Identity theft on the Internet is occurring at alarming rates.

Advancement in technology is being misused by fraudsters to devise novel methods to steal private and personal information - and commit fraud.

Thieves increasingly use the Internet for this crime by using Internet chat rooms to spread 'Trojan horses' and drop 'keyloggers'. This is a type of malicious software capable of recording each stroke typed on the keyboard of an infected computer.

The strokes are logged to make a file. This file is then automatically transmitted back to the thief's computer.

Identity theft on the Internet has become common since more consumers are becoming comfortable in providing their personal information to online businesses. While most online businesses do operate a safe and secure business, consumers often don't know who is legitimate and who is an ID thief.

Email 'phishing' is a popular way used by ID thieves to steal personal information. In 'phishing' the thief sends out an email that appears to be coming from a legitimate organization. The site in fact is bogus but uses a facade deceptively similar to the site of some famous and legitimate organization.

This email may ask for personal information to be provided by filling out a short form, which is sent as an attachment. Or, it may provide directions for visiting another site where the scam may require surrendering sensitive information like bank account numbers, credit card numbers, social security numbers, passwords, etc. The reason given is for the purpose of "confirming your security".

Identity theft on the Internet is not the only way identities are stolen. There have been instances where thieves have used bugs planted in a point of sale terminal in malls.

Taking advantage of wireless technology, thieves steal PIN numbers related to bank accounts - and work to wipe the account clean.

Jet paced modern living and our compulsion for extensive Internet usage in our day-to-day activities is exposing more people to the various forms of identity theft on the Internet.

Each day scores of people are swindled out of thousands of dollars through identity theft on the Internet. It's a sad fact, but very real.

The Nigerian email scam has been going on since early 1980s. It is estimated that billions of dollars have been lost in this one 'obvious and well publicized' scam. It is commonly known as the '419 Fraud' in reference to an earlier fraud related provision in the Criminal Code of Nigeria.

However, this scam is commonly referred to by law enforcement, including the Nigerians, as '419'. The 419 fraud has innumerable facets and usually begins from an unsolicited email. The promise of riches feed on the greed of the average consumer, and for anyone who is currently down on his luck - the letter tugs as him as a possible way out of his current financial crisis.

Unfortunately, the scam always ends in the consumer being taken advantage of, sometimes to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars.

» Identity Theft Using Credit Cards - Who’s Been Using My Card?
Identity theft using credit cards is a common practice of ID thieves. Unfortunately, a credit card can be opened in your name by providing only a few verifiable details.

» Identity Theft Worksheets - Highly Useful Tools!
Identity theft worksheets provide the average consumer with the means of learning how to prevent becoming a victim of ID theft, or what to do after you discover your information is stolen.

» Three Types of Identity Theft - Creative Fraud Alert!
There are essentially three types of identity theft. ID thieves are quite resourceful in how they make use of your personal and financial information for their own gain.

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