Plus, by gaining access to your SSN, criminals are able to file tax returns in your name, which leads us nicely on to. It’s a good idea to check your credit report regularly to make sure you have eyes on all social security numbers and claims associated with your name. Social security number identity theft often goes hand in hand with tax identity fraud or data breaches in which your SSN has been compromised. They then use these to make purchases online and have the goods shipped to a variety of addresses where they can then collect and sell the goods. These could be current accounts that they have unlawfully accessed or new ones they create themselves using aspects of your stolen digital identity. Online shopping fraudĬriminals take advantage of your payment information using fraudulently acquired credit accounts. 5 common examples of digital identity theft 1. This can mean targeted ads, price discrimintation, and invasive online tracking, which is why it’s important to be aware of the trail you leave as you explore the web. These digital footprints allow your ISP and advertisers to build their own profile of you and target you according to that profile. You may have heard people (us) talking about digital footprints, which are essentially the trail of data you leave behind you as you go about your digital day. It’s not just fraudsters that you need to be worried about when protecting your digital identity. They reported that out of these they surveyed, 84.1% suffered issues with their sleeping habits, 77.3% had increased stress levels, and 63.6% had problems with concentration in other aspects of their lives due to the impact of identity theft. Here’s whyĪ survey undertaken by the Identity Theft Resource Center in 2018 found that the impact of identity theft has far more negative consequences than just the loss of money or fraudulent activity. Your digital identity can also be sold on to others. A thief can also use your data to open new credit accounts in your name, or commit criminal activity using your identity to mask their own. Existing financial agencies or accounts can become compromised and often emptied before you have time to react to the situation, and recovering these funds is not often a speedy experience. Once someone has a hold of your digital identity, the opportunities for them to scam you using this information is endless. A survey undertaken by Wombat Security in 2018 found that 33% of American adults had experienced identity theft - that’s more than double the global average. Playing it fast and loose with your digital identity is often a one-way road to Identity Theft Town. Why is protecting your digital identity so important?
0 kommentar(er)
