Prevention Tips

Mobile Identity theft is scaling new heights. Not only this, it is expected to grow considerably. The primary reason for it is the soaring use of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. According to the statistics, there is a new case of identity theft every 10 minutes. The number is expected to grow in the coming years given the use of smartphones and tablets.

In order to understand what mobile identity theft is, it is important first to understand the concept of identity theft.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is regarded as a serious criminal offence. It is a situation in which, a person fraudulently passes another person’s personal information as his own to secure certain benefits. This private and confidential information can include a person’s social security number, credit card number or driving license number etc. As the name of the offence states, the information is not given voluntarily but robbed.

One of the reasons a person steals another’s identity is because the latter might need it to get certain services, merchandise or credit. The second possible reason is to use the credentials which he can use to run up a debt or to mask his crimes by providing false identification to the police. The information can be used to obtain cellular phone services, open a new checking account or to establish a new credit card account.

What is Mobile Identity Theft?

We use our mobile devices for a wide variety of functions. This includes surfing the web, emailing, instant messaging, paying utility bills, banking and shopping. As such, we not only share but also store a large amount of personal data on them. If your mobile falls into the wrong hands, this personal information can be misused; it is either used to steal money or to create a fake identity. Additionally, hackers can access this information by means of tracking softwares and bugs.

Preventing Mobile Identity Theft

The consequences of mobile identity theft are seriously damaging. The effects are long-term and hence, one should take adequate steps to prevent it. Following is a list of tips to protect sensitive information from being robbed.

• Setting a password on your phone is the first step towards protecting yourself against mobile identity theft. Also files containing confidential information must have a further layer of password protection. Names, birth dates and telephone numbers are easy passwords. A strong password is one that includes numbers, alphabets and symbols.  Pattern passwords should be changed regularly.
• Set an automatic lock to lock your phone. As such, it should lock automatically when the phone is not in use. In this way, no one will be able to access your phone although it is left unattended and they have an opportunity to do so.
• Along with securing your smartphone, you should also be cautious about where you shop. This implies shopping at secure sites; those that guarantee to protect sensitive information submitted to them. The website URL in the address bar helps tell if a website is secure or not. A secure website has ‘https: //’ instead of ‘http: //’. A secure shopping site also includes the padlock symbol in the URL.
• Secure your smartphone with a good anti-virus program. It protects the system for virus and malware that could possibly be the activity of hackers. Antivirus programs also include a tracking feature that allows you to track the phone if it is lost.
• Financial information should not be shared on an unsecured Wi-Fi network.
• Beware of the apps you download from the internet. The apps should be updated regularly to keep them operating efficiently as well as for security purposes.

Children Are Easy Targets

Identity thieves are continually finding new methods of fraud. A growing concern we have been picking up on recently in the west is using children’s social security numbers to conduct fraudulent activities.

Fraudsters use the numbers to apply for benefits from the government, open credit and bank accounts and even apply for loans. The numbers can also be used to rent lodgings or a utility service. It makes it important for every parent to search for a credit report. It becomes easy to tell if their child’s information is in any way being misused. Immediate action can therefore follow to resolve any issues that could be there.

When entering schools, the forms require plenty of details of the children they are admitting. It helps to find out how the sensitive information will be collected, used and even stored or disposed after use. Remember the information is protected under law, and you have a right to ask that the school or organization safeguard such sensitive information. It is a simple way of minimizing identity theft cases.

Fraud Warning Signs

Here are a few of the warning signs of a child’s information being used in fraud:

• The child or you are turned down on government benefits. The reason will usually be that someone else is being paid using the social security number in question.
• You receive an official notice claiming that the child did not pay income taxes. It could also be a claim that the social security number has been used on a different tax return.
• You get bills or collection calls for services and products that you never received. They are all telltale signs that something is very wrong.

How to Prevent Child Fraud

There are several ways you can use to protect your child’s identity from being misused in fraud. You can start by finding a safe and secure location or storage for electronic records and papers which contain all personal details of the child. It minimizes the risk of the documents falling into the wrong hands.

Ensure that you do not share the Social Security Number of your child with anyone unless it is a party that you trust fully. You should find out why such details are needed and how they will be protected from any form of circulation. If there is an alternative identifier, you can see if it is possible to use that one. You can also ask (at least in some countries) that only a few digits of the number be used.

If any documents containing the personal information of the child become invalid or are of no use any longer, shred them or dispose of them properly.

You should take precaution when there is a security breach at school, a break in at home or you have a lost purse, wallet or any paperwork that contained such private and confidential information.

Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) and our sister agency  Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) are fully registered Private Investigation Agencies offering private detective and private investigator services to the Private and Business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.

