Instructor Mary Villani Classes SBF 5 01 02

Instructor: Mary Villani Classes: SBF 5 -01, 02, 03, 04, 05

Identity Theft • Identity theft is when a person steals or uses another person’s identification, such as their name, address, social security, etc, without permission, to do illegal activity that violates constitutional law • In America, identity theft is a crime that is quickly growing throughout the nation. • In 2004, almost 10 million people were a victim of identity theft • This means that about 1 in every 4 American households has been a victim to this crime

Problem ª Identity theft is the deceitful use of a person’s identification, essentially for illegal goals. ª Identity thieves can look through a potential victim’s disposed mail to obtain the needed information to use the victim’s identity to their advantage. ª Usually, identity thieves uses their victim’s social security number, date of birth or account number to obtain new credit cards or charge existing credit card accounts. They could then withdraw a large sum of money or leave the victim with an unpaid bill.

Problem • Because personal information isn’t unique, like our fingerprints, anybody can access our information • Criminals have access through our mail, by listening to us behind our backs, and even tracking us down through the internet to get our personal information • With enough information on us, criminals can start using our identification to get loans, bank accounts, and credit card accounts.

Problem • A study conducted in July 2003 by Gartner Research and Harris Interactive, found that around 7 million people were victims of identity theft in the last year. This means 19, 178 thefts per day, 799 thefts per hour, and 13. 3 thefts per minute. • An Identity Theft Resource Center (IRTC) shows that businesses lose from $40, 000 - $92, 000 per name in fraudulent charges. • In 2005, Better Business Bureau and Javelin Strategy & Research concluded that the number of Americans affected by identity theft had increased to over 9. 3 million. The amount businesses lost, had increased to $52. 6 billion.

Survey Questions For each of the following, please circle and/or fill in the blank with the best answers Male/Female Teen 14 -19 Young Adult 20 -40 Where do you live? City Middle Age 41 -59 Suburbs Senior 60 & up Rural State where you live _____________ Estimated annual personal income __________ Estimated annual family income ____________ Race: (Circle one) Hispanic Here White - non-Hispanic Asian - Pacific Islander American Indian/Native American Have You been a victim of identity theft? Black - non- Hispanic/Latino Not Listed Yes / No

Survey Questions Please rate each of the following questions on a scale from 1 -5 1=strongly disagree 2=somewhat disagree 3=neutral 4=somewhat agree 5=strongly agree 1) Identity theft can never happen to me 2) I am confident that my credit card company provides protection against identity theft. 3) I feel that Identity theft is a growing problem in America. 4) I feel safe giving out personal information over the telephone. 5) I feel comfortable releasing personal information on the internet. 6) I take precautions to protect myself against identity theft. 7) I feel confident that the US government is taking the proper precautions to protect me against identity theft. 8) I am aware of the various ways my identity can be stolen. 9) I carefully monitor my financial transactions. 10) The government should punish those convicted of identity theft more severely. 11) New technologies are increasing the rate of identity theft.

Survey: Question 1 Identity theft can never happen to me. New York East Coast Middle America West Coast East, Mid, West 1 556 46 298 2 332 215 16 47 214 3 264 190 12 8 135 4 280 117 22 6 111 5 242 77 20 12 204 178 6 for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast: ª the differences in results for NY, East Coast, Middle p = 2. 1497 x 10 -11 America, and West Coast are statistically significant, x 2 = 76. 23007084 but they were not significant for the combination of East, Middle, and West for NY & East + Middle + West: ª the majority of people in the US believe that identity t = 1. 70788 theft could happen to them p =. 0878200658 ª many people still believe, however, that identity theft x 1 = 2. 593787336 could never happen to them x 2 = 2. 697505198 CONCLUSIONS:

Survey: Question 1 Identity theft can never happen to me. ADDITIONAL CONCLUSIONS: ª 53% of New Yorkers feel that identity theft can happen to them ª 52% of Americans on the East Coast feel that identity theft can happen to them ª 53% of Americans in Middle America feel that identity theft can happen to them ª 65% of Americans on the West Coast feel that identity theft can happen to them ª 53% of all Americans survey feel that identity theft can happen to them

