Identity Theft - New Twists on an Old Game?

She applied for the job slipping her resume' across the desk to the manager. The manager looks at it and says, "We still require an application be filled out. Do you mind?" Of course you don't. It happens to thousands of people every day. You fill it out including your social security number as indicated. She may or may not have been hired but several weeks later she applies to a bank to open an account. She is told that because of 'issues' attached to her Social Security # the Security Dept officer wanted to talk to her. She is asked several questions. One of them involves the address of the business she had submitted an application to. Someone had given that same address in attempting to use her SS# yet she had never done that at any bank! Until she realized that the woman who took her application was the only one that had access to it! Now her credit was being 'flagged' because of what the woman had done with her SS#.

We need to initiate some kind of safeguards against unscrupulous managers or HR staff that have access to your SS#. (I personally now announce that once I get the job I will submit my SS# or even tell them once my income is above $600.00 then I will give them my SS#. You might get some strange looks or worse but how important is your good credit and security to you? Your family? I know several people who quote some kind of law that allows them to work without giving their social security numbers. Period. However, I have no idea what this law is. Unfortunately, its represented as a legal condition of employment in most cases to give your social security number. Or not get hired.

Another example:

A woman was given a Mothers Day gift certificate to a health spa for a whole day. She was also given a locker to put her clothes and purse in. She locked it and was given the key to keep. After a whole day of an amazing visit she went to her locker and found it partly open. But she knew she had locked it and in front of the attendant. What was going on? She grabbed her purse and looked thru her wallet. All the money was there. She looked briefly and counted her credit cards. All were there. Hmm. Strange but everything was accounted for.

It wasn't until 2 weeks later she is going thru her mail and opens her credit card bill. It has an over limit flag of $10,000.00! She is stunned and quickly calls the credit card company. They say those charges are hers. She denies it vehemently saying she never purchased those things! The credit card company supervisor is put on the line and tells her that since she is so sure could she get the card and read it to her? Thinking this is a strange request, she wasn't reporting it lost or missing, she looks thru her wallet and pulled out the card. Then her mouth drops open. Although it was the same bank and logo the name was not hers!

A switch had been made. She could only recall the time at the spa when she found her locker open but thought nothing was missing. And since she didn't report the credit card as stolen she was liable for a big portion of the money. She demands to know why they did not at least alert her when those charges were being made as she never charged that much nor ever went over her limit before. They said when small amounts are charged there was no need to contact her. Where she shopped was her business and going over her limit was handled by sending her a notice in the mail. A painful lesson to learn when you let your guard down but one this woman will never forget! (Some credit cards companies or banking institutions have 'programs' you can sign up for that 'alert' you by phone, etc. when excessive charges are being made to your card. Check with your financial institutions and inquire).

A man took his family out for dinner at a popular restaurant on a Friday night. He pays with an American Express credit card. The waitress takes the card and brings it back with a receipt. The man usually just opened his wallet and put the credit card in without a glance but something caught his eye. The name on the credit card wasn't his! He immediately called back the waitress who took the card, apologizing profusely, back to the Cashier, with him close behind her. The cashier had left his credit card on top of the counter next to the register. The waitress had picked up the wrong credit card. But was it deliberate? Or how many restaurants have 'standing room' only and a lot of credit cards are given in payment? It's too easy for a waitress to not recall which credit card belonged to whom. The man would never know but learned a powerful lesson - ALWAYS look at the credit card when it's returned to you. If it's taken out of your sight, for even a minute, CHECK it immediately! Stop 'assuming' the credit card returned to you is the same one you GAVE them! Enjoy your time out with your loved ones but never let your guard down for even a second!

A man goes to a sandwich shop to pick up an order. He uses his Master Card check card which is attached to his bank account. The cashier, a young man behind the cash register, takes the card and swipes it then lays it down on the counter while waiting til it's approved. A very normal procedure everyday all across the country and in thousands of places of business. Then the cashier picks up a cell phone to make a call. The man notices it is the same model he has and watches in idle interest. Then the cashier lays his cell phone down right next to his Master Card with the cell still open while he looks at the credit card machine as it spits out his approval code and receipt. Still nothing too out of the ordinary but then he notices there is a flash from the cell phone. Then the same little chord that indicates a picture was just taken. Just like his cell phone. But what picture was he taking while he was pulling the receipt off the machine? Then he realized the cell phone camera was facing one way - at his Master Card! He didn't say a word, but seethed with an inner fury at the gall and brazenness of the cashier! How many other people had this happened to that would never realize what was going on unless they happened to have the same type of cell phone or were particularly alert? As he walked out with his order he called his bank and canceled the check card.

Always be aware of your surroundings and take note of every move the cashier makes when they have your credit card. With the popularity of cell phones with cams these days a picture can say a thousand words or just your cc number and name. Don't be paranoid (a little wouldn't hurt!) but be alert! Never let your guard down once your credit card leaves your hands!

Another thing that most people don't give a second thought to - when you get your credit card receipt, don't carelessly throw it away! Some businesses are only showing the last four digits but some still have the entire account number on the receipts. Either keep them or shred them! Its one of the reasons that "Dumpster Diving" is becoming more and more lucrative to those thieves who know what is carelessly tossed in the trash on a daily basis! Several types dress up like 'homeless' in order to escape too much notice. Just another drifter or homeless man looking for food? Or collecting cans? Maybe. Maybe not.

Have you heard the story about the Social Security # being stolen from a child? Parents are getting their kids SS numbers younger and younger. Be very protective of your child's ID as much as your own if not more. You ARE their first line of defense.

Thieves are coming up with more and more ingenious and insidious ways to steal your identity, SS# or credit card info. If you are aware and alert your chances of protecting your identity and credit rating are much better.

FORWARD THIS TO YOUR FAMILY, RELATIVES, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND CO-WORKERS! DON'T MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM TO TAKE WHAT YOU HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO OBTAIN.