During the past two weeks I have spoken with a number of victims of identity theft and credit card fraud (skimming). In each conversation we discussed how the victim was targeted and where their information was compromised. One victim was unsure where the point of compromise occurred, the second victim was targeted through skimming, and the third believes the information was from the Human Resource Department of an employer. In order to create the best possible chance to identify the perpetrators of this type of criminal activity it is extremely important to determine the original point of compromise where your information was stolen or obtained.

This element of the case not only provides specific clues to who the perpetrator is but also can be utilized to identify other possible victims which in turn can lead law enforcement to other locations where the information may have been utilized to gain credit in the victim’s name. For that matter it is extremely important to closely monitor your expenditures and credit card statements so that you can immediately recognize unauthorized activity on your account. The quicker a victim realizes they have been targeted the faster law enforcement can begin to identify the potential point of compromise.

Throughout our entire lives we are taught to protect our Good Name and our credit score. In fact it could be said that two of the most important things we can have to aid us in success is our good name and good credit. Even though we know this, on occasion we do things or more importantly don’t do things that could put our good name and good credit status at risk.

For example, almost every day we mail out documents from our mailboxes at our residence. Most of the time, we mail out important documents, letters, or envelopes that contain information or other items that identity thieves can use to target us. We mail out bills with accompanying checks or even worse tax related documents. Not only do we mail them from our mailbox but we put the flag up on the mailbox to alert thieves that there is something in the mailbox worth stealing.

Everyone needs to do a better job at protecting their interest and valuable name by mailing out important items from secure places, were identity thieves are unable to steal them with ease. While it is a simple step of protection it may just be the one step that keeps us from becoming a victim of identity theft.

Every time I teach a seminar or speak to a group I am always asked about how safe it is to shop on-line.  The answer to that is that regardless of where you shop (on-line or in person) you always have to be alert and concerned about becoming the victim of Identity Theft.

The reality is that someone is processing your information and is therefore aware of your identifiers and/or credit card numbers.  The best way to protect yourself is to make sure that you only shop on-line with reputable parties and businesses that have demonstrated the responsibility to protect your good name and information.

The same is true of shopping in person.  Make sure that you keep a constant eye on your credit card and identifiers.  If you are completing paperwork for an instant credit application, make sure that when the transaction is completed you ask for the application back so you can destroy it.  Once the application is processed there is NO need for the merchant to maintain the application.  If nothing else, ask them to destroy (shred) the document in front of you for your own personal safety.

Today’s society is a convenience driven society that each of us has become comfortable with. Unfortunately, convenience and comfort can often give us a false sense of security that exposes us to increased risks of becoming the victims of Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud.

One of those comforts is the luxury to sit in a restaurant and have our server take our credit card and bill to the register to facilitate payment. For the most part waiters and waitresses are some of the hardest working and most integral members of the service industry.

Unfortunately though, there are a significant number of them that carry “electronic skimmers” in their aprons and pockets allowing them the ability to electronically steal the information that is concealed in the magnetic strip of your credit card.

Within hours and in some cases even minutes your information is downloaded into a computer and placed on the magnetic strip of a cloned credit card that contains your billing information. The newly created card with your information is then sold on the “black market” and used until it reaches the maximum charge limit.

I am often asked during seminars how we can stop or at least prevent ourselves from becoming victims of this type of criminal activity. One answer is to always accompany the waitress/waiter to the cash register and maintain absolute control of your credit card.

There should be nothing embarrassing about doing this as each of us has the right and privilege of protecting ourselves from identity thieves and credit card fraud. Another significant step toward protecting yourself from credit card skimming is to routinely review your credit card billing statement to make sure that all the charges are the result of legitimate activity.

As with all forms of Identity Theft, education, awareness, and early recognition are vital keys to protecting your good name.

Wayne Ivey
27 Year law Enforcement Veteran
Identity Theft Consultant