Survey: Question 2 I am confident that my credit card company provides protection against identity theft. New York East Coast Mid America West Coast East, Mid, West 1 198 6 151 2 264 129 28 16 82 3 353 39 32 15 281 4 399 223 21 26 184 CONCLUSIONS: ª we have a statistically significant difference in the distribution between the values. ª There is a statistically significant difference between the opinions of those living in NYS and the rest of the country. ªThose in NYS disagree more that credit card companies provide protection against identity theft. 5 223 144 8 19 55 45 2 for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast: p = 1. 53257 x 10 -12 x 2 = 82. 25155605 for NY & East + Middle + West: t = 4. 42310 p = 1. 04465 x 10 -5 x 1 = 3. 621731551 x 2 = 3. 527173913

Survey: Question 2 I am confident that my credit card company provides protection against identity theft. ADDITIONAL CONCLUSIONS: ª 28. 5% of New Yorkers do not feel their credit card companies provide protection against identity theft ª 29% of Americans on the East Coast do not feel that their credit card companies provides protection against identity theft ª 35. 8% of Americans in Middle America do not feel that their credit card companies provides protection against identity theft ª 39. 7% of Americans on the West Coast do not feel that their credit card companies provides protection against identity theft ª 30. 9% of all Americans surveyed do not feel that their credit card companies provide protection against identity theft

Survey: Question 3 I feel that identity theft is a growing problem in America. New York East Coast Middle America West Coast East, Mid, West 1 102 25 7 6 38 2 210 118 12 13 143 3 424 207 26 26 259 CONCLUSIONS: ª the difference in results for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast are statistically significant ª most people tend to agree that identity theft is a growing problem in America ª people in the West seem less concerned about identity theft than those in the rest of the country 4 486 215 32 9 256 5 499 182 40 2 224 for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast: p = 5. 572194 x 10 -14 x 2 = 89. 72861147 for NY & East + Middle + West: t = 2. 001668 p =. 0454587481 x 1 = 3. 621731551 x 2 = 3. 527173913

Survey: Question 3 I feel that identity theft is a growing problem in America. ADDITIONAL CONCLUSIONS: ª 18. 1% of New Yorkers do not believe that identity theft is a growing problem America ª 19. 1% of Americans on the East Coast do not believe that identity theft is a growing problem in America ª 16. 2% of Americans in Middle America do not believe that identity theft is a growing problem in America ª 33. 9% of Americans on the West Coast do not believe that identity theft is a growing problem in America ª 19. 7% of all Americans surveyed do not believe that identity theft is a growing problem in America

Survey: Question 4 I feel safe giving out personal information over the telephone. New York East Coast Middle America West Coast East, Mid, West 1 482 41 155 2 458 87 18 27 211 3 356 172 15 21 192 CONCLUSIONS: ª the difference in results for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast are statistically significant ª the majority of Americans do not feel safe giving out personal information over the telephone ª people living in NY state feel safer giving out their information on the phone than the rest of the country does 4 5 293 246 164 187 54 22 16 13 7 2 216 72 for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast: p = 1. 47651 x 10 -20 x 2 = 123. 1152056 for NY & East + Middle + West: t = 2. 93909 p =. 003333666 x 1 = 2. 652861035 x 2 = 2. 809692671

Survey: Question 4 I feel safe giving out personal information over the telephone. ADDITIONAL CONCLUSIONS: ª 51. 2% of New Yorkers do not feel safe giving out personal information over the telephone ª 39% of Americans on the East Coast do not feel safe giving out personal information over the telephone ª 72% of Americans in Middle America do not feel safe giving out personal information over the telephone ª 68. 6% of Americans on the West Coast do not feel safe giving out personal information over the telephone ª 43. 3% of all Americans surveyed do not feel safe giving out personal information over the telephone

Survey: Question 5 I feel comfortable releasing personal information on the internet. New York East Coast Middle America West Coast East, Mid, West 1 460 30 188 2 373 137 20 21 204 3 279 164 17 20 185 4 237 161 19 7 225 CONCLUSIONS: ª New York, Middle America, and the West Coast strongly believe that giving out personal information on the internet is unsafe. ª East Coasters statistically feel safer than the other areas in giving their information out over the internet. 5 122 186 15 20 81 61 5 for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast: p = 4. 13568 x 10 -10 x 2 = 69. 40637251 for NY & East + Middle + West: t = -8. 06582 p = 1. 286662 x 10 -15 x 1 = 2. 334792123 x 2 = 2. 781427

