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| Definition |
The
misappropriation of personal identification data
or documents belonging to the victim, or the creation
of false personal identification data or documents,
with intent to commit fraud***, usually through
the exploitation of financial instruments like
bank cards or accounts, consumer loans or public
benefits, or to cause harm to the victim. The
Global ATM Security Alliance disassociates identity
theft from ATM fraud in that the information which
can be stolen during ATM fraud, such as a PIN
or debit card number, cannot be used to carry
out and complete identity theft. |
| Major
Types |
New
Account Openings and Other Fraud -Misuse of Existing
Credit or Credit Card Numbers - Misuse of existing
Non-Credit Card Card Accounts or Account Numbers
- MNR - Mail not received, i.e. cards and PINs
intercepted in the post - Account Takeover - the
purchase of accounts - False applications - where
criminals use false identification documents to
open a genuine account -Address Fraud - involving
mail redirection |
| GASA
Security Tips and Best Practices |
Immediately
report any lost or misplaced identity documents,
credit cards or any other identity type documents.
When using a credit card, have the transaction
done in your presence, even if means you need
to follow the waiter for e.g. to the pay point. |
| Countermeasures |
 |
There
are many institutions that record stolen or misplaced
identity documents e.g. South African Fraud Prevention
Services has a section called Protective Registration.
This is a free service supplied to the public
to record their lost or misplaced identification
documents. These entries are also then checked
via the fraud database in real time in case these
documents are used to transact. If a positive
match is found, the owner and the institution
are notified. |
| |
Other
useful URL’s you can visit are
http://www.safps.org.za
http://www.identity-theft.org.uk
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html
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