ITRC Predicts More Identity Theft Scams

Every year the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) predicts areas in which it expects to see increased activity in identity theft. This year, the list is long:

• Real-Estate Based Scams: Scams that target the equity in your home are on the rise. If you want or need to refinance your home, start with your current mortgage holder or bank. And use only the companies they recommend.
• Credit Card Scams: Some scams just never go away. All types of credit card scams are rising. Bogus companies offer credit to those who have bad credit, or they offer to consolidate credit or renegotiate interest rates. Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• IRS Scams: A deluge of emails that claim to be from the IRS asking for your personal information have been making rounds all during 2008. You can bet that as the 2009 tax season approaches, there will be more scams of this ilk. The IRS will never email you asking for your personal information, so be very suspicious of these types of attacks.
• Job Scams: As more and more people begin looking for second jobs to make ends meet, the number of telecommuting jobs scams will increase. Very few companies allow telecommuting and most only if you’ve been with the company for a while. Use caution if you’re seeking some type of work-from-home position.
• Check Fraud: As credit tightens up over the next few months, thieves will find it harder and harder to gain access to your credit accounts. As a result, it’s believed that check scams will increase. Now is the time to switch to electronic banking and debit/check cards. Use as few paper checks as you can.

It’s not all bad news, though. Increased understanding of identity theft is leading to more interest in the law enforcement community. Better training and better legislation will also help to reduce the amount of identity theft that happens and help victims to recover faster.