Survey: Question 5 I feel comfortable releasing personal information on the internet. ADDITIONAL CONCLUSIONS: ª 56. 6% of New Yorkers do not feel safe giving out personal information on the internet ª 43% of Americans on the East Coast do not feel safe giving out personal information on the internet ª 59. 5% of Americans in Middle America do not feel safe giving out personal information on the internet ª 56. 2% of Americans on the West Coast do not feel safe giving out personal information on the internet ª 44. 4% of all Americans surveyed do not feel safe giving out personal information on the internet

Survey: Question 6 I take precautions to protect myself against identity theft. New York East Coast Middle America West Coast East, Mid, West 1 161 7 54 2 202 31 8 16 158 3 409 139 33 11 229 CONCLUSIONS: ª the difference in results for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast are statistically significant, but they were not significant for the combination of East, Middle, and West ª the majority of Americans feel that they take some precautions in protecting themselves against ID theft ª people in Middle America felt only neutral about their precautions, while people in the West either strongly agreed or strongly disagreed with this statement; the East Coast and NY state generally felt that they took some precautions 4 510 19 6 236 5 256 203 13 14 124 92 19 for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast: p = 1. 474 x 10 -12 x 2 = 82. 33996004 for NY & East + Middle + West: t =. 9836909856 p =. 3254075138 x 1 = 3. 323797139 x 2 = 3. 273972603

Survey: Question 6 I take precautions to protect myself against identity theft. ADDITIONAL CONCLUSIONS: ª 15. 6% of New Yorkers do not feel they take precautions to protect themselves against identity theft ª 25. 9% of Americans on the East Coast do not feel they take precautions to protect themselves against identity theft ª 18. 8% of Americans in Middle America do not feel they take precautions to protect themselves against identity theft ª 40. 9% of Americans on the West Coast do not feel they take precautions to protect themselves against identity theft ª 26. 5% of all Americans surveyed do not feel they take precautions to protect themselves against identity theft

Survey: Question 7 I feel confident that the US government is taking the proper precautions to protect me against identity theft. New York East Coast Mid America West Coast East, Mid, West 1 300 37 151 2 368 74 28 16 82 3 493 227 32 15 281 CONCLUSIONS: ª we have a statistically significant difference in the distribution between the values. ª There is a statistically significant difference between the opinions of those living in NYS and the rest of the country. ªThose in NYS disagree more that credit card companies provide protection against identity theft. 4 261 182 21 26 184 5 146 76 8 19 55 50 2 for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast: p = 1. 53257 x 10 -12 x 2 = 82. 25155605 for NY & East + Middle + West: t = 4. 42310 p = 1. 04465 x 10 -5 x 1 = 3. 621731551 x 2 = 3. 527173913

Survey: Question 7 I feel confident that the US government is taking the proper precautions to protect me against identity theft. ADDITIONAL CONCLUSIONS: ª 42. 6% of New Yorkers do not feel that the U. S. government is taking the proper precautions to protect them against identity theft ª 49. 4% of Americans on the East Coast do not feel that the U. S. government is taking the proper precautions to protect them against identity theft ª 51. 5% of Americans in Middle America do not feel that the U. S. government is taking the proper precautions to protect them against identity theft ª 67. 1% of Americans on the West Coast do not feel that the U. S. government is taking the proper precautions to protect them against identity theft ª 51. 3% of all Americans surveyed do not feel that the U. S. government is taking the proper precautions to protect them against identity theft

Survey: Question 8 I am aware of the various ways my identity can be stolen. New York East Coast Middle America West Coast East, Mid, West CONCLUSIONS: 1 115 5 43 2 357 27 24 11 180 3 397 148 15 8 103 ª all Americans feel equal about being aware of the various ways a person’s identity can be stolen. ª the difference in results for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast are statistically significant 4 5 523 320 76 200 84 47 15 12 13 20 260 NY, East 119 for Coast, Middle America, and West Coast: p = 1. 2504013 x 10 -9 x 2 = 66. 82695745 for NY & East + Middle + West: t =. 0934517953 p =. 9255510395 x 1 = 3. 336448598 x 2 = 3. 31444759

