Articles Index

IDT Definition

The definition of identity theft seems to vary depending on who you ask. Some sources think it only has to do with money, while others have a broader definition. So, what is identity theft?

Data Breach Notification Laws

Glossary: Data Breach Notification Laws

Identity Theft Guarantees

Glossary: Identity Theft Performance Guarantee

Identity Theft - Consumer Reporting Agency

Glossary: Consumer Reporting Agency

Identity Theft Monitoring

Glossary: Identity Theft Monitoring Service

Identity Baselining

Glossary: Identity Baseline

Identity Theft Reimbursement

Glossary: Identity Theft Reimbursement Program

Identity Theft Resolution

Glossary: Identity Theft Resolution Service

Identity Theft Legal Help

Glossary: Identity Theft Legal Help

Identity Theft Restoration

Glossary: Identity Theft Restoration Program

Gray Market Goods

Gray market goods are items that are purchased by identity thieves, usually using fraudulent credit accounts, and then resold for a profit.

Nigerian Letter Scams

The Nigerian Letter Scam is one that's been around for a while. The advent of the Internet has changed the way the Nigerian Letter Scam is delivered, but it's still the same scam.

Synthetic Identity Fraud

Synthetic identity fraud occurs when an identity thief alters your personal information for the purpose of using it to gain access to information or money based on your credit history.

Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act

The Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act can help consumers recoup the costs associated with having their identity stolen. Currently, this act is still pending approval of the President.

Credit Fraud Alert

A fraud alert is used to alert potential lenders that your identity may have been compromised by identity theft.

Credit Report Freeze

A credit freeze, or credit report freeze, locks down a consumer's credit report so no new credit accounts can be activated without the proper authorization from the consumer.

Web Page Spoofing

Web page spoofing is just one type of deception that hackers use to trick people into providing personal information that can be used for the purposes of identity theft.

Email Spoofing

Email spoofing is a technique that hackers use to send fraudulent emails and is often used as a tool to collect information need for identity theft activities.

Spoofing

Spoofing is a broad-ranging term that essentially means to pretend to be something or someone that you're not. It is, however, much more complicated.

Vishing

Vishing uses social engineering and phishing techniques to steal people's identities using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone lines.

Social Engineering

The practice of deceiving someone, either in person, over the phone, or using a computer, with the express intent of breaching some level of security either personal or professional.