| Indians wake up to identity thefts, still reluctant to react
As the cyber world unveils websites that let you live a 'second life', fake identities and identity thefts are fast emerging a menace giving spurt to hate mails and even serious crimes. Identity theft remains unrecognised by many Indians, but many may already be becoming targets even without realising it, experts say. One of the fastest growing crimes in the developed nations like United States, it is spreading in developing economies too. According to a website that monitors cyber crimes, in 2006, identity theft complaints made up thirty seven per cent (37 per cent) of all fraud complaints. With extensive use of social networking sites in India, the young population chatting for hours, however is unaware of the risks involved. Sharing personal information on social networking sites like Orkut, Tagged, hi5, etc.
Identity theft lands wrong man in Albuquerque jail for six days
• Get yourself fingerprinted so that your prints are on file for comparison. Contact your local law enforcement agency. • Ask arresting agency to amend all criminal complaints that wrongly name you. • Ask the appropriate courts to provide you with official documentation showing that your identity was wrongly used in a criminal case, then carry those documents with you at all times. • Keep the phone number of a good attorney handy. • Investigate your own background to check for identity theft by accessing various online information broker services such as mybackgroundcheck.com. Locally, check Metro Court records under your name at www.metrocourt.state.nm.us or state district courts at nmcourts.com. • Report your identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at consumer.gov/idtheft, so it can more accurately monitor such crimes.
Clarification: FTC Identity Theft Story
In a Nov. 30 story, The Associated Press reported that the Federal Trade Commission estimated consumer fraud and identity theft cost Americans $1.2 billion in 2006. The figure came from the annual report of consumer complaints to the FTC, released Feb. 7, rather than the Nov. 29 FTC report analyzing FTC telephone surveys of consumers. .
Cell phone conversations may be overheard by prying ears
DEAR ABBY: While dining out these past couple of weeks, I have noticed something troubling. I have overheard several elderly people talking very loudly on their cell phones and giving out personal information. I overheard one woman from across the restaurant tell someone on the other end where her checkbook and deposit slips were located and repeat her account number. She even revealed her account balance. (There was well over $11,000 in her checking account alone.) Abby, anyone could have followed that woman home and robbed her blind. Please print this as a reminder to everyone — but especially the elderly — that conversations like this should be conducted in a private setting, away from prying ears. This has happened the last three times I have dined out, and I'm concerned for their safety.
Thai Re gains an “A-” rating
From breaking news updates, to our sector-specific alerts, you can receive as many, or as few as you want. You can even choose the day of the week to receive our weekly news round-up. All these options are available from the main sign up page. Just tick the boxes for the options you want. Signing up to this NEW service only takes a minute, just click here to get started. .
|