Survey: Question 8 I am aware of the various ways my identity can be stolen. ADDITIONAL CONCLUSIONS: ª 27. 6% of New Yorkers feel unaware of the various ways their identities can be stolen ª 32. 7% of Americans on the East Coast feel unaware of the various ways their identities can be stolen ª 27. 4% of Americans in Middle America feel unaware of the various ways their identities can be stolen ª 29. 7% of Americans on the West Coast feel unaware of the various ways their identities can be stolen ª 31. 6% of all Americans surveyed feel unaware of the various ways their identities can be stolen

Survey: Question 9 I carefully monitor my financial transactions. New York East Coast Middle America West Coast East, Mid, West 1 165 7 235 2 207 217 11 11 123 3 345 102 25 10 252 CONCLUSIONS: ª people who live in the U. S. somewhat disagree that identity theft can happen to them. ª from the results, New Yorkers and west coasters were very careful with their financial transactions, where as east coasters and mid Americans were only somewhat careful. 4 319 217 15 10 187 5 395 160 21 12 141 97 23 for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast: p = 2. 2846804 x 10 -9 x 2 = 65. 41491937 for NY & East + Middle + West: t = 9. 280264483 p = 4. 354423 x 10 -20 x 1 = 3. 399720475 x 2 = 2. 867803838

Survey: Question 9 I carefully monitor my financial transactions. ADDITIONAL CONCLUSIONS: ª 26% of New Yorkers do not carefully monitor their financial transactions ª 40. 2% of Americans on the East Coast do not carefully monitor their financial transactions ª 22. 8% of Americans in Middle America do not carefully monitor their financial transactions ª 31. 8% of Americans on the West Coast do not carefully monitor their financial transactions ª 38. 2% of all Americans surveyed do not carefully monitor their financial transactions

Survey: Question 10 The government should punish those convicted of identity theft more severely 1 91 2 448 18 9 14 99 3 285 81 18 9 106 4 5 New York 308 470 East Coast 76 102 146 Middle America 17 12 37 West Coast 12 8 24 East, Mid, West 49 122 207 for NY, East Coast, Middle CONCLUSIONS: America, and West Coast: ª the difference in results for NY, East Coast, Middle p = 4. 2466 x 10 -13 America, and West Coast are statistically significant x 2 = 85. 15659435 ªA great deal of Americans believe that those who for NY & East + Middle + West: commit identity crimes should be more severely t = - 3. 032479919 punished, with the majority of each region listed p =. 0024872264 strongly agreeing with this statement x 1 = 3. 38576779 x 2 = 3. 581475129

Survey: Question 10 The government should punish those convicted of identity theft more severely ADDITIONAL CONCLUSIONS: ª 33. 6% of New Yorkers do not feel the government should punish those convicted of identity theft more severely ª 23. 4% of Americans on the East Coast do not feel the government should punish those convicted of identity theft more severely ª 28% of Americans in Middle America do not feel the government should punish those convicted of identity theft more severely ª 34. 3% of Americans on the West Coast do not feel the government should punish those convicted of identity theft more severely ª 25. 4% of all Americans surveyed do not feel the government

Survey: Question 11 New technologies are increasing the rate of identity theft New York East Coast Middle America West Coast East, Mid, West 1 63 13 53 2 393 28 13 12 56 3 198 37 23 6 104 CONCLUSIONS: ª the difference in results for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast are statistically significant ª the majority of people from all regions of America believe that new technologies are increasing the rate of identity theft 4 437 70 22 11 233 5 647 200 26 11 174 132 16 for NY, East Coast, Middle America, and West Coast: p = 1. 413223 x 10 -17 x 2 = 108. 1114588 for NY & East + Middle + West: t = 6. 596879255 p = 6. 545061 x 10 -11 x 1 = 4. 051460362 x 2 = 3. 675806452

Survey: Question 11 New technologies are increasing the rate of identity theft ADDITIONAL CONCLUSIONS: ª 26. 2% of New Yorkers do not feel new technologies are increasing the rate of identity theft ª 13. 9% of Americans on the East Coast do not feel new technologies are increasing the rate of identity theft ª 26. 3% of Americans in Middle America do not feel new technologies are increasing the rate of identity theft ª 32. 1% of Americans on the West Coast do not feel new technologies are increasing the rate of identity theft ª 17. 6% of all Americans surveyed do not feel new technologies are increasing the rate of identity theft

