Tiina Antikainen 1103920

Definition

• Identity theft is a form of stealing someone's identity in which someone pretends to be someone else by assuming that person's identity.• Typically in order to access resources or obtain

credit and other benefits in that person's name.

What identity thefts are looking for?

• Full name• Date of birth• Social Insurance Numbers• Full address• Mother’s maiden name• Username and password for online services• Driver's license number• Personal identification numbers (PIN)• Credit card information (numbers, expiry dates and the last three

digits printed on the signature panel)• Bank account numbers• Signature• Passport number

What they do with the information?

• Access your bank accounts• Open new bank accounts• Transfer bank balances• Apply for loans, credit cards and other goods and services• Make purchases• Hide their criminal activities• Obtain passports or receive government benefits

How to know if your identity was stolen?

• Frequently monitor your: Hard copy, on-line financial accounts and your credit card reports for any unusual activities

• Investigate further if you find out there is unfamiliar accounts in your name

• You have applied for credit and are unexpectedly turned down

What to do if identity is stolen?• Report it to the police• Inform your bank and credit card companies• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your

credit reports• Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been

tampered with or opened fraudulently• It is important to do all these steps as soon as you find out

your identity is stolen

How to prevent my identity to be stolen?

• Always keep your personal data private• Keep your data secure with passwords or in a locked storage

device• Never pay your bills on a public Wi-Fi hotspot

• Keep key personal information on social networking sites private

• Be sure of the applications you download• Watch where you leave your phone (Do not let anyone use

your phone without your supervising)• Make sure you report identity thief as quickly as possible (The

sooner you act, the less you will lose and the more likely law enforcement can catch the fraudsters)

Identity thefts increasing• It is important to be aware of the problem• Compared to 2010, in year 2011 identity theft incidents

increased 13 present • Reason?• The use of smartphones and social media has been increasing->

more opportunities for the thefts

2011 statistics of identity crimes

Bibliography• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_theft• http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/ab

out-identity-theft.html• http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/id-theft-vol-eng.ht

m• http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/why-id-theft-increased-i

n-2011-and-how-you-can-protect-yourself/• http://

drjonpbloch.blogspot.fi/2012/02/identity-theft-fastest-growing-crime-in.html