Is Your Child Using Drugs ?

Many parents are caught unaware when they are told that their kids are using drugs. However, if you are an observant parent, you should be able to detect the slightest changes in your child that might be indicative of the fact that your child is on drugs.

It is however important to remember that teenage hormonal changes can also bring about such changes. You therefore need to be investigative before attacking the child for substance use.

Marijuana is increasingly a readily available and affordable drug for many teenagers. Some of the children might also get access to alcohol and heavier drugs such as heroin.

The Signs and Symptoms

When your child is abusing alcohol or drugs such as marijuana and heroin, there are signals that will tell you early something is amiss. By evaluating the symptoms and signs of drug abuse, you should be in a position to tell if there are any risks.

• Missing money around the house or from your wallet or you might have noticed that the child is constantly asking for money. When an addiction is setting in, they will do anything to find money to go buy what they need.
• Excessive use of mouthwash or mint to cover up the smell of drugs or alcohol is another sign. You might also notice that the child has a sudden craving for sweets indicating typical drug use swings.
• To hide dilated pupils and bloodshot eyes, most children will be using eye drops more frequently. They might also start sporting sunglasses in an effort to hide these symptoms. The dilated pupils and red eyes are usual effects of marijuana use. Some will start pulling their head caps lower to hide their eyes.
• Change in behavior is another sign that something could be wrong. Some will change their appearance, most probably to fit into the groups they are in. Some of the children will also tend to be ruder and more rebellious than usual. They might also require that you pay them before they can help with any chores around the house.
• Dropping school grades can also indicate that something is not right. This is usually because they don’t concentrate in class or they are too occupied with other things they find more interesting.
• Altered sleeping and eating habits are also very common in children abusing drugs. You might notice that they are sleeping more as a result of depressant drug use and have a reduced appetite. Some of them might end up with decreased sleep as a result of the stimulants they are under.
• You might notice that your child’s bedroom is off limits strictly because they do not want you to find out what they are doing. They will also use sweet fragrances and perfumes to hide the smell of drugs and alcohol. Some will go for other materials that can evoke the high feeling. You therefore might find in their possession hairsprays, nail polish remover, nail polish and computer cleanser among other inhalants.

Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) and our sister agency  Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) are fully registered Private Investigation Agencies offering private detective and private investigator services to the Private and Business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.

What is a Ponzi Scheme?

Charles Ponzi is infamous for scamming people. It is for this reason that fake schemes are often named after him. Ponzi would collect money from individuals in the name of investing in his own business. He would then pay investors high interest payments using the money obtained from new investors.

This type of investment fraud was one of the first and possibly due to its simplicity soon gained immense popularity with scammers.

Today, there are many variations of the Ponzi schemes, but they can be pretty hard to identify. Many people have continually fallen victim to these financial entrapments. The schemes lead to huge financial losses to the unsuspecting interested investors.

This makes it very important to be skeptical about any investment opportunity that is being sold to you. This should include anything that a family member or friend is trying to get you into. When you are cautious enough to conduct a research, you will be sure about what exactly you are betting your money on.  A few steps can help you in recognizing and avoiding a Ponzi scheme.

Check out Credentials

A background check of the individual approaching you with the investment idea is paramount in identifying a Ponzi scheme. You can look up the company details including registration and the years of existence. Brokers usually have business numbers and you can check them to see their records. It is a simple way to avoid being trapped by fraudulent schemes.

Use an Attorney

A contract is the most important document in any transaction or agreement. Since you might not be very familiar with everything entailing a contract, an attorney will help with the evaluation. It is important to avoid any transaction until your attorney has analyzed the contracts and given you the go ahead. A good attorney will pick anything fishy from the deal saving you lots of disappointments.

Be Cautious with Custodians

A broker who maintains investment accounts is referred to as a custodian. In a case where you are asked to direct a cheque in his name, you can be reasonably assured that something is wrong with the deal. A good deal will require you to direct a cheque to the rightful and legitimate custodial firm and not an individual.

Understand the Investment

Conmen (and women) are very clever with their words and investment explanations. You therefore need to be very careful in understanding the investment and how it works. If it appears too complicated for you to understand or if you feel it is being explained in a rush, then it could be a fake. You should only hand your money over when you are completely sure about the investment and how it will work for you.

Trust your Instincts

As soon as you feel uncomfortable about an investment idea being sold to you, walk away. When you feel something is wrong, then chances are that something is truly wrong. Many people fall victims to the Ponzi schemes for ignoring their first instincts. Always trust your gut feeling when making an investment.

Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) and our sister agency  Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) are fully registered Private Investigation Agencies offering private detective and private investigator services to the Private and Business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.