Causes The top three causes: ª Credit card fraud is the most common form of identity theft, but it has declined from 42% of all ID theft reports in 2001 to only 33% of reports in 2003 ª Telephone and utilities fraud (~21% for the 2001 to 2003 period) are right behind credit card frauds. ª Bank fraud has increased from 13% of all complaints in 2001 to 17% in 2003

Causes ªLost Items - Often times identity theft starts with a lost or theft of a wallet or purse. ªDumpster Diving-thieves may look through garbage searching for personal documents with information such as the name, address, telephone number and other private information of another person. ªInternet- The internet is also a likely place in which identity theft occurs. You may receive fake emails from your supposed Internet service provider urging you to state your personal information. ªInside Sources- An employee may look through personal records and sell them or use them to their own advantages to create new accounts. ªGiving out our personal information without confirming the credibility of the source increases your risks of being a victim.

Causes

Types of Identity Theft ª Credit Card Theft ª Social Security Theft ª Check Fraud ª Bank Fraud ª Tax Refund Fraud ª Online Fraud

Types of Identity Theft ª Financial ID Theft- used in creating credit card accounts, making loans, making purchases, etc. ª Criminal ID Theft- used in giving out victim’s information if the criminal faces trouble with the law. ª Identity Cloning- used to start a whole new life with the victim’s information. ª Business/Commercial Identity Theft- used in creating accounts with the business’s information. ª Criminal Activities- used in committing crimes with the victim’s identity. ª Employment- used in becoming employed using the victim’s information.

Types of Identity Theft ªEmployment ªSocial Security ªTax Returns ªMedical ªResidential Leases ªSecurities & Investments ªBankruptcy Fraud ªIllegal Immigration ªLoans – Estate, Automobile ªInsurance Fraud

Crime Scene Investigation ª Evidence: Physical evidence relating to Identity theft can include paper trails (financial documents, etc. ) or electronic trails (documents saved on computers, transaction logs, etc) ª Collection: Documents related to a case can be confiscated from a suspect’s home, records can be subpoenaed from financial institutions, and electronic documents can be obtained through confiscation of a suspect computer system.

Crime Scene Investigation ª Collection: Physical documents involved in identity theft crimes can be confiscated during a search of a suspect’s residence. Electronic documents can also be obtained through confiscation of a suspect’s computer. Records can also be subpoenaed from the appropriate financial institutions. ª Analysis: Once obtained, records and documents can be compared with the victim’s documents to check for obvious misuse of the individual’s personal information. One of the most important comparisons is that between the victim’s actual signature and the signatures on the documents in question.

Crime Scene Investigation ª Evidence for Identity "Cloning" Cases (where the imposter uses your information to create a new life for himself/herself) ª Social Security benefit records. ª Federal IRS tax records, state tax records. ª Employment records. ª Employee photos. ª Department of Motor Vehicles records. ª Credit history information (see financial identity theft, above). ª Credit card and bank account records. ª Bankruptcy records. ª Mortgage and property records. ª Fictitious business name applications and records. ª Business licenses. ª Passport records.

Crime Scene Investigation ª Physical evidence includes: bills, fake IDs, credit card statements, copies of forged checks, fingerprints on papers, direct physical proof of identity, record of documents, tracking of phone calls and postage and many more. ª Collection of evidence must be done properly with following protocol. For example: investigators must wear latex gloves while handling documents to prevent their fingerprints from getting onto the evidence. ªAnalysis of evidence comes mainly from comparison of evidence. Investigators must use the evidence to determine who the imposter is and who the victim is. Then they must find the identity theft.

Digital Photography ª Criminals can now use digital photography and photo editing programs to create fake IDs. ª Digital photography can also be used to create fake passports. ª Computer software and tools allow for perpetrator to alter real documents and change it to their liking. For example, he/she can use the said technology to create counterfeit bank checks.

Digital Photography ª Recently, criminals have made use of digital imaging programs (i. e. Adobe Photoshop and i. Photo) to steal an identity. ² Criminals can edit their own pictures in these imaging programs and super impose it over the picture of an unsuspecting victim. ² As a result, the criminals create more convincing false identity cards. ª Identity thieves can use the old-fashioned method of using photography to steal someone’s identity ² Cutting out a picture of themselves and physically superimposing it upon the victim’s photograph on official identification such as a driver’s license.

