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Internet Theft. What is it? And, how can you prevent it?
Internet Theft -- an increasingly common Internet scam, one in which seemingly innocent e-mails lure victims to official-looking Web sites that ask for passwords, credit-card numbers, and other confidential information.
Internet Theft can be prevented. What unsuspecting people need to keep in mind: When this information is provided, someone then chooses your name, Social Security number, credit card number, or some other piece of your personal information for his or her own use. In short, Internet theft - identity theft occurs when someone intentionally steals your personal information without your knowledge with intent to commit fraud or theft.
Internet Theft Case Study
*Joseph Buckman, of Upper Southampton County, said someone had apparently stolen his daughter's password last year, and had been sending out bulk e-mail - known as spam - in her name, some of it with pornographic content. The Philadelphia lawyer was shocked by a sexually explicit description of his 13-year-old daughter in an America Online member profile. Buckman, said his daughter told him a few weeks ago that her friends had seen "terrible things" in her AOL member profile. When he called up the profile, he said, he was horrified. "I looked at it, and I was blown away," said Buckman. What he saw was sexually explicit and laced with profanity.
The security and integrity of a member's account is up to the member. If you should receive an e-mail that asks for your password and billing information, it is imperative that you never give that information out if you want to prevent Internet Theft from happening to you.
A typical Internet theft scam might work like this: An Internet subscriber receives an e-mail notice that his or her billing information needs to be updated, with a Web link to the billing section included.
The user, opening the link, finds an “authentic looking” Internet provider web page, asking for a credit-card number and expiration date.
In reality, Internet theft is taking place. The Web page is a near-perfect copy created by a hacker who shuts the site down as soon as enough people fall victim to Internet theft, sometimes within a few hours. It's like a complete stranger is knocking on your door, asking for your car keys, wallet and alarm code.
Buckman said his troubles with Internet theft and his Internet provider began last year when the company began denying him access because the spam sent in his daughter's name - without her knowledge - violated his Internet provider service agreement. When he protested, explaining that she was even asleep or offline when the messages were sent, he was told that she must have given someone her password or that his computer was infected with a virus that enabled the information to be retrieved by someone else.
Buckman said he installed anti-virus software and scolded his daughter, believing she had been careless. But the spam continued.
Finally, on March 22, his Internet provider – permanently -- cut off Buckman's service. They told him “it was the end of the road” he said. When he was unable to convince his Internet provider that the whole thing was a case of Internet theft, he sent the company president an e-mail. In return, he got back a form letter, via e-mail.
“It's obvious, no one even read it," he said. "They say it's not their problem – but his."
Internet security experts say that phony Web pages have become nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. "It's something that comes with new technology and criminal minds finding new and interesting ways to use this technology," said Ronda Ellcessor, a spokeswoman for the National White Collar Criminal Center, a federally funded group that tracks online fraud.
Sarah Granger, a San Francisco-based security consultant, said, “Service providers could do more to prevent identity theft. One would think that Internet providers could create some sort of capability within their software for users to see what's in their e-mail before they open it. This kind of thing is going to keep happening until there are really strict measures to stop it."
Internet Theft and How Identity Thieves Work
- They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When they use the credit card and don't pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
- They call your credit card issuer, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your credit card account. Then, your imposter runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, you may not immediately realize there's a problem.
- They establish cellular phone service in your name.
- They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
Internet Account Updates
If you receive an e-mail request that appears to be from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) stating that your "account information needs to be updated" or that "the credit card you signed up with is invalid or expired and the information needs to be reentered to keep your account active," do not respond without checking with your ISP first.
*Name changed to protect his identity.
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