with the aim of getting hold of your personal or financial details to defraud you. So make sure you delete any such emails and dont click on any links.
Your bank will never ask you to confirm your bank details. If you are in doubt about the validity of an email, or if you think that you may have disclosed information to a fraudulent site, contact your bank immediately. For more information, check out the Bank Safe Online website.
5) Identity theft of the deceased
Sadly, even the deceased can be victims of fraud. Recently, a criminal gang was arrested for stealing the identity of a baby that had died 16 years ago, with his birth certificate being used to defraud more than £20,000.
Fraudsters can use the names of the deceased to open credit cards and other financial accounts, so you need to be extra careful when dealing with the death of family members and friends.
Watch this video: The scams that make you shiver
Top tips to protect yourself
So now you know what the scams are, here are 10 top tips for fighting back.
1) Check your bank account
Make sure you check your bank account on a regular basis and check for any unusual transactions. A really easy way to do this is with the lovemoney.com online banking tool which amalgamates information from all your different providers, allowing you to see all your different statements at a single glance, with a single log-in. (You can also categorise all your transactions, so you'll know immediately if some of your spending seems out of place.)
This is a really easy way to keep an eye on your transactions, because every time you visit lovemoney.com to read our articles, you can quickly log into the online banking service.
2) Log out
When using any online banking, its important to remember to log out properly, so that your details arent visible to anyone else.
3) Keep your PIN private
Dont tell anyone your PIN and dont write it down. Its also best not to use the same PIN for all your cards, and dont make it something obvious such as your birthday or 1234.
4) Shield your PIN
Always cover your PIN when youre using a cash machine or Chip & PIN device in a shop. That way you will shield your number from prying eyes and hidden cameras.
5) Dont give out details
Never give out your personal details on the phone or by email unless you know exactly who you are dealing with and you know they are from a legitimate organisation. If you have received a phone call, it can be a good idea to hang up and phone back yourself.
6) Be wary
Remember, if you are genuinely owed a rebate or any form of money from the Inland Revenue or your bank, they will always inform you in a written letter and never over the phone or via email.
7) Dispose wisely!
Make sure you carefully dispose of all documents that show your name and address preferably by shredding them. This includes bank statements, letters from your doctor and utility bills.
8) Check your credit record
Make sure you regularly check your credit report as this lists all credit commitments and recent credit applications, so youll easily see whether someone has been trying to use your ID. You can sign up to a free credit report from Experian.
Watch our video: Improve your credit score
9) Redirect your post
If you move house, make sure you ask the Post Office to redirect your mail to your new address preferably for a year.
10) Charity donations
When donating to charity, try to use recognised websites. You can find out whether a charity is legitimate on this page of the Charity Commission website.
Online massages:
You may have received a massage through your Email for which you can surely belief to be a genuine on . Recently, one of my friends wrote to tell me he was worned a South World Cup 2010 lottery and he was in the process of sending his particulars to get paid his money. As I asked him whether he played the said lottery, he reply "NO"..so was it simple that way to get money paid to him??.....
It was again scammers. Just for advise. see particulars in here.
http://419.bittenus.com/8/3/2010worldcuplottery.html
Hello, I am Miss Young. I received the following email. It is about a fraud lottery. The lottery claims that I won, but the reality is that they want MY money.
Go to the lotteries page to see more stories on fake lotteries.
If you received a similar email, you should go to the homepage to read more about 419 fraud.
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 04:42:53 -0500 (EST)
Subject: 2010 WORLDCUP LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION
From: "2010 LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION,," <vicfra@yahoo.com>
FROM THE DESCK OF
MRS ANGELA C. ELVIS
LOTTERY BID IN SOUTH AFRICA
Serial Number: 97560.
Winning Number:60/84/27/17/36
Ticket Number: B9665 75604546 199
Cash File : KPC/9030108308/03.
DEAR: WINNER,
( CONGRATULATIONS WINNER )
Congratulation you have won £800,000.00 (Eight Hundred Thousand British
pounds sterling only) in the 2nd category to the draw of South African
2010 World cup bid lottery Award International programs held in Zurich,
Switzerland. Your e-mail address attached to winning Number:
60/84/27/17/36 with a ticket number: B9665 75604546 199 and Serial
Number:97560. With Cash File: KPC/9030108308/03. In the just concluded
draw held to promote South African 2010 World Cup. We are forwarding this
winning to your notification/claim.
PLAESE CALL OR CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT THROUGH EMAIL
CLAIMING AGENT
Mr. Benjamin V. Smith
Telephone: +27-73 - 466 - 9461
Email: claimagents_directors@winning.com
Give your agent this informations for your claims
Your Name:
Address:
Winning Informations:
Telephone:
Age:
Sex:
Your Passport Photograph:
Nationality:
Company and Occupation:
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs Angela C. Elvis
(Zonal cordinator)
SOMA HAPA TENA http://antifraudintl.org/showthread.php?t=23987
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1607266
This is an internet scam! DON'T send these scammers money for any reason.
[ BEGIN SCAM E-MAIL ]
From: Congratulation Congratulation <congratulation_congratulation88@msn.com>
Subject: Congratulation" Congratulation"Congratulation" Congratulation
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:09:28 +0000 (11:09 EDT)
YAHOO INTERNET AWARDS 2009
Yahoo Awards Center
124 Stockport Road, Longsight,
London M60 2DB
United Kingdom.
http://www.419baiter.com/_scam_emails/0-rzx-09-07c/scam-email-048687.shtml
Tahadhali
Epuka kujibu meseji za simu au barua pepe l usizoijua na kuachia taarifa zako muhimu. Epuka kumpa mtu ambaye mnakutana nae kwa mara ya kwanza namba yako ya simu na kuachia taarifa zako muhimu pasipo sababu ya kufanya hivyo. Labda kama kuna ulazima sana, haishauriwi hata kwenye Mitandao ya jamii (social networks) au blogus, tovuti nk kuweka taarifa zako muhimu kwa sababu ya usalama wako binafsi na mali zako.
Usikurupuke kufanya maamuzi hasa unapotaka jambo fulani au kuona kama hela ipo nje nje kupata. Chunguza kwa makini, hata kwa wale wanao omba kazi kupitia huduma ya mtandao, wanashauriwa kutoa taarifa zao za kibenki nk bara baada ya kukutana na Mwajiri na kujua hata ofisi nk, vinginevyo utalia....
Wapo watu ambao wanaishi kwa staili ambayo si rahisi kujua nia zao kwako mara moja. Kuna wengi wametumbukia katika mtego huu wa kuachia namba zao za simu au kukimbilia kuwa wakarimu kutoa majibu nayaoanika taarifa zao muhimu:
Kwa mfano.. Mtu anakutumia msg..kukuuliza "we si fulani bwana..mbona kimya..??" unamjibu ukiwa na mashaka kidogo..."kwani we nani mwenzangu??" au "wrong number" akijitambulisha hata pasipo kuthibitish ni yeye .....mawasiliano yanaendelea hivyooooo mpka unaingia kwenye mtego pasipo kujua wala pengine kuthibitisha kwa sura huyo aliyekutumia msg...Wapo wengine wanatumia hizo msg kwa nia mbaya ..akiuuliza unajibu..wanauliza tena ..unajibu..tena, unajibu na tena na tena..badadae anakusanya taarifa zake vizuri na anakuwa kakupata.......