Digital Photography ª With the advent of computerized digital photographic editing programs, identity theft has become easier for the criminal. ª Criminals can now use new digital photography technologies to take their picture and superimpose it onto other’s identification. ª Considering this new technology, investigators have yet another obstacle in their fight against identity theft.

Video Enhancement ª “Video Enhancement” is described as an approach to getting assignments completed quickly, professionally and with the highest degree of quality. ª Forensic Video Enhancement provides business event, meeting, lecture and seminar documentation and related services. ª Production equipment consists of professional digital camcorders, lighting and audio. ª Videos can be enhanced to better view a certain area, but can not necessarily be changed as can be done with digital photography.

Video Enhancement 1. Bank ATM machines have video cameras installed to verify the identity of customers. 1. These cameras are also used as evidence in ATM robbery cases. 2. Some universities are considering adding videography to their students’ ID records. 2. Identity thieves install their own video cameras at the ATM machine, sometimes disguised as normal objects like leaflet containers, to record customers entering their PIN and to view their personal information.

Video Examination ª The basics to Video Examination: ² When and how the videotape was produced ² Was the opposing party in control of its production ² How and when did they get a hold of the tape ² The cameraman’s identity and his credentials ² Identity of authentication witnesses ² Whether in-camera or port-production editing was accomplished and how ² Does opposing party intend on using it for substantive or illustrative purposes ² Try to get all relevant footage including “out takes. ” ² Ask for all recording materials including VCRs, cameras, cabling materials, microphones, and any other materials used in the taping process

Video Technology ª The new video technology has greatly helped in crime scene investigations ª Digital video cameras are used because they offer a clarity that conventional cameras do not ª It is possible to zoom into a specific area of a digital video to obtain images that may have been too small to see in a regular format ª Surveillance cameras have also become a great help in capturing the criminals in the act.

Video Enhancement ª Video cameras and surveillance cameras are extremely useful as a source of evidence in a court of law. ª Video surveillance is often installed in places where business is conducted with a "loop time" of at least one month. ª This allows enough time for the fraud to be detected and the suspect transaction to be pulled for evidence. ª Videos provide significant evidence but the problem is that although the video quality is excellent, the suspect on the video needs to be identified. ª After the suspect is identified, detectives can use the video evidence to go through with prosecution. ª This kind of proof along with a fingerprint is very good evidence and reduces the possibility that employees would have to attend court.

Voice Examination 1. Voice examiners use a sound spectrograph (an automatic sound wave analyzer) to record an individual’s voiceprint. 2. Voiceprints can be an additional form of identification. It is believed that every individual has an unique voiceprint. 3. This added measure of identification could further prevent identity theft over the phone. For example, if someone were to call a credit card company to apply for a new credit card, the company could use voice

Voice Examination ª As recently as 1996, it has been discovered that voices can set a person apart from others as effectively as fingerprints can, because each voice has its own, unique voice signature. ª Criminals have found ways to alter their voices to that of another person to steal their identity. Major banks now use voice recognition to verify the identity of the customer calling the bank. Also, phone companies are working to install voice recognition before someone makes an outgoing call. ª Microsoft, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard are some companies that have started developing such technology.

Internet Fraud ª The term "Internet fraud" is used to define any type of deceptive scheme that employs any components of the Internet - including Web sites, chat rooms, message boards, or e-mail - to bring forth deceitful solicitations to victims, to conduct dishonest transactions, or to transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial institutions or to other connected with the scheme. ª The different types of internet fraud are: ² Email scams ² Auction and Retail Schemes ² Business Opportunity/"Work-at-Home" Schemes ª Many times on the internet people are able to access your information, they could use that information to use your name to sign up for credit cards, magazines and other things. Fraud cases reported to prosecutors by The internet Fraud Complaint Center

Internet Fraud ª “Internet fraud” refers to any type of fraudulent activity-- from solicitation to the transaction of funds-- that takes place utilizing either one or a number of components of internet services. Such frauds include auction and retail schemes, market manipulation of stocks and bonds, and credit card fraud. ª In order to avoid becoming a victim of internet fraud, here are some tips from the US Department of Justice: ² Take time making investment decisions, checking the nature of the companies in which you invest. ² Don’t judge by initial appearances, such as if a dealer seems trustworthy in nature, but conceals his true identity online. ² Be cautious when a solicitation asks for an “advance fee, ” or a payment